If you’ve ever found yourself longing for that perfect sweet, cinnamon-kissed treat from your favorite pizza spot, you’re in for a real delight with this Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe. These golden-baked sticks are soft on the inside, beautifully spiced with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a luscious vanilla glaze that makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re craving a cozy snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these cinnamon sticks bring that classic Pizza Hut flavor right into your own kitchen with ease and warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together magically in this recipe to create those signature cinnamon sticks. Each component plays a vital role, from the yeast helping the dough rise perfectly to the cinnamon sugar that delivers that beloved sweet spice balance.
- Active dry yeast: This is what makes the dough rise nice and fluffy, giving the sticks their soft texture.
- Warm water: It activates the yeast and helps in forming a smooth dough.
- Sugar: Used twice here—it activates the yeast and sweetens the cinnamon topping.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our dough, providing structure and softness.
- Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances the sweetness.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture and a subtle richness to the dough.
- Garlic powder (optional): For those who like a hint of savory depth, just a touch is enough.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice delivering warmth and the classic cinnamon stick flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet vanilla glaze that seals the deal.
- Milk: Helps thin out the glaze for easy drizzling over warm sticks.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that comforting fragrant note that complements cinnamon perfectly.
How to Make Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
Step 1: Get Ready by Preheating
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cinnamon sticks bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar and the yeast in warm water (around 110°F or 43°C). Wait about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy—this signals your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
Step 3: Mix and Knead the Dough
Combine your flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring everything until a dough forms. Give it a good 5 to 7 minutes of kneading to develop that smooth, elastic texture – this step is key to fluffy, soft cinnamon sticks.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and place it in a warm spot to rise. Patience here makes all the difference: letting it double in size over 30 to 60 minutes yields the perfect pillowy base.
Step 5: Shape Your Cinnamon Sticks
Roll out your risen dough on a floured surface to about half an inch thick, then cut it into 12 to 16 strips depending on how thick or skinny you prefer your sticks. This step is where the fun begins!
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Lay your dough strips on a greased baking sheet and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch closely—they should come out beautifully golden brown and smelling irresistible.
Step 7: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar
While baking, mix the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a bowl. This fragrant, sweet topping is what transforms your sticks into that beloved Pizza Hut classic.
Step 8: Butter and Coat
Once your cinnamon sticks are out of the oven, brush them immediately with melted butter to help the cinnamon sugar stick nicely and add a rich buttery flavor.
Step 9: Sprinkle the Magic
Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the warm sticks while that butter is still warm and melting in. This creates that perfect crunchy coating with every bite.
Step 10: Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle this glaze over the cinnamon sticks while still warm. It adds a sweet, creamy finish that truly elevates the homemade treat.
Step 11: Serve Warm and Enjoy
These sticks are best enjoyed fresh and warm, so serve them right away and get ready to savor every sweet, cinnamon-sprinkled bite that feels like a hug from your favorite pizza place.
How to Serve Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, try sprinkling some powdered sugar on top or adding a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce. A light dusting of crushed nuts can also add a lovely crunch and complement the cinnamon flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cinnamon sticks with a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or even a creamy vanilla custard. They work wonderfully as a delightful dessert alongside fresh fruit or a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a cozy, inviting look. You can stack them in a glass jar or use cute mini dipping bowls filled with your favorite sauces to make the experience interactive and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cinnamon sticks can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them soft, you can wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel before sealing.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the baked cinnamon sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. They can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing their wonderful flavor and texture.
Reheating
Reheat your cinnamon sticks in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–7 minutes. This method brings back that fresh-baked warmth and crispness far better than a microwave, which can make them chewy.
FAQs
Can I make the dough without yeast?
For this Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe, yeast is essential as it creates the soft, fluffy texture that defines these sticks. Using baking powder or another leavening agent would result in a different texture and flavor.
What if I don’t have olive oil on hand?
Olive oil adds a subtle fruity flavor, but you can substitute it with vegetable oil or melted butter if needed. Each will slightly alter the taste but still yield tasty cinnamon sticks.
Can I make these cinnamon sticks gluten-free?
While this recipe uses all-purpose flour for the texture and rise, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends. Just be aware that the yeast activation and dough elasticity might differ.
Is garlic powder necessary?
Garlic powder is optional and adds a subtle savory twist. If you prefer your cinnamon sticks purely sweet, feel free to skip it for a more traditional flavor.
How do I get the glaze smooth without lumps?
To achieve a smooth glaze for the Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe, whisk the powdered sugar gradually with milk and vanilla. Make sure to add the milk little by little to prevent clumping and whisk thoroughly until silky.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and joyful about making the Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe at home. It’s one of those treats that brings back nostalgic memories while also impressing friends and family with a fresh-baked, cinnamon-sprinkled delight. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to that delightful, warm sweetness that only homemade cinnamon sticks can deliver.
Print
Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 cinnamon sticks
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This recipe recreates Pizza Hut’s iconic Cinnamon Sticks, soft and fluffy dough strips baked to golden perfection, coated with cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect as a warm, comforting dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for a savory touch)
Topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Butter, melted (amount: approximately 2 tablespoons for brushing)
Icing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cinnamon sticks.
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring to form a dough. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and place it in a warm spot for 30-60 minutes, allowing it to double in size.
- Shape Dough: Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut Strips: Cut the rolled dough into 12-16 strips, depending on your preferred thickness for the cinnamon sticks.
- Bake Strips: Arrange the strips on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: While the sticks bake, mix the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a bowl thoroughly.
- Brush and Sprinkle: Remove the baked cinnamon sticks from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the warm sticks for coating.
- Make Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth to make the vanilla glaze.
- Drizzle and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cinnamon sticks while still warm. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, sweet treat.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is warm but not hot, as temperatures above 120°F can kill the yeast.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute olive oil with melted butter in the dough.
- The garlic powder is optional and adds a subtle savory note if preferred.
- Brush the sticks immediately after baking to help the cinnamon sugar stick well.
- Adjust the cinnamon sugar quantity to taste if a sweeter or more cinnamon-forward flavor is desired.
- Serve cinnamon sticks warm for the best texture and flavor.
