Introduction:
Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls is a delightful and incredibly easy dessert pizza that combines the flaky, buttery goodness of crescent roll dough with a sweet and irresistible cinnamon-sugar topping. This recipe transforms ordinary crescent roll dough into a large, shareable sweet treat, perfect for potlucks, parties, brunch, or a simple weeknight dessert. It’s a fun and family-friendly alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls or pizza, offering a quick and satisfying way to indulge in warm, cinnamon-spiced sweetness.
Imagine biting into a warm, golden-brown crust that’s flaky and buttery, topped with a generous layer of melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar that caramelizes slightly in the oven. The aroma of cinnamon and baking dough fills the air, promising a simple yet utterly delicious treat. The texture is a wonderful contrast of a slightly crispy, yet tender crust, and a sweet, slightly crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping. Every bite is a nostalgic reminder of cinnamon toast, elevated to a shareable and satisfying pizza format.
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute dessert for unexpected guests, a fun baking project to do with kids, or simply a quick and easy way to satisfy a sweet craving, this Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza recipe is an excellent choice. It requires minimal ingredients, comes together in minutes, and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser of all ages. Get ready to experience dessert pizza perfection and understand why simplicity can be so incredibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
There are countless reasons why this Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls recipe is destined to become your go-to dessert for quick and easy sweet treats. Firstly, it’s incredibly simple and fast to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a dessert in a hurry, or when you want to involve kids in the baking process.
Secondly, the flavor is universally loved and utterly comforting. The combination of cinnamon and sugar is a classic for a reason, and when paired with the buttery crescent roll dough, it creates a taste that is both familiar and deeply satisfying. It’s a dessert that appeals to almost everyone, from kids to adults, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Finally, it’s a versatile and adaptable dessert, easily customized to your liking. You can add a simple glaze, a cream cheese frosting, chocolate chips, nuts, or even fruit to the topping to create different flavor variations. It’s a great base recipe that allows for personal touches and creative additions to suit your taste preferences and occasion. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing and always disappears quickly at parties and gatherings!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
To create this simple and delightful Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls, you will need just a few pantry staples: crescent roll dough, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. These basic ingredients combine to create a surprisingly flavorful and satisfying dessert.
For the dough base, you will need crescent roll dough. Crescent roll dough (1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough, such as Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls) is the key ingredient and base for the pizza. Refrigerated crescent roll dough is readily available in grocery stores and provides a flaky and buttery crust. You will need one 8-ounce can, which usually contains 8 crescent rolls.
For the cinnamon-sugar topping, you’ll need butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, or ½ stick, melted) is used to brush over the crescent roll dough and help the cinnamon-sugar topping adhere and caramelize. Melted butter adds richness and flavor and promotes browning of the topping. Granulated sugar (1/2 cup) provides the sweetness for the topping and caramelizes in the oven, creating a slightly crunchy texture. Ground cinnamon (2 tablespoons) is the signature spice for cinnamon-sugar flavor, adding warm and aromatic notes. Use good quality ground cinnamon for best flavor.
Optional additions for enhancing the flavor and presentation of the dish include a simple glaze or frosting for drizzling over the pizza after baking: Powdered sugar (for glaze or frosting base), milk or water (for glaze to thin to desired consistency), vanilla extract (for flavor in glaze or frosting). Glaze or frosting adds extra sweetness, visual appeal, and flavor dimension. Chocolate chips (mini or regular, sprinkled over before baking or after glazing, optional) add chocolate flavor and visual appeal. Chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts, toasted, sprinkled over before baking or after glazing, optional) add textural crunch and nutty flavor. Fresh fruit (such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas, arranged over after baking and cooling slightly, optional) add fresh fruit flavor, color, and freshness.
HOW TO MAKE “Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls”:
Making Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls is an incredibly simple and quick culinary process, primarily involving pressing out the crescent roll dough, brushing with melted butter, sprinkling with cinnamon-sugar mixture, and baking until golden brown. The simplicity of the steps makes it a perfect recipe for beginner bakers and for involving children in the kitchen.
The recipe is structured into clear, easy-to-follow steps. It begins with preheating the oven and preparing a baking sheet. Then, the crescent roll dough is unrolled and pressed into a pizza shape. Melted butter is brushed over the dough. A mixture of cinnamon and sugar is sprinkled generously over the buttered dough. Finally, the pizza is baked until golden brown and the cinnamon-sugar topping is bubbly and slightly caramelized. Optional glaze or frosting can be drizzled over the cooled pizza.
By carefully following the step-by-step instructions, even the most novice cooks can easily achieve delicious and impressive Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza at home. The minimal effort belies the incredibly satisfying and comforting nature of the finished dessert. Get ready to enjoy a sweet treat that’s perfect for any time you need a quick and easy dessert!
