21 Recipes With Cinnamon To Spice Up Your Fall

When fall rolls around each year, there's one flavor that is craved more than anything else — and no, it's not pumpkin spice. Cinnamon is certainly not limited to autumnal themes, but it definitely tastes better in such contexts. The spice adds a quintessential warmth to any recipe, making it an ideal inclusion for that time of year when things cool down and a little extra comfort is needed in everyday foods.

For those looking to spice up the season by way of cinnamon, certain recipes do the trick better than others. Cinnamon can be added to just about any type of food looking to add a nutty, subtly sweet, and somewhat citrusy undertone, but it seems to be most effective in dessert recipes.

Below, a compilation chock full of inspiration, both sugary and otherwise. Give these recipes a shot and not only will autumn be loaded with cinnamon-infused goodies all season long, but it'll also be full of so much warmth that it might just last through the winter as well.

Bacon is undeniably delicious on its own, and there are seemingly few ways one could improve upon such perfection. This maple-cinnamon candied bacon recipe adds just the right hit of cinnamon-sugar flavor.

While it may seem like a one-trick pony at first glance, there are actually quite a few uses for this candied bacon aside from simply enjoying it as a snack (though you can't go wrong there). Crumble the bacon up and sprinkle it onto a salad, use it in baked goods, or give a baked sweet potato the ultimate garnish.

Recipe: Maple-Cinnamon Candied Bacon

There is perhaps no cinnamon-infused baked good more iconic than a cinnamon roll, and these homemade beauties add a special flair with which store-bought simply can't compete. A labor of love, perhaps, but their freshly-baked goodness will make any effort well worth it, especially upon seeing the ear-to-ear grins on kids' faces after they dig in.

The recipe comes together in the form of three parts: dough, filling, and glaze. The making of the dough is by far the most time-extensive, but a large chunk of that is spent waiting for everything to rise and double in size. From there, it's just a matter of rolling, filling, baking, and glazing.

Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

A smoothie may not scream cinnamon, but if this strawberry cinnamon smoothie recipe is any proof, it has a welcome place in the blended beverages world, offering a depth of flavor that fruit alone simply doesn't provide.

The ingredients list is short and sweet: Strawberries, banana, cinnamon, and Medjool dates make up the bulk. A little bit of milk will help smooth things out a bit, and then voila — a smoothie that is sweet, spiced, and all things nice.

Recipe: Strawberry Cinnamon Smoothie

Rhubarb is a summery ingredient, whereas cinnamon is an autumnal one; together in this rhubarb cinnamon cake, they make a seasonal-fusion dessert worth enjoying in any season.

Those who have an abundance of rhubarb in the garden will find a welcome use for it with this recipe, which effortlessly combines a crumble and a cake into one delightful dessert. The cinnamon adds a welcome touch of warmth that pairs well with the rhubarb, making a wholesome baked treat perfectly fit for family dinners.

Recipe: Rhubarb Cinnamon Crumble Cake

Sometimes it's hard to choose between cinnamon rolls, bread pudding, and coffee cake, so why not enjoy all three? This deceptively easy dish makes good use of canned cinnamon rolls; aside from a few other inclusions like eggs, pecans, and heavy cream, the ingredients list is quite minimal.

Another perk about this cinnamon roll bread pudding is that it wears various meal hats. Naturally, one might enjoy such a sweet and spiced treat for dessert, but it would also work well in the breakfast realm. Hey, if the craving hits at 3 p.m., enjoy a slice of this stuff as a snack — there are no rules when it comes to a recipe this good.

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

There are few desserts more rich or inviting than a custard, and this recipe puts a spiced (and baked) twist on the classic pudding-like treat. While custard seems like the type of dessert one might spend hours making, it's actually quite easy; the most difficult part is having patience as it bakes for nearly an hour.

These cinnamon-infused, single-serve custard portions are best enjoyed with lots of fresh fruit on the side, which helps offset the richness. Any berries will work here, or if there are none readily available, enjoy the spiced custard as-is; it will still taste great.

Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Custard

What's better than a classic cinnamon roll? Here you've got all the warm goodness of classic cinnamon rolls and the fusion of another fall favorite — apple pie — so there's really no question as to why this recipe is such a winner.

The apple pie aspect of the dish comes by way of the filling, which features caramelized Granny Smith apples along with brown sugar and, of course, cinnamon. Roll that filling up into homemade rolls and top them off with a simple glaze and it becomes a treat fit for fall, winter, and beyond.

Recipe: Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Put a can of refrigerated biscuits to good use with this maple cinnamon sticky buns recipe; shortcuts won't matter when it comes to the taste of these buns, which are sweet, rich, nutty, and perfectly spiced.

The baking process is a breeze. Crack open the can, bake the biscuits, and top them off with the sticky-sweet topping. Perfect for a Saturday morning treat, these maple cinnamon sticky buns might just become a fall weekend go-to.

Recipe: Maple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Monkey bread is a pull-apart treat ideal for potlucks, office parties, or gatherings where there are lots of hands grabbing for goods. This cinnamon roll monkey bread has all the grab-and-go convenience one might expect, with the added bonus of cinnamon and a sweet icing drizzled on top.

Not only does monkey bread offer a certain level of ease, but this recipe takes things a step further by putting canned cinnamon rolls to good use. Rather than making the rolls from scratch, simply break premade dough into chunks and layer them in a bundt pan, which gives the monkey bread that pull-apart deliciousness.

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Those who follow a vegan diet or avoid dairy can rejoice over these vegan cinnamon rolls, which sub out dairy products in two clever ways. First, they use vegan butter in the dough itself and in the cinnamon filling; they also utilize oat milk for the icing on top. 

Planning a homemade brunch with vegan/dairy-free friends? These cinnamon rolls taste just as good as any dairy-laden ones. Serve these vegan delights with other plant-based foods for a breakfast or brunch spread that will cater to just about anyone's needs.

Recipe: Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

Brigadeiro is a type of Brazilian food akin to a cookie or truffle, and it's remarkably easy to whip up the chocolatey treat at home. This recipe infuses classic chocolate brigadeiro with cinnamon, adding a subtle level of spice that pairs well with the otherwise rich, fudgy nature of these bite-sized treats.

Despite being somewhat similar to cookies, there's no need to do any baking to whip up these brigadeiro. Instead, make the fudgy batter on the stovetop, let chill in the fridge, then roll it up into balls and finish off each truffle with a layer of sprinkles.

Recipe: Chocolate-Cinnamon Brigadeiro

While this cinnamon flop cake is typically served for breakfast, given its similarity to coffee cake, it could just as easily be dished out for dessert with no complaints. This treat features a simple vanilla cake as its base, with plenty of cinnamon-y goodness thanks to a brown sugar and cinnamon topping.

Another reason why this cake makes for a surprisingly ideal breakfast option is because it's incredibly easy and straightforward. Those who bake often likely already have every ingredient on hand, and the process really is as simple as mixing ingredients, baking the cake, then enjoying it alongside a hot cup of coffee.

Recipe: Cinnamon Flop Cake

Somewhat like bread and somewhat like cake, babka is a beloved baked treat of Eastern European and Jewish origin, though it can be found at bakeries across the globe. This traditional cinnamon babka recipe is tasty any time of year, but feels especially comforting in the fall and wintertime.

Like any from-scratch baked good, this babka requires some quality time in the kitchen and a decent amount of patience allowing the dough to rest and rise. Because there is a decent amount of kneading to be done, a stand mixer is a useful tool to have handy, as it will relieve some of the active labor.

Recipe: Traditional Cinnamon Babka

For those who want their desserts to look as good as they taste, then these baked cinnamon apple roses deliver on both ends. These impressive confections really do closely resemble the romantic flower, so reserve this recipe for special occasions like Valentine's Day or date night.

