Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart (Print Version)

Soft, golden pull-apart dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with vanilla icing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature

→ Filling

08 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Icing

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy.
02 - Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
05 - Punch down dough and divide into three equal pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch circle. Place one circle on the prepared sheet and spread half the softened butter evenly over it. Sprinkle with half the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
06 - Top with the second dough circle, spread remaining butter and cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the third dough circle on top.
07 - Place a small glass in the center of the stacked dough (do not cut through it). Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal strips radiating outward from the glass.
08 - Take two adjacent strips, twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together to form a point. Repeat with all pairs to create the snowflake shape.
09 - Remove the glass. Cover the snowflake with a towel and let rise for 15 minutes.
10 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
11 - Cool the baked snowflake for 10 minutes. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the icing. Drizzle over warm snowflake and serve pull-apart style.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in a bakery when really, it's just clever folding and a little theatrical flair.
  • The layers mean every pull-apart piece has that soft, swirled cinnamon-sugar moment you dream about.
  • You can make it ahead, freeze it, and have a show-stopping breakfast ready whenever you need one.
02 -
  • Don't skip the towel during the first rise—yeast thrives in warmth and moisture, and a covered bowl keeps it happy and protected.
  • The glass in the center isn't just for show; it prevents the middle from sealing shut so the whole snowflake pulls apart smoothly instead of tearing awkwardly.
  • If your oven runs hot, start checking at 20 minutes—golden brown means beautiful, but burnt cinnamon sugar is hard to forgive.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and help the dough rise more evenly—take your egg and milk out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start.
  • If you notice your dough is sticky while kneading, it's okay to add a tablespoon of flour at a time, but too much flour makes the final product dense and dry, so be gentle.
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