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating oven ensures it reaches correct temperature for baking pizza. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or pizza pan with cooking spray or parchment paper. Greasing baking sheet or using parchment paper prevents pizza from sticking and ensures easy removal. A large baking sheet or pizza pan provides ample space for baking the crescent roll pizza.
Step 2: Prepare Crescent Roll Dough. Unroll the refrigerated crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. Unrolling crescent roll dough prepares it for shaping into pizza. Gently press the crescent roll dough triangles together in the prepared baking sheet or pizza pan, pinching seams to seal and form a large, flat, round or oval “pizza” crust. Pressing dough triangles together creates a single pizza crust base. Pinching seams seals them and creates a more uniform crust. Shape the dough into a large circle or oval, leaving a slight edge for crust, if desired. Shaping dough into pizza shape prepares it for topping and baking. Dough should be spread evenly to ensure even baking.
Step 3: Brush with Butter and Sprinkle with Cinnamon-Sugar. Melt the unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Melting butter prepares it for brushing over pizza dough. Brushing with melted butter adds flavor and helps cinnamon-sugar topping adhere. Brush the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the crescent roll pizza crust. Brushing ensures even buttery flavor and browning.
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Small bowl provides space for mixing cinnamon and sugar topping. Stir together sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Mixing ensures cinnamon is evenly distributed in sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly and generously over the buttered crescent roll pizza crust. Generous cinnamon-sugar topping creates signature sweet flavor. Sprinkle evenly to ensure consistent sweetness in every bite.
Step 4: Bake Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cinnamon-sugar topping is bubbly and slightly caramelized around the edges. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and thickness of crust. Pizza is done when crust is golden brown and topping is bubbly and slightly caramelized, indicating it is cooked through and sweet topping is set. Do not overbake, as this can dry out the crust. Watch closely during last few minutes of baking to prevent burning, especially around edges.
Step 5: Cool Slightly and Glaze (Optional). Remove the Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly on the baking sheet or pizza pan for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Cooling slightly makes it easier to slice and serve and prevents burning mouth.
While the pizza is cooling slightly, prepare a simple glaze or frosting, if desired (optional). If making a glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water and vanilla extract (if using) until smooth and desired drizzling consistency is reached. Whisking powdered sugar and liquid creates a simple glaze. Add milk/water gradually to reach desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze or frosting evenly over the slightly cooled Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza. Drizzling glaze/frosting adds extra sweetness and visual appeal. You can drizzle in a decorative pattern or simply drizzle evenly.
Step 6: Slice and Serve. Slice the Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza into squares or slices. Slicing pizza prepares it for serving. Pizza can be sliced into squares, triangles, or any desired shape. Serve warm for best flavor and texture. Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is best served warm, while crust is still slightly crisp and topping is warm. Optional: Garnish with fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts (if using) before serving for added visual appeal and flavor. Enjoy this easy and delicious Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza!
USEFUL TIPS:
For a richer flavor, use salted butter for brushing the crust, or add a pinch of salt to the cinnamon-sugar mixture to balance the sweetness. Salt enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
For a crispier crust, bake the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel, or use a dark metal baking sheet which conducts heat more efficiently. Baking on preheated stone/steel or dark metal baking sheet promotes crispier crust.
To prevent the edges from browning too quickly, you can lightly tent the edges of the pizza with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking. Tenting edges with foil prevents overbrowning of edges while center continues to bake.
For a cream cheese frosting instead of a glaze, beat together softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, a little butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Cream cheese frosting adds richer flavor and texture option compared to simple glaze.
To add extra flavor variations, consider sprinkling chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of caramel sauce over the cinnamon-sugar topping before or after baking. Flavor additions offer customization and variety. Chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, caramel are good flavor additions. Add before baking for baking into topping, or after for topping garnish.
For a make-ahead component, you can assemble the cinnamon-sugar pizza completely (up to baking) a few hours ahead of time and keep it at room temperature, unbaked. Bake just before serving. Assembling pizza ahead saves time on day of serving, especially for gatherings or meal prep. Bake fresh for best texture and flavor.
For reheating leftover Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza, reheat briefly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until just warmed through, or microwave individual slices briefly. Reheat gently to avoid drying out or burning. Oven reheating helps maintain crust texture better for larger portions. Microwave reheating is quicker for individual servings but crust may soften slightly.
DETAILS:
Prep Time: 15 minutes. The preparation time includes preheating oven, greasing baking sheet, unrolling crescent roll dough, melting butter, mixing cinnamon sugar, and assembling pizza. Minimal prep work makes this recipe quick and easy. Efficient prep work streamlines baking process.
