Gooey Cinnamon Knots With Coffee Icing Recipe

Twisted Bliss: Gooey Cinnamon Knots with Coffee Icing Recipe

Soft, pillowy dough twisted into tempting cinnamon knots with coffee icing promises a delightful morning treat.

These heavenly pastries melt in your mouth with each buttery, sweet bite.

Warm spices swirl through tender layers of dough, creating an irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen.

Rich, creamy coffee icing drizzled generously adds a luxurious touch to these decadent knots.

Anyone can master this simple yet impressive recipe with just a few basic ingredients.

The combination of cinnamon’s warmth and coffee’s bold flavor creates a perfect balance of comfort and excitement.

Prepare to fall in love with these irresistible knots that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serving Up Cinnamon Knots in Style

  • Cozy Brunch Companion: Serve these cinnamon knots alongside a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a delightful morning treat that warms both body and soul.
  • Sweet Dessert Twist: Drizzle extra coffee icing over the knots and sprinkle with chopped nuts or chocolate shavings for an indulgent after-dinner dessert that elevates the simple pastry.
  • Breakfast Sharing Platter: Arrange the knots on a beautiful wooden board with fresh berries, whipped cream, and additional coffee icing for a stunning centerpiece that invites family and friends to gather and enjoy.
  • Gift-Worthy Treat: Pack the cooled cinnamon knots in a decorative box with parchment paper, perfect for sharing with neighbors, teachers, or as a homemade gift that shows you care.

How to Store and Reheat These Coffee-Kissed Treats

  • Wrap cooled cinnamon knots individually in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
  • Carefully stack knots between parchment paper layers inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, ensuring maximum taste and quality.
  • Prepare dough a day earlier and refrigerate overnight. This technique allows flavors to develop and saves morning preparation time. Simply remove from fridge, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then proceed with final steps.
  • Store coffee icing separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to serve, gently stir and drizzle over knots for fresh, vibrant flavor. Warm icing slightly for smoother spreading.

FAQs

  • What makes the dough rise properly?

Ensuring the milk is warm (not hot) helps activate the yeast without killing it. The ideal temperature is around 110°F, which creates the perfect environment for yeast to produce carbon dioxide and make the dough rise.

  • Can I make these cinnamon knots without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface. It might take a bit more effort and time, but hand-kneading works just as well and can be a therapeutic baking experience.

  • How do I know when the dough is properly kneaded?

The dough should become smooth, elastic, and stop feeling sticky. When you gently stretch a small piece, it should form a thin, translucent “windowpane” without tearing, indicating the gluten has developed correctly.

  • What if my yeast doesn't get frothy after 10 minutes?

If the yeast mixture doesn’t become foamy, it might be inactive or the liquid was too hot or cold. Discard and start over with fresh yeast and carefully measured warm milk to ensure proper activation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 12

Everything That Goes in Cinnamon Knots with Coffee Icing

For Base Dough:
  • Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the soft, pillowy knots.
  • Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps activate yeast.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast fermentation.
  • Warm Milk: Creates a rich environment for yeast and adds moisture.
  • Yeast: Helps dough rise and develop airy, tender texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients, adds richness, and improves texture.
  • Melted Butter: Introduces richness, softness, and delicate flavor.
For Filling and Coating:
  • Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice that complements sweet dough.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and creates gooey cinnamon swirl.
For Coffee Icing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy icing base.
  • Strong Brewed Coffee: Infuses rich, bold flavor into the glaze.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out coffee's intensity.

Tools You’ll Need for Cinnamon Knots with Coffee Icing

  • Stand mixer or mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough smoothly.
  • Dough hook attachment: Perfect for kneading dough if using a stand mixer.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Floured surface: Needed for kneading and rolling out dough.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Helpful for initial mixing of ingredients.
  • Baking sheet: Used for shaping and baking the cinnamon knots.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  • Pastry brush: Useful for spreading butter or icing.

Baking Instructions for Cinnamon Knots with Coffee Icing

  • Activate Yeast Blend warm milk with yeast and a touch of sugar, letting it bubble and come alive for a few minutes.
  • Create Dough Combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg, mixing until a soft dough emerges.
  • Knead and Develop Work the dough on a lightly dusted surface, stretching and folding until it becomes smooth and stretchy. This transforms the ingredients into a silky, elastic base.
  • Let Dough Rise Cover the dough and let it rest in a cozy spot, allowing it to expand and develop rich, complex flavors. Watch it double in size, creating anticipation for the delicious treat to come.
  • Shape Cinnamon Knots Roll out the puffy dough, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, then twist and tie into playful, delectable knots that will make mouths water.
  • Bake to Golden Perfection Slide the knots into a preheated oven, letting them transform into golden-brown delights with crispy edges and soft, tender centers.
  • Drizzle with Coffee Icing Whip up a silky coffee-infused glaze and generously drizzle over the warm knots, creating a decadent finish that brings all the flavors together.

Tips for Getting That Knot Just Right

  • Preheat your oven to its lowest setting (around 170°F), then turn it off. Place the covered dough inside for consistent warmth and faster rising.
  • Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the dough's structure and texture.
  • Prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate overnight, and let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking for deeper flavor development.
  • Experiment with different spices in the sugar coating like cardamom, nutmeg, or orange zest to create unique taste variations.
  • Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and swap the egg with a flax egg for a plant-based alternative that still delivers delicious results.
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Gooey Cinnamon Knots With Coffee Icing Recipe

Gooey Cinnamon Knots With Coffee Icing Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Scrumptious cinnamon knots with coffee icing deliver a delightful twist on traditional pastry. Sweet spirals drizzled with rich espresso glaze promise a delectable morning treat you’ll savor with each indulgent bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk, 110°F/45°C
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsps ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsps brewed coffee
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl until foamy, allowing the mixture to bloom and release its fermentation fragrance.
  2. Dough Formation: Blend dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then incorporate the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Knead thoroughly on a floured surface or using a stand mixer until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
  3. First Fermentation: Transfer the dough to a greased container, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft-free space until doubled in volume, approximately 1 hour.
  4. Flavor Preparation: Roll out the risen dough into a rectangular shape. Spread softened butter evenly, then generously dust with a mixture of ground cinnamon and sugar, creating a rich, aromatic base.
  5. Shaping and Second Rise: Slice the dough into strips and twist each into elegant knots. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving slight space between each. Cover and allow a second rise for 30 minutes.
  6. Baking Process: Preheat the oven and bake the knots until they transform into a golden-brown, caramelized delicacy, indicating perfect doneness.
  7. Icing Finalization: Prepare a glossy coffee icing by whisking powdered sugar with espresso. Once the knots cool, drizzle with the aromatic glaze, allowing it to set and enhance the pastry’s visual and flavor profile.

Notes

  • Yeast Activation Precision: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to successfully activate yeast without killing it, preventing dense and heavy dough.
  • Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic, which typically takes 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes in a stand mixer.
  • Rising Environment Control: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area around 80-85°F for optimal fermentation, using a proofing box or slightly warmed oven if needed.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Distribution: Spread softened butter evenly before adding cinnamon-sugar mixture to guarantee consistent flavor and prevent dry patches in the knots.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts, Drinks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 227
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 138 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 31 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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