Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart Snowflake (Printable Version)

Soft dough with cinnamon sugar twists, baked golden and finished with sweet vanilla glaze for festive mornings.

# List of Ingredients:

→ 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 (approximately 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, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy.
02 - Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate 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 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 dough and divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each into a 12-inch circle.
06 - Place one dough circle on the baking sheet. Spread half the softened butter over its surface, then sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
07 - Place the second circle atop the first. Repeat spreading remaining butter and cinnamon sugar.
08 - Place the third dough circle on top.
09 - Center a small glass on the dough without cutting through it. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal radial strips around the glass.
10 - Twist two adjacent strips away from each other twice and pinch ends together to create a pointed shape. Repeat for all pairs.
11 - Remove the glass. Cover the shaped dough with a towel and allow to rise for 15 minutes.
12 - Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
13 - Let cool for 10 minutes. Whisk icing ingredients together and drizzle over the warm bread. Serve pull-apart style.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks fancy enough to impress but tastes like a hug on a cold morning.
  • The twisted design means everyone gets their own piece without needing a knife.
  • One batch feeds a crowd and actually makes your kitchen smell like a bakery.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than time—cold dough rises slowly, warm dough rises fast, and room temperature ingredients mix smoothly, so don't skip the warming step.
  • The twist is what makes this special, not the bake; rushing the twisting step or making them too tight means the rolls won't pull apart cleanly.
03 -
  • Make this the night before, let it rise in the fridge overnight, and bake it fresh in the morning—the flavors deepen and you'll actually sleep instead of stressing.
  • Use a sharp knife for cutting the strips; a dull blade drags through the dough and smears the layers together instead of creating clean lines.
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