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Easiest Cinnamon Crunch Knots for Easter weekend…and every other weekend after.
Watch the How To Video Here:
Easiest Cinnamon Crunch Knots for Easter from Half Baked Harvest on Vimeo.
Hey, hi and happiest Friday! Can you guys believe it’s Easter weekend? It really snuck up on me this year and since it has been snowing all week long (ugh, I wish I was joking) it doesn’t really feel like Easter all that much. Hoping the snow clears for a sunny weekend, but either way I’m excited to hang with my family, film new recipe videos, and hopefully find some Malley’s Easter bunnies in Asher’s Easter basket (because Malley’s is the best…Ohio people you know what I’m talking about).
In other very random news, my favorite vegan, legit personal stylist, HBH’s social media manager, who is also known as my brother Kai’s girlfriend Caitlin, is turning twenty-one tomorrow!
For those of you above the age of twenty-one, who remembers their twenty-first birthday? It’s kind of a big one, but you guys, I seriously cannot remember what I did for my twenty-first. I believe I’ve mentioned this before, but my birthday has never been something I have looked forward to. Ever since I hit my teens it’s been something I dreaded instead of looked forward to. I know, I am so weird, but I am just not big on having all the attention on me, which I realize doesn’t really make sense considering what I do for a career.
Anyway, I can’t remember what I did on my twenty-first. Kind of lame huh? What did you guys do?
Also, let’s all wish Cait a very happy birthday because she’s totally going to be reading the comments!
Double also, I should probably make her a vegan and sugar-free birthday cake, huh? Hmm, that could be tricky, but thinking I should at least try, would anyone else be interested in a cake like this?
OK. Moving right along now.
Let’s talk about these cinnamon crunch knots, which are in no way vegan or sugar-free (sorry Cait).
I put out a note on Instagram stories this week asking you all what recipes you’d like to see. The overwhelming response was quick, simple, easy, minimal ingredients, and healthy…ish recipes. The good news for me (and you!) is that I kind of already knew this is what you guys wanted, which is why I am sharing these cinnamon knots today. I wanted to leave you with an easy option for Easter brunching and snacking, and these cinnamon knots are that recipe.
They require only pantry staple ingredients and can be made and ready to go in under and hour.
You see? Easy.
Here’s how these fun knots work. The dough is actually something you might be surprised by, but I promise it works. We are using pizza dough to make these knots. Yes, pizza dough! Homemade, quick and simple pizza dough, that is so easy. I’m talking easier than heading to the store and picking up some pre-made dough. All you need is flour, water, honey, and instant yeast. Just mix, let sit for a bit, and you’re ready to make your knots.
What I love about making these knots is that they are knots. Meaning, the more imperfect they are the better, so don’t stress about how they look. Trust me, once they bake up they will be delicious, and pretty, because cinnamon sugar has that effect on everything.
The key to these knots? That crunchy, cinnamon, sugar topping.
Have you guys ever had the Panera Cinnamon Crunch Bagels? They used to be my favorite (no Paneras up here), and their crunchy topping inspired the topping on these knots. You guys, the topping takes these cinnamon knots to another level. SO delicious.
And guys? That’s it. So simple, but so, so, so good. There’s not a person in the world that would not like these (well, there may be people who wouldn’t eat these, but everyone would like these). I mean, they’re just such a classic pairing that truly can do no wrong, you know?
Make these for Easter this week, but be sure to keep the recipe in your back pocket to liven up your weekends ahead!
Easiest Cinnamon Crunch Knots
Servings: 12 knots
Calories Per Serving: 274 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 – 3 cups white whole wheat or all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast (see notes for no yeast option)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup warm water or warm milk
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 7 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Glaze (optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, the instant yeast, and salt. Add the milk or water, honey, and 1 tablespoon butter. Knead on medium speed until the dough comes together, 1-2 minutes, adding in additional flour, as needed, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour.2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. In a bowl, combine the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.4. On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, adding flour to the dough if it is sticky. Spread the dough with 4 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Fold the dough in half and cut into 12 strips. Twist each strip and then tie into a loose knot, it doesn't need to be perfect. Place on the prepared baking sheet. 5. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir the melted butter together with the remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon and the brown sugar. Spoon clumps of the brown sugar mix over the knots (see above photo). This is going to be your "crunch" layer. 6. Transfer to the oven and bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and working quickly, carefully spoon any of the brown sugar that has melted off back over the rolls. It doesn't need to look perfect. Return to the oven and continue baking another 8-10 minutes, until golden. 7. Meanwhile, make the Glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth and combined. If needed, thin the glaze by adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. 8. Drizzle glaze over the knots, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
No Yeast Option: If you do not have access to yeast or simply cannot use, you can omit the yeast and instead use 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon baking soda, added with the flour. You can skip the rising and instead just let the dough rest 30 minutes, then roll, rest again another 15-20 minutes, then bake. The rolls will be a little less fluffy, but will be great!
