Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart (Printable)

A festive snowflake-shaped cinnamon roll with soft dough, cinnamon sugar swirls, and vanilla icing drizzle.

# 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

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, combine warm milk, 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 incorporate the flour until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
05 - Punch down the risen dough and divide into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a 12-inch circle.
06 - Place one dough circle on the prepared baking sheet. Spread half the softened butter evenly, then sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture over it.
07 - Cover with the second dough circle, spread the remaining softened butter, and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the third dough circle on top.
08 - Place a small glass at the center of the stacked dough (without cutting through it). Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal strips radiating outward from the glass.
09 - Working with two adjacent strips at a time, twist them away from each other twice, then pinch and seal the ends to form points. Repeat for all pairs to create the snowflake pattern.
10 - Remove the glass. Cover with a towel and let the shaped dough rise for 15 minutes.
11 - Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
12 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over the warm snowflake. Serve pull-apart style.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours decorating when it's actually just a fun shaping technique that takes minutes.
  • The pillowy dough and cinnamon sugar layers mean every pull-apart piece tastes like a miniature cinnamon roll.
  • It's impressive enough for holiday gatherings but cozy enough for lazy weekend mornings.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you think—yeast dies above 120°F and moves slowly below 100°F, so invest in an instant-read thermometer if you don't have one.
  • The twisting step is where people usually hesitate, but trust that gentle motion; you're not trying to destroy the dough, just create visual drama.
  • If your icing is too thick to drizzle, warm it slightly or add milk one teaspoon at a time until it flows like honey.
03 -
  • If you want a richer, more tender dough, substitute half the milk with heavy cream—it'll add a luxurious quality that makes the pull-aparts melt in your mouth.
  • Chopped toasted pecans or raisins mixed into the cinnamon sugar filling add texture and interest that keeps people reaching for another piece.
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