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes baking. The cooking time is primarily for baking the cinnamon-sugar pizza in the oven. Baking time ensures crust is golden brown and topping is bubbly and caramelized. Baking is the main cooking method for this recipe.
Total Time: 27-30 minutes. The total time from start to finish, including prep time and cook time, is approximately 27-30 minutes. Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is a very quick dessert to make. Total time is short and recipe is ideal for last-minute desserts.
Yield: 8-12 servings (depending on slice size). This recipe yields approximately 8-12 servings, depending on how large you slice the pizza. Yield is suitable for a family dessert or small gathering. Serving size can be adjusted based on slice size and individual appetites.
Category: Dessert, Pizza (Dessert), Sweet Treat, Quick Dessert, Easy Baking. Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is versatile, categorized as a dessert, dessert pizza, sweet treat, quick dessert, and easy baking recipe. It is primarily served as a dessert or sweet snack. Categorization highlights its dessert nature and ease of preparation.
Method: Baking, Mixing, Spreading. The primary methods are baking the pizza in the oven, mixing cinnamon-sugar topping, and spreading dough and toppings. Baking is the main cooking method. Mixing combines topping ingredients. Spreading applies butter and topping to dough. These methods combine to create the final dish.
Cuisine: American, Dessert, Sweet. Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is American in style, a classic American dessert variation, and primarily a sweet dish. Its sweet flavor profile and dessert format classify it as a straightforward American dessert. American cuisine often features simple and sweet desserts like cinnamon treats. Cuisine reflects the recipe’s origin and culinary style – American dessert with classic cinnamon sugar flavors.
Diet: Vegetarian (naturally). The base recipe is vegetarian as written, containing no meat or fish products. Vegan adaptation is possible by substituting butter with vegan butter and ensuring crescent roll dough is vegan-friendly. Diet category highlights its vegetarian nature and potential for vegan modification with simple substitutions.
NOTES:
One note on crescent roll dough – use refrigerated crescent roll dough, such as Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls, for this recipe. Do not use crescent sheets, as those are designed for different types of recipes and will not have the same flaky texture. Refrigerated crescent roll dough is specifically designed for flaky and layered texture. Crescent sheets are different product and not suitable for this recipe. Use specifically crescent roll dough for best results.
Another note is regarding sugar – granulated sugar is used for the cinnamon-sugar topping for its sweetness and slight crunch when caramelized. You can substitute with light brown sugar for a slightly softer and more molasses-like flavor if desired, but granulated sugar is more traditional for cinnamon-sugar toppings. Granulated sugar provides classic cinnamon-sugar topping texture and sweetness. Brown sugar offers a slightly different flavor profile and softer texture. Choose sugar based on your preference for flavor and texture of topping.
For serving suggestions, Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is delicious on its own, warm or slightly cooled. However, it pairs well with: a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate sauce (if not already added to topping), fresh berries (such as strawberries or raspberries), or a glass of cold milk or coffee. Serving suggestions enhance serving presentation and complement pizza flavors. Consider serving with simple pairings like ice cream or whipped cream.
If you want to make individual cinnamon-sugar crescent roll pastries instead of a pizza, you can keep the crescent roll triangles separate and follow the same topping and baking instructions for smaller individual pastries. Individual pastries are a variation on pizza format, using same topping and dough. Keep crescent triangles separate and bake as individual pastries instead of pressing together into pizza.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Can I use different types of dough for this pizza?
A: While crescent roll dough is highly recommended for its flaky texture and ease of use, you could experiment with other types of dough for Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza. Puff pastry dough would be a good alternative for a similar flaky and buttery result. Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought) could also be used for a chewier crust, but will require a longer baking time and different texture than crescent rolls. Biscuit dough could also be used, resulting in a softer, biscuit-like crust. Dough variations will significantly alter the texture of the final dessert pizza. Crescent roll dough is recommended for recipe as written.
Q: Can I add a frosting instead of a glaze?
A: Yes, you can definitely add a frosting instead of a glaze to Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza. A cream cheese frosting (recipe provided in “Useful Tips”) is a popular and delicious choice that adds richness and tanginess to complement the sweetness. Buttercream frosting or a simple vanilla frosting would also work well. Apply frosting after pizza has cooled slightly to prevent melting. Frosting adds richer texture and flavor compared to glaze. Choose frosting based on your preferred sweetness and texture.
Q: Can I make this cinnamon-sugar pizza ahead of time?
A: Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls is best enjoyed fresh and warm, shortly after baking, for optimal texture (slightly crispy crust). While you can assemble the pizza ahead of time (up to baking) and keep it at room temperature for a few hours before baking, baking it fresh right before serving is recommended for best results. Baked pizza is best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture. Assembled unbaked pizza can be held at room temperature for a short time before baking.
