13 Cinnamon Desserts with Few Ingredients
Ava Brown
September 10, 2025 • 13 recipes
Dessert craving hitting hard but you're low on energy? These 13 cinnamon treats use hardly any stuff and are SO easy!
Mini Apple & Cinnamon Tarts
These Mini Apple & Cinnamon Tarts capture the essence of cozy autumn flavors in an effortlessly elegant package. Layers of crisp, ready-rolled puff pastry cradle tender apple slices, all brightened by a simple dusting of sugar and warm cinnamon that permeates every bite. A quick mix of your spice and sweetener is all it takes before assembling these beauties for a quick bake. These individual tarts are wonderfully easy to serve, making them a charming addition to any gathering.
Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
These Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls transform your favorite fall spread into an unbelievably decadent breakfast treat with minimal effort. Instead of a traditional sugary filling, we swirl in richly spiced apple butter that melts beautifully into the soft, pillowy dough, creating pockets of warm, autumnal flavor. A light glaze made from just a few pantry staples brings just the right amount of sweetness to balance the deep apple notes. These rolls are fabulous for a cozy weekend brunch, and they freeze beautifully after baking for an easy reheat later in the week.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Forget the fryer for these unbelievably soft and fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, baked to golden perfection for an easier, lighter indulgence. These treats capture that quintessential autumnal warmth, featuring a tender crumb that perfectly soaks up the buttery glaze before being generously blanketed in a sweet, fragrant cinnamon-sugar coating. The simple addition of melted butter and canola oil creates an incredibly moist texture that rivals any classic fried version. Prepare these the morning of your gathering for the freshest, most melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
These Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls deliver all the decadent comfort of a classic roll with an added layer of irresistible texture and sweetness. Imagine sinking your teeth into a fluffy, tender dough swirled with warm cinnamon, then generously blanketed in a tangy cream cheese frosting. The crunch of toasted pecans and a rich, buttery caramel drizzle elevate these buns into a truly show-stopping treat, perfect for a weekend brunch crowd.
Spiced Rum Raisin Bread Pudding
This Spiced Rum Raisin Bread Pudding delivers a comforting, grown-up twist on a classic, elevating simple ingredients into something truly decadent. Plump raisins soak up a warmly spiced custard infused with dark rum, creating pockets of boozy sweetness throughout the tender, yielding bread base. The texture is irresistibly soft yet substantial, carrying deep notes of cinnamon and nutmeg that sing against the subtle caramelization from baking. This cozy bake is wonderfully forgiving and tastes even better when prepared a day ahead, allowing the complex flavors to fully meld.
Creamy Cheesecake Bars with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
These Creamy Cheesecake Bars deliver pure indulgence with a festive twist, featuring a luscious, tangy cheesecake filling set atop a perfectly buttery graham cracker crust. We build on that classic foundation by finishing these squares with a cloud of cinnamon-spiked whipped cream, introducing warm spice that beautifully complements the cool, smooth dairy. The texture contrast between the crisp base and the velvety smooth topping makes every bite a delightful experience. Since they bake up beautifully in a pan, these bars are incredibly easy to slice and transport for holiday gatherings.
Chai Spice Panna Cotta with Caramel
Experience the warm, aromatic embrace of your favorite tea in this elegant Chai Spice Panna Cotta, perfectly balanced with a deep, buttery caramel swirl. This dessert features a silky smooth, wobble-ready cream infused with fragrant cinnamon, cardamom, and clove, offering a sophisticated flavor profile that belies its simple composition. The luscious, yielding texture of the panna cotta provides a wonderful contrast to the sticky, slightly bitter notes of the homemade caramel topping. Because this stunner sets up beautifully in the refrigerator, it is an excellent make-ahead option for dinner parties.
Spiced Date and Orange Loaf with Pecan Streusel
This Spiced Date and Orange Loaf masterfully blends the deep, natural sweetness of dates with the bright zest of fresh orange in a perfectly moist quick bread. A buttery pecan streusel topping provides a welcome textural contrast, offering a satisfying crunch against the tender, spiced crumb beneath. Infused with warm cinnamon, this loaf is substantial enough for a breakfast treat yet elegant enough to serve alongside afternoon tea. Because quick breads store beautifully, this is an excellent option to bake ahead for unexpected guests.
Carrot, Date & Apricot Pudding with Cinnamon Cream
This Carrot, Date & Apricot Pudding delivers a warmly spiced, naturally sweet centerpiece that proves simple ingredients can yield complex flavor. Finely grated carrots and chewy dried fruits are folded into a tender pudding base, all elevated by a swirl of fragrant cinnamon cream that melts beautifully into every bite. While it requires a medium effort, this comforting dessert is wonderful for serving a small gathering and tastes even better when allowed to set for a few hours before serving.
Sticky Carrot, Ginger & Date Loaf with Citrus Glaze
This Sticky Carrot, Ginger & Date Loaf brings warm, comforting spice to your table with a surprisingly simple ingredient list. Tender carrots and chewy dates are beautifully balanced by the bright, fiery kick of fresh ginger, creating a deeply flavorful and moist crumb. A thin, tangy citrus glaze cuts through the richness, adding a delightful sheen and a pop of fresh acidity. This loaf holds up beautifully, making it an excellent option for breakfast or an afternoon treat throughout the week.
Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Elevate your weekend brunch with these decadent Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls, featuring that irresistible warmth of cinnamon perfectly balanced with sweet maple syrup. These showstopping rolls boast a tender, fluffy dough generously swirled with brown sugar and aromatic cinnamon, then topped with toasted pecans and a sticky, buttery maple glaze. While they require a bit more patience, the glorious payoff of a gooey center and nutty crunch is absolutely worth the effort.
Soft Iced Gingerbread Cookies
These Soft Iced Gingerbread Cookies deliver the quintessential cozy holiday flavor profile with a wonderfully tender crumb. A generous dusting of ground ginger, balanced by warm cinnamon in the dough, creates that instantly recognizable spiced aroma, while a simple, smooth icing finishes the cookie with a delightful sweetness. These are the cookies that impressed the judges at a workplace baking competition, proving their crowd-pleasing appeal.
Apple Cinnamon Streusel Cake
This Apple Cinnamon Streusel Cake delivers the comforting essence of autumn in every moist, tender bite. We elevate simple pantry staples by folding spiced, tender apple chunks directly into the cake batter before topping it all with a buttery, crunchy cinnamon streusel that bakes up golden brown. The combination of soft cake, warm fruit, and that irresistible crumbly topping creates a textural masterpiece that is wonderfully satisfying. Prepare this cake the morning of your gathering; the residual warmth perfectly melts the cinnamon notes into the air.