There are essentially two components to this recipe, one being the from-scratch dough that serves as the base for the roses, and the other being the roses themselves, which cleverly get their shape from thinly-sliced apples. If you've ever enjoyed cinnamon apples before, you'll love these cinnamon roses, which offer a similarly sweet, warm flavor profile.

Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Apple Roses

Cinnamon rolls are incredibly rich, sweet, and decadent treats on their own, so if there's one fruit that can provide a nice tartness to harmonize with those flavors, it would be the humble raspberry. This recipe effortlessly incorporates the ever-popular breakfast fare with both raspberry jam and fresh raspberries for garnishing.

Worried that raspberries will add too much tartness to an intentionally sweet dish? Fear not — you'll be using raspberry jam, which is much more sweet than plain old raspberries. These warm, fruity cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed alongside a larger breakfast spread, or even with a simple cup of coffee to kickstart the morning.

Recipe: Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls

One big difference between plantains and bananas is that the former is best enjoyed cooked instead of raw. Luckily, there are countless ways that you could cook a plantain — frying is a common option, or go the roasting route, as this sweet plantain recipe does.

Start by peeling and slicing ripe plantains, then coat them in a simple mixture of coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon. Despite being a recipe for sweet plantains, don't add any sugar — the fruit is sweet enough on its own, making for a simple snack that doesn't need any help.

Recipe: Simple Roasted Sweet Plantains

Snickerdoodles often go forgotten in the cookie game, taking an obligatory second-place seat to chocolate chip. They deserve a proper spotlight; soft, chewy, and slightly crispy thanks to the outer coating of cinnamon sugar, these cookies are a sweet treat.

This snickerdoodle recipe is as traditional as they come, in a good way. Only eight ingredients are required, and aside from allowing the dough a 2-hour chilling period, the prep work is easy-breezy and the baking time takes but a mere 14 minutes. 

Recipe: Traditional Snickerdoodles

There are few breakfast options more classic than good ol' pancakes, but vegan and gluten-free folks often have to avoid such dairy- and flour-laden stacks. Thanks to this recipe, both vegan and gluten-free, just about anyone can enjoy the joys of pancakes with the added bonus of cinnamon-y goodness.

A big perk to these pancakes is they're much heartier than typical flapjacks; oats and cashews bulk them up. Whip up this special pancake batter and the rest of the process is like any other pancake recipe — cook the cakes on a griddle, then adorn them with syrup, fruit, or perhaps even a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Recipe: Vegan and Gluten-Free Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

Those who've been to carnivals are intimately familiar with the smell of candied nuts, so intoxicating it's nearly impossible to not buy a bag. Skip the overpriced carnival fare and make the crunchy treat at home with this recipe, featuring minimal ingredients. 

Not only are these pecans great as a snack, but they make for a sweet and thoughtful gift — just bag them up and hand them out to friends, family, or coworkers.

Recipe: Stovetop Candied Pecans

When plain old cinnamon rolls just aren't cutting it anymore, these red velvet cinnamon rolls could provide enough pizzazz for a Saturday morning breakfast. This recipe essentially comes together as any cinnamon roll recipe could, but includes boxed red velvet cake mix in the dough, which adds that iconic red hue along with a dessert-like decadence.

While this recipe does somewhat take advantage of a shortcut by using boxed cake mix, the cinnamon rolls are ultimately made from-scratch, so there is a decent amount of waiting time involved. The result is well worth the wait, not only because these cinnamon rolls taste so good, but because they're beautiful, too.

Recipe: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Churros are treats reserved for nights at the carnival, right? Think again, as you enjoy these deep-fried delights in your own home, and pretty easily at that. 

Churro batter requires minimal ingredients, and the most challenging part of this recipe is piping the batter into the hot oil. Luckily, thanks to a handy parchment paper hack, you can reduce the possibility of error and ensure that your churro-making process is a smooth sailing one.

Recipe: Simple Churros