Here’s a delicious Cinnamon Pull-Aparts recipe. These sweet, sticky treats are easy to make and perfect for sharing!
Cinnamon Pull-Aparts Recipe
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or more as needed)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dough:
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg into the melted butter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture and the butter-egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s manageable.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the cinnamon sugar coating:
- While the dough is rising, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another bowl, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter.
3. Shape the pull-aparts:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it’s about ½ inch thick.
- Cut the dough into small pieces (about 1-inch squares) or tear off chunks of dough using your hands.
- Coat the dough pieces: Dip each dough piece into the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Assemble in the pan: Arrange the coated dough balls in a greased bundt pan or a loaf pan. You can stack them on top of each other but avoid packing them too tightly, as they will rise during baking.
4. Second rise:
- Cover the pan loosely with a cloth and let the dough rise again for 30-40 minutes, until the dough pieces have puffed up.
5. Bake the pull-aparts:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. The dough should feel firm but not hard. If the top browns too quickly, cover it with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.
6. Make the glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
7. Drizzle the glaze and serve:
- Once the cinnamon pull-aparts are slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.
- Serve warm, pulling apart each sweet, buttery piece to enjoy.
Tips and Variations:
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dough and assemble the pull-aparts the night before. Let them do the second rise in the refrigerator overnight, and bake them fresh in the morning.
- Add-ins: You can add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) between the dough layers for extra crunch. Raisins or chocolate chips can also be mixed in for a different flavor.
- Serving suggestion: These cinnamon pull-aparts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Pair them with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds to make them soft again.
Conclusion:
This Cinnamon Pull-Aparts recipe is a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls. With their pull-apart texture, buttery cinnamon coating, and sweet glaze, they’re perfect for gatherings or a special treat at home. The combination of the soft dough with the crunchy, caramelized cinnamon sugar makes these irresistible. Give them a try, and you’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
