Cinnamon Crunch Knots

Cinnamon Crunch Knots are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll. These sweet, bite-sized treats combine the irresistible flavors of cinnamon and sugar with a satisfying crunch. With just a few ingredients, including refrigerated buttermilk biscuits and crushed cinnamon toast cereal, you can create these delectable knots that are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a fun dessert. The combination of buttery biscuit dough and cinnamon sugar makes them incredibly flavorful, and the addition of crushed cereal gives them an extra layer of texture and crunch.

What makes these knots truly special is how easy they are to prepare. Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls, there’s no need to worry about yeast or rising dough. Simply cut the biscuits, roll them into ropes, dip them in cinnamon sugar, and bake. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a batch of soft, sweet, and crunchy knots that are sure to impress. Whether you serve them with your morning coffee or as a treat for guests, these cinnamon crunch knots are a surefire way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cinnamon Crunch Knots are a simple yet indulgent treat that will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire. The flavor of cinnamon and sugar is a timeless classic, and when paired with the buttery biscuit dough, the result is irresistible. These knots are soft on the inside with a crisp, golden brown exterior, and the crunchy topping of cinnamon toast cereal takes them to the next level.

Best of all, this recipe is incredibly easy to make, even for novice bakers. The use of refrigerated biscuits cuts down on preparation time, meaning you can have these treats ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, a fun weekend activity with kids, or a dessert to share at a family gathering. Once you try these cinnamon crunch knots, you’ll find yourself craving them again and again.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Butter
• Crushed cinnamon toast cereal

Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, there are several variations you can try to make it even more unique or to suit different tastes:

1. Cream Cheese Icing: Drizzle a simple cream cheese icing over the knots once they’re baked for an extra layer of sweetness.
2. Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a crunchy, nutty flavor.
3. Glazed Knots: For an added sweetness, dip the warm knots in a glaze made of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
4. Fruit Filling: Try adding a small spoonful of fruit preserves (like raspberry or strawberry) in the center of each knot before baking for a fruity twist.
5. Spiced Variation: If you love extra spices, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar mixture for an aromatic flavor.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or butter to prevent the knots from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the biscuits

Open the tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits and separate the individual biscuits. Cut each biscuit into thirds to create smaller pieces of dough. Roll each piece into a 3-inch rope.

Step 3: Mix the cinnamon sugar

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and ground cinnamon, mixing well. This mixture will coat the dough and give the knots their sweet, spicy flavor.

Step 4: Coat the dough

Dip each rope of dough into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, roll each buttered rope in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, covering it evenly.

Step 5: Form the knots

Take each cinnamon-sugar coated rope and tie it into a knot. Place the tied knots on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.

Step 6: Add the cereal topping

Sprinkle the crushed cinnamon toast cereal over the knots to add a crunchy texture on top.

Step 7: Bake the knots

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the knots are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Keep an eye on them toward the end to prevent overbaking.

Tips for Making the Recipe

1. Use refrigerated buttermilk biscuits: The pre-made biscuit dough saves time and gives these knots their light, fluffy texture. Don’t substitute with homemade dough, as the recipe relies on the convenience and texture of the biscuits.
2. Butter the dough well: For a more flavorful result, make sure the dough is thoroughly coated in butter before rolling in the cinnamon sugar.
3. Crush the cereal finely: If the cereal pieces are too large, they won’t stick well to the knots. Crush the cinnamon toast cereal until it’s in smaller, more manageable pieces.
4. Add extra cinnamon: If you love a bold cinnamon flavor, don’t be afraid to increase the amount of cinnamon in the sugar mixture.
5. Watch the baking time: Since ovens vary, check the knots around 12 minutes to ensure they don’t burn. They should be golden brown on the outside.

How to Serve

Cinnamon Crunch Knots are best served warm, right out of the oven. They’re a great breakfast treat, but they also work well as an afternoon snack or a dessert for any occasion. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a comforting treat, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

If you have leftover knots, you can easily reheat them by popping them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or you can warm them in the oven for a few minutes at 300°F to restore their crispy texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Cinnamon Crunch Knots in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked knots before cooking. Simply prepare the knots and place them on a baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching. Freeze them for 2-3 hours until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, place the knots in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to warm them up and restore their crispiness.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular biscuits instead of buttermilk biscuits?

Yes, you can use regular refrigerated biscuits, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different.

2. Can I use a different type of cereal?

If you don’t have cinnamon toast cereal, you can use another type of crunchy cereal, such as graham cracker crumbs or crushed cornflakes, though the flavor will change slightly.

3. Can I make these without butter?

Butter helps create the rich flavor and texture in this recipe. If you need to avoid butter, you could try using margarine or a plant-based butter substitute.

4. How do I make these less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness, you can cut back on the sugar or omit the cinnamon toast cereal topping.

5. Can I make the knots ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and coat it with cinnamon sugar the night before, then bake them fresh the next morning.

6. What if I don’t have a tube of biscuits?

You can substitute homemade biscuit dough, but the baking time may need to be adjusted, and the texture will be a little different.

7. Can I add nuts to these knots?

Absolutely! Chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can be mixed into the cinnamon sugar or sprinkled on top before baking.

8. How do I know when they’re done baking?

The knots should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. You can also test by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when the knots are fully baked.

9. Can I drizzle icing on these?

Yes, you can drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the baked knots for added sweetness.

10. Can I use a different type of sugar?

You can use brown sugar in place of granulated sugar for a deeper, molasses-like flavor in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Crunch Knots are an easy, fun, and delicious treat that brings together the flavors of cinnamon rolls with the convenience of biscuit dough. With a cinnamon-sugar coating, a crunchy cereal topping, and a golden, soft interior, these knots are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this recipe is quick and sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or store them for later – they’re a treat that’s always in demand.

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