Inside-Out Cinnamon Twists (Better Than Domino’s)

There’s something deeply comforting about cinnamon twists — warm, buttery, a little messy, and impossible to stop picking at. And while I love a good Domino’s cinnamon twist moment as much as the next person, this version hits different.

These are inside-out cinnamon rolls. Twisted, buttery, caramelized at the edges, soft in the middle, and baked in a loaf pan so everything stays cozy and pull-apart. Minimal ingredients, maximum payoff. If a cinnamon roll and Domino’s cinnamon twists had a glow-up and a candy-scientist chaperone… this would be it.

Looking for other quick baking hacks to elevate your days without spending hours in the kitchen? Try these reese cookies, smore cookies, or homemade pie crust poptarts.

Ingredients

Icing packet from the cinnamon rolls
Do not throw this away. This is your finishing move.

1 can jumbo cinnamon rolls (refrigerated, rolled style — not biscuit dough)
These are already laminated, tender, and engineered to bake up soft. We’re just… rearranging the architecture.

1 stick butter, melted
Butter is doing the heavy lifting here: flavor, moisture, and helping the cinnamon sugar melt into the dough instead of sitting on top.

½ cup packed brown sugar
Brown sugar brings moisture and caramel notes. White sugar won’t give you the same gooey payoff.

2 tablespoons cinnamon
Yes, two. Cinnamon twists should taste like cinnamon, not like regret.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat & prep
   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
2. Make the cinnamon butter
   In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until fully combined. It should look thick, glossy, and aggressively cozy.
3. Unroll the dough
   Carefully unroll each cinnamon roll into a long strip. Don’t rush this — slow hands keep the dough intact.
4. Butter it up
   Brush the cinnamon butter generously over each strip, making sure you get edge-to-edge coverage.
5. Cut & twist
   Cut each long strip in half so you have pieces about 8 inches long.
   Take two strips, place them side by side, and twist them together like a loose rope. Brush the outside with more cinnamon butter.
6. Fill the pan
   Nestle the twisted dough into the prepared loaf pan. Repeat until the pan is full — it’s okay if it looks rustic. That’s the point.
7. Bake
   Bake for 25 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and no longer doughy in the center.
8. Finish with icing
   Let cool slightly, then drizzle with the reserved icing. Warm bread + cool icing = correct.

Equipment

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Parchment paper
• Small mixing bowl
• Pastry brush (or spoon + vibes)
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Storage & Reheating

• Room temperature: Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. These are best the day they’re made, when the edges are slightly crisp and the centers are soft and buttery.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The texture will firm up a bit, but the flavor holds beautifully.
• Reheating: Warm individual pieces in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, just until soft. If reheating a larger portion, loosely cover and warm in a 300°F oven for about 8–10 minutes.
• Freezing: You can freeze them (without icing) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm and drizzle with icing just before serving.

Candy scientist note: Butter-rich dough firms when cold — heat brings it right back to life. Warm is where these cinnamon twists shine.

Baker’s Notes / Texture Notes

• Texture: Soft and fluffy inside, caramelized and slightly crisp on the edges. Pull-apart perfection.
• If your dough browns too fast: Tent loosely with foil for the last 5–7 minutes.
• Want more goo? Spoon a little extra cinnamon butter over the twists halfway through baking.
• Swap ideas:
  • Add a pinch of salt to the cinnamon sugar if you love contrast.
  • A splash of vanilla in the butter mix makes it feel bakery-level.
• Make-ahead tip: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning like a hero.

Recipe for cinnamon twists

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]: