15 Cinnamon Recipe Ideas Adding Gentle Warmth to Cold December Days

Holiday months feel less rushed when 15 cinnamon recipe ideas step in to offer something warm for cold days. Sometimes heading home and preparing a simple dish is just the break you need. Guests and family appreciate anything that turns a regular snack into a seasonal favorite.

A slice of apple cinnamon roll on a plate.
Sweet Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

A close-up of a sourdough cinnamon roll topped with creamy icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon on a plate.
Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Warm, pillowy dough filled with sweet spice makes these Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls a standout treat on chilly mornings. Friends gather close when the aroma drifts from the kitchen, ready to taste each swirl. I always leave a pan out for snacking during holiday card games.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Flaky Cinnamon Apple Strudel Slices

A close-up of a baked pastry ring dusted with powdered sugar, featuring multiple layers of golden-brown, flaky dough and hints of cinnamon apple strudel slices peeking through.
Flaky Cinnamon Apple Strudel Slices. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Layers of crisp pastry and baked apples lift spirits during winter gatherings with this Flaky Cinnamon Apple Strudel Slices recipe. People reach for seconds, charmed by the golden crust and gentle spice inside. I save a few slices to share with coffee as the afternoon fades.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Cinnamon Apple Strudel Slices

Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

Close-up of sliced crumbly cakes topped with white icing. One piece is positioned vertically to show its texture.
Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Gentle sweetness and a chewy bite make this Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies recipe an instant favorite at dessert time. Plates are wiped clean as folks go back for another square. I tuck these into treat boxes for extra cheer.
Get the Recipe: Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

Sweet Cinnamon Roll Cake

Close-up of a cinnamon roll cake slice topped with icing and sprinkled with cinnamon on a plate.
Sweet Cinnamon Roll Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Holidays get sweeter with this Sweet Cinnamon Roll Cake since every forkful carries cozy warmth. Kids and grown-ups gather around, excited for the gooey layers and creamy topping. I save the last piece for a lazy winter morning with hot cocoa. Cake inspired by cinnamon rolls feels like home during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Roll Cake

Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites

Close-up of Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites, dusted in a sweet layer and piled on crisp white paper.
Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Smiles show up all around when a batch of this Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites hits the table. Friends dip and dunk, making snack time fun and fast. I whip up these bites whenever last-minute guests appear during the season.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites

Sweet Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Close-up of a dish of warm cinnamon rolls topped with white glaze.
Sweet Cinnamon Roll Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Coming out of the oven bubbly and golden, this Sweet Cinnamon Roll Casserole becomes the breakfast centerpiece kids and adults linger over. Scooping up helpings usually means happy conversations at the table. I layer extra for busy December mornings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Glazed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts

Two glazed donuts topped with crumbled cereal pieces are placed on a white surface.
Glazed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Catchy frosting and a crunchy surprise inside keep this Glazed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts recipe on repeat at cool-weather brunches. Friends love grabbing one with a mug of warm milk or coffee. I package extras for afternoon snacks. Donuts with cinnamon glaze bring energy to frosty mornings.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts

Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Close-up of cinnamon rolls drizzled with white icing on a plate.
Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Stacks of these Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes brighten sleepy mornings, giving everyone a reason to rush to the kitchen. Syrupy swirls make them both comforting and playful. I prepare them when a little sweetness is needed before heading out in the cold. Pancakes inspired by cinnamon rolls help mornings shine.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

A delectable close-up of Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies, adorned with spiral white icing on a parchment paper background.
Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Swirls of spice and icing fill every bite in this Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies recipe, sparking requests for seconds. Cookie tins empty out faster than expected when these show up at holiday parties. I use these cookies for homemade gifts that stand out. Cinnamon swirl treats add holiday charm in every box.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Pie

A slice of powdered sugar-dusted pie topped with a swirl of whipped cream is being lifted from a pie dish.
Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Quiet evenings get special treatment with a slice of this Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Pie, offering mellow, comforting spice. People linger at the dessert table, curious about the creamy texture and gentle flavor. I chill slices for an easy snack during busy December afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Pie

Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

A jar labeled
Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cozy, sweet aromas waft through the kitchen as this Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce warms up in its bowl. Spoonfuls get passed around by folks eager for just one more taste. I pair applesauce with everything from pancakes to roast pork.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Classic Apple Pie With Cinnamon

A slice of apple pie on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.
Classic Apple Pie With Cinnamon. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Simple traditions mean the most during December, especially when this Classic Apple Pie With Cinnamon graces the table. Gold crust and a warm spice inside prompt compliments from everyone at dinner. I save a wedge for late-night treats.
Get the Recipe: Classic Apple Pie With Cinnamon

Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls in a pan with icing.
Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The scent alone lets everyone know this Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls batch promises pure comfort on chilly evenings. Sticky icing draws happy faces to the kitchen in no time. I bake more than planned just to keep up with requests.
Get the Recipe: Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Caramelized Fried Banana

A close up of a plate of fried bananas with sauce.
Caramelized Fried Banana. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Warm banana with a caramel crust fills homes with inviting smells during December, especially in this Caramelized Fried Banana recipe. Bowls of dessert vanish as soon as they’re set out. I use leftovers for a morning yogurt topping.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fried Banana

Swirled Cinnamon Bread

Close-up of cinnamon swirl bread slices, showcasing a spiral pattern in the texture.
Swirled Cinnamon Bread. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Slices with golden spirals of spice give this Swirled Cinnamon Bread a place between breakfast and snack time during cold weeks. Plates empty while people guess at the secret to its fluffy texture. I wrap extra loaves as gifts for neighbors.
Get the Recipe: Swirled Cinnamon Bread

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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