Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Sticks

I love the familiar smell of cinnamon and sugar baking in the oven. Yum! These little twists are very similar to cinnamon buns but shaped into twists instead of rolls. They feature a sweet yeast dough covered generously with butter, sugar and cinnamon. 3 of my favorite ingredients!

My boyfriend fiance sometimes works on Saturdays (I still have to get used to the word "fiance", lol). I made these for him to bring to work on Saturday morning. If you've gotta work on the weekend, you owe yourself a treat and some sugar to get you through the day! These are also especially good with a hot cup of coffee!



Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Sticks
Makes 24 | Taste of Home

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°), divided
4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg

FILLING:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add 2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, milk, butter, egg and remaining water; beat on medium speed for minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3. Punch down dough. Roll into a 16-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Brush with butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter. Let dough rest for 6 minutes. Cut lengthwise into three 16-in. x 4-in. strips. Cut each strip into sixteen 4-in. x 1-in. pieces. Twist and place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

4. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown.