Make these Cinnamon Sticks With Apple Dipping Sauce in about 25 to 30 minutes using refrigerated breadstick dough, melted butter, cinnamon sugar, applesauce, and caramel ice-cream topping. The dough twists bake at 350°F for 10 to 14 minutes, producing approximately 12 tender cinnamon sticks served with about 1 1/2 cups of quick apple-caramel dip.
Each warm stick is lightly crisp around the edges, soft through the center, buttery, and coated with fragrant cinnamon sugar. The cool or gently warmed applesauce-caramel sauce adds fruity brightness and creamy caramel sweetness, making this an easy dessert, brunch treat, after-school snack, or party dip everyone can enjoy.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
There is something especially inviting about a warm cinnamon treat that can be picked up and dipped. These sticks turn a tube of refrigerated breadstick dough into a dessert that looks homemade, smells wonderful, and requires very little preparation.
The recipe keeps the ingredient list short without sacrificing flavor. Butter helps the cinnamon sugar cling to the dough, while the applesauce and caramel topping create a silky dip with the familiar taste of apple pie and caramel apples.
This is also a flexible recipe for casual entertaining. Arrange the sticks around the dip for a party platter, serve them with coffee at brunch, or bring them to a family dessert table while they are still warm.
If you enjoy offering several sauces with snacks and appetizers, you may also like this savory cowboy butter dip for a completely different flavor direction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The base of the cinnamon sticks is one tube of refrigerated breadstick dough, about 11 ounces. Chilled dough is easier to separate and twist, and it holds its shape more neatly on the baking sheet.
- 1 tube refrigerated breadstick dough, about 11 ounces
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened or regular applesauce
- 1/2 cup caramel ice-cream topping
Unsweetened applesauce gives the sauce a more pronounced apple flavor and leaves room for the caramel to provide sweetness. Regular applesauce works just as well when that is what you have available.
Use a smooth caramel ice-cream topping for the easiest stirring and dipping texture. The butter should be melted but not extremely hot, so it brushes over the dough without making the dough greasy or difficult to handle.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), then lightly grease a baking sheet or cover it with parchment. Preparing the pan first means the shaped dough can go straight into the oven when it is ready, and parchment makes cleanup especially simple.
Step 2: Open the refrigerated breadstick dough and separate it into individual pieces. Work with the dough while it is cold, because chilled dough twists more cleanly and is less sticky than dough that has been sitting at room temperature.
Step 3: Twist each piece once or twice, using a gentle motion so the dough remains substantial and does not become too thin. Place the twists on the prepared baking sheet with space between them, allowing room for the dough to bake evenly.
Step 4: Brush the dough with the melted unsalted butter, coating the tops without pooling butter around the sides. The butter adds richness and gives the cinnamon sugar a surface to cling to as the sticks bake.
Step 5: Stir the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl until the color is evenly blended. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the buttered dough, distributing it from end to end so every bite receives a sweet, aromatic coating.
Step 6: Bake the cinnamon sticks for 10 to 14 minutes, watching closely near the end of the baking time. Remove them when they are lightly golden and cooked through; they should be tender inside rather than deeply browned or brittle.
Step 7: While the sticks bake, stir the applesauce and caramel ice-cream topping together in a small bowl. Mix until the sauce is smooth and the caramel is evenly distributed, then place it beside the warm cinnamon sticks for dipping.
Step 8: Serve the sticks warm, either piled on a platter or arranged around the bowl of sauce. Give the dip one final stir before serving, especially if you warmed it, and provide small plates or napkins for easy sharing.
Pro Tips for Tender Cinnamon Sticks
Keep the breadstick dough refrigerated until the moment you are ready to separate and shape it. Cold dough is less sticky, so the twists hold their definition and are easier to space on the pan.
Twist each piece only once or twice. A light twist creates attractive ridges and pockets for cinnamon sugar, while excessive twisting can stretch the dough too thin and lead to a harder finished stick.
Pay attention during the final minutes of baking. The best visual cue is a lightly golden surface with a cooked center, not a dark brown crust. Overbaking is the main reason these sticks can become dry and hard instead of tender and soft.
For another sweet apple-inspired idea to serve alongside this dessert, try these individual puff pastry apple pies. Their flaky texture makes a lovely contrast to the soft cinnamon sticks.
How to Serve the Apple Dipping Sauce
The sauce is delicious straight from the bowl at room temperature, especially when the cinnamon sticks are fresh from the oven. Its cool, creamy fruitiness balances the warm spice and buttery sweetness of the breadstick dough.
For a warmer dip, microwave the applesauce-caramel mixture gently, stirring every 15 to 20 seconds. Stop once it is pleasantly warm and smooth, and do not boil it, since boiling can make the texture uneven and the sauce dangerously hot.
A small bowl works well for individual servings, while a wider shallow bowl makes communal dipping easier. If you are creating a dessert board, place the cinnamon sticks near apple slices, salted nuts, and extra caramel topping.
Although this recipe is sweet, a well-stocked dipping-sauce collection can include savory choices too. Keep this rich Guiness glaze in mind for hearty snacks and roasted foods.
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Notes
These cinnamon sticks are best served warm on the day they are baked, when the centers are tender and the cinnamon sugar is fragrant. If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container.
Store the sticks at room temperature for short-term holding and rewarm them gently before serving. A brief warming period helps restore some of their softness, but avoid excessive heat, which can dry the breadstick dough.
Store leftover apple dipping sauce covered in the refrigerator. Stir it well before serving, and warm it gently in the microwave if desired, using 15- to 20-second intervals and stirring between each interval.
The dough should remain refrigerated until shaping, so this recipe is best assembled shortly before baking rather than fully prepared hours ahead. You can, however, combine the applesauce and caramel topping in advance and keep the covered dip chilled until serving time.
Flavor Variations and Pairing Ideas
The classic cinnamon-sugar topping is wonderfully simple, but the finished platter can be made more festive with a light dusting of additional cinnamon after baking. Keep the primary ingredient amounts unchanged so the dough remains properly coated and bakes as intended.
Serve these sticks for a holiday breakfast, a fall gathering, or a relaxed movie night. They also make a playful alternative to cookies when guests can dip each warm piece into the apple-caramel sauce.
For a drink pairing, a crisp apple beverage complements the fruit in the sauce. Adults may enjoy serving the dessert after a meal that includes a spicy apple margarita, while children can enjoy sparkling apple juice or warm cider.
If you are serving a broad spread of sauces, place the sweet dip on a separate dessert board. A savory barbecue option such as this Dr Pepper BBQ sauce can occupy a different platter for guests who prefer smoky, tangy flavors.
Cinnamon Sticks With Apple Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment.
- Separate the refrigerated breadstick dough into individual pieces. Twist each piece once or twice and arrange the dough on the prepared baking sheet with space between the sticks.
- Brush the shaped dough evenly with the melted butter.
- Stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the sticks are lightly golden and cooked through.
- Stir the applesauce and caramel ice-cream topping together in a small bowl. Serve the dip with the warm cinnamon sticks.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Sticks With Apple Dipping Sauce are proof that a memorable dessert does not require a long ingredient list or complicated pastry work. Refrigerated breadstick dough becomes warm, buttery, cinnamon-scented sticks, and the two-ingredient apple-caramel dip comes together while they bake.
Remember the three details that make the biggest difference: keep the dough chilled, bake only until lightly golden, and warm the sauce gently without boiling it. Serve the sticks fresh, invite everyone to dip, and enjoy a simple treat that tastes wonderfully like a handheld apple-caramel dessert.