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.