The most perfect, imperfect cinnamon knot.
PS. see you guys tomorrow for a new Easter cocktail!
This post was originally published on March 30, 2018
So simple and delicious, perfect for guests.
Thank you so much Natalie! xTieghan
I see you said to add the yeast to the water etc. if you use dry active yeast instead of the instant, but do you also have to change the amount?
Hi Megan! I am not sure what you are asking, but if you are using active dry yeast I would recommend the following: add the yeast to the warm water with the honey and let it sit 5-10 minutes until the mixture is poufy and smells like bread, then follow the directions as listed.
It is the same measurement from instant yeast to active dry yeast. Please let me know if you have further questions! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Hi I am making these using the no yeast option – can I still let the dough rest overnight? Or will that be too long, should I stick of the 30 mins and 20 mins? Thanks so much
Hi Mel,
You can actually assemble the knots, cover and keep in the fridge overnight, just be sure to bring them back to room temp before baking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Delicious! We used a bit of leftover pizza dough and halved the rest of the filling/topping since we didn’t have as much dough. Our house smelled amazing while they cooked, and they were perfectly sweet, crunchy, and cinnamon-y. Perfect with a cup of coffee! So easy to make.
Thank you so much Hilary! That is so amazing to hear! xTieghan
These are fantastic; everything I hoped for! Similar to a cinnamon roll, but the fun shape and cinna crunch topping are what really set this pastry apart.
Thank you so much Melissa! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
My boyfriend LOVED these. I made them once and he hasn’t stopped asking for me to make more! Eat them right after you bake them or microwave them for like 20 seconds the next day. I love how you included whole wheat flour as an option because I’m always nervous about swapping all-purpose and wholewheat. I was so shocked by how easy these were! Definitely will be making these again soon!!
Hi Sierra! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
Joy! Baking joy! This made enough for my family while being homebound. Not so bad with such tasty knots! I loved making this because every step of the way some son (have 3 & 1 dauughter and 1 dil) would come in and help!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, it’s going on the favorite list!
Thank you so much Sharon! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Really delicious and easy to make – will look to make this a brunch staple in our home for sure! Thank you!!
Thank you so much Melissa! xTieghan
A great & easy recipe for our Easter morning!
We loved that with a little effort & some twists, they turned out beautifully. Thank you!
Thank you Lauren! xTieghan
I made these this morning, and they were so delicious! I made the no yeast version (thanks to Coronavirus), but they were still perfect! The recipe was very easy to follow. My fiancé is a huge sweet tooth and said they were the best cinnamon “rolls” he’s ever had.
I am so glad you both loved these Dani! Thank you so much for trying them! xTieghan
These were so delicious and pretty easy ? definitely a new go to recipe!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Dani! xTieghan
I just made these this morning. They were so easy and delicious! Just like everything else from HBH!
Thank you so much Caitlin! I am so glad these and other recipes have turned out so well for you! xTieghan
These were fabulous! I made for Easter breakfast. They taste like a fancy European pastry because the dough is light and fluffy. It tastes like a better cinnamon roll because the ratio of dough to sugar crinkle is lower. I don’t like too much dough. I used active yeast and just dissolved it first in the water. Going in the recipe box for sure!
Hi Emily! I am so glad these turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying them! xTieghan
Just made these for Easter breakast and they got devoured! Double the glaze because why not? lol great crunch!
Wow that is so amazing! I am so glad you all loved these, Kayti! Also, yes to the double glaze! Thank you! xTieghan
Oh my goodness these were delightful! We didn’t have anymore brown sugar (quarantine life) so I subbed coconut sugar ??♀️ And no cream cheese. I bet the glaze makes these next level amazing.
I finally made my milk warm enough in the beginning for my active dry yeast to grow in and I think it really helped the texture of the bread.
Hi Chantel! I am so glad you loved these! Thank you so much for trying them! Have an amazing Sunday! xTieghan