Q: What are other toppings I can add to this cinnamon-sugar pizza to customize it?
A: There are many delicious toppings you can add to customize Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza and create different flavor variations. Good topping additions include: chocolate chips (mini or regular), chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds), shredded coconut (toasted or untoasted), dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots), caramel sauce drizzle, chocolate sauce drizzle, fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas – add after baking and cooling slightly), a dusting of powdered sugar (for visual appeal), or a sprinkle of sea salt (to enhance sweetness). Toppings offer endless customization possibilities. Choose toppings based on your preference and flavor combinations.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
To ensure your leftover Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls remains enjoyable, proper storage is recommended, although it is best enjoyed fresh. Allow the cinnamon-sugar pizza to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Cooling to room temperature before storing is recommended for best storage practices.
Once cooled, cut the cinnamon-sugar pizza into individual slices and arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container. Arranging in a single layer prevents slices from sticking together and preserves topping. Airtight container prevents air exposure and maintains moisture in the refrigerator (if refrigerating) or at room temperature (for short-term storage).
Store the airtight container of leftover Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza at room temperature for up to 1-2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for slightly longer storage. Room temperature storage is acceptable for short term, but refrigeration will extend shelf life slightly, especially if it is warm or humid. Refrigeration may slightly soften crust, but it will still be flavorful.
Reheating leftover Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is best done briefly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until just warmed through, or microwave individual slices briefly. Reheat gently to avoid drying out or burning. Oven reheating helps crisp up crust slightly again. Microwave reheating is quicker for individual servings but crust may soften more. Reheating is optional, pizza can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
RELATED RECIPES
If you enjoyed this quick and easy Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls, you will likely enjoy these other simple dessert recipes featuring cinnamon-sugar flavors or crescent roll dough. Consider trying Classic Cinnamon Rolls (from scratch or with canned dough) for the quintessential cinnamon roll experience, featuring a richer dough and cream cheese frosting, offering the classic cinnamon roll flavor and format, more elaborate than pizza but classic cinnamon treat. Classic cinnamon rolls are the quintessential cinnamon treat, richer dough and cream cheese frosting, offering the baseline cinnamon roll experience. It’s a delicious alternative for traditional cinnamon roll lovers.
Another excellent option is Apple Cinnamon Crescent Roll Bake, for a warm and comforting apple dessert using crescent roll dough, featuring sliced apples, cinnamon, and a buttery glaze, offering a different flavor profile (apple cinnamon) but still using crescent roll dough and similar easy baking format. Apple cinnamon crescent roll bake offers an apple cinnamon twist on crescent roll desserts, different flavor profile but similar easy baking format. It’s a great choice for apple cinnamon dessert lovers.
For a different style of cinnamon-sugar treat, explore Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins, for a baked version of cinnamon-sugar doughnuts in muffin form, featuring a cake-like texture and cinnamon-sugar coating, offering a different format (muffins instead of pizza or rolls) but still highlighting cinnamon-sugar flavor and easy baking. Cinnamon sugar doughnut muffins offer a muffin format for cinnamon sugar treats, different format but still highlighting cinnamon-sugar flavor and easy baking muffin style. These related recipes offer diverse flavor combinations and formats within the cinnamon-sugar and crescent roll categories, providing a range of delicious options to explore beyond Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza.
CONCLUSION
Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza made with Crescent Rolls is a truly delightful and wonderfully simple dessert that perfectly captures the essence of sweet comfort food. This recipe offers a straightforward and incredibly rewarding way to create a warm, flaky, and utterly delicious treat that is perfect for any casual occasion, last-minute dessert craving, or fun baking project. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert for a party, a quick and easy treat for your family, or simply a taste of sweet, cinnamon-spiced goodness with minimal effort, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
The combination of buttery crescent roll crust and warm, caramelized cinnamon-sugar topping creates a symphony of textures and tastes that is simply irresistible. Homemade Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza is far more flavorful and satisfying than any store-bought version, and the incredibly simple steps make it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. It’s a treat that is as enjoyable to make and share as it is to eat, perfectly capturing the spirit of relaxed, delicious, and abundant home baking.
So, gather your crescent roll dough, butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and prepare to experience the simple joy of homemade Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza. Don’t be afraid to customize the recipe to your liking, adding your favorite glazes, frostings, fruits, nuts, chocolate, or toppings to create your own personalized version of this sweet dessert pizza sensation. Embrace the easy baking process, savor the warm cinnamon aroma, and enjoy the comforting deliciousness of every bite. Happy cooking, and may your Cinnamon-Sugar Pizza be a delicious success!
