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This crunchy, sweet delight turns plain white bread into an addictive dessert that disappears in seconds. The mix of silky filling, butter-rich outside, and sugar-cinnamon dusting makes a wonderful blend of textures and tastes that wins over kids and grown-ups alike.
I whipped up these addictive sticks during a surprise playdate when sweets were nowhere to be found at home. They got their name because nobody can stop eating them. These days my kid wants them at every sleepover, and all her buddies ask me how to make them.
Ingredients
- White bread: Your main ingredient. Go for a soft type that's easy to roll without breaking
- Cream cheese: Stick with full-fat for a thick filling that won't melt away during baking
- Powdered sugar: Mixes perfectly into cream cheese and sweetens without any grainy feel
- Granulated sugar: Makes that fantastic crunchy outside when mixed with cinnamon and butter
- Cinnamon: This warming spice creates the standout flavor. Try to use fresh stuff
- Butter: Pick unsalted to manage sweetness levels. It helps the sugar stick and makes everything crispy
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Everything Ready:
- Make three separate areas before you start. In the first bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until it's totally smooth without any bumps. This gives you a velvety filling. In another bowl, stir granulated sugar and cinnamon until they're fully mixed. In your last bowl, melt the butter completely but don't let it turn brown.
- Fix Up The Bread:
- Cut off all crusts with a sharp knife for nice clean edges. Carefully flatten each bread slice using your rolling pin. Press firmly but carefully in every direction until bread gets thin without tearing. Thinner slices roll better and make the final texture tastier.
- Roll Them Up:
- Put about a tablespoon of cream cheese mix on each flattened slice, spreading it all over but leave a little space at one edge to help close the roll. From the other edge, roll the bread snugly but gently making a tight cylinder. Press the edge down slightly to seal it shut.
- Add The Coating:
- One at a time, dip each roll into the melted butter, making sure it's covered everywhere. Right away, roll it in the cinnamon sugar mix, coating all sides evenly. The butter makes the sugar stick and creates that amazing crunch when baked.
- Bake Them Right:
- Put rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment, with the seam facing down and about an inch between each. Bake in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes exactly. They should come out golden brown with a crisp outside and melty inside.
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I love eating these most when they're still warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream nearby. The mix of hot, crunchy outside and cool, smooth ice cream makes such an amazing dessert combo that reminds me of eating churros at county fairs.
Storage Solutions
These addictive sticks taste amazing straight from the oven, but you can keep any extras in a sealed container at room temp for up to two days. To bring back the crunch, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before eating. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the uncooked rolls after you've coated them in cinnamon sugar. When you're ready to eat them, put the frozen rolls on a baking sheet and cook them 5 minutes longer than normal.
Clever Variations
The standard recipe lets you try tons of different twists. Toss tiny chocolate chips or finely chopped nuts into your cream cheese mix for extra crunch. Switch cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in autumn for a seasonal flavor. Want savory sticks instead? Skip the sugar and use herby cream cheese with parmesan coating rather than cinnamon sugar. These changes keep things fresh even after making them countless times.
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Perfect Pairings
Give these sweet goodies with hot chocolate for a special afternoon snack kids will go crazy for. At brunch, set them out with fresh fruit to balance the sweetness. For parties, try offering simple dips like melted chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauce to make them look fancier. These versatile sticks fit in anywhere from casual hangouts to fancy dessert spreads.
Common Questions
- → Can I use whole wheat bread instead of white bread?
You can definitely try whole wheat bread, but remember it'll change how your crack sticks taste and feel a bit.
- → How can I make these less sweet?
Just cut back on the sugar in your cinnamon mix or leave out the powdered sugar from the filling if you want them less sweet.
- → Is there a substitute for cream cheese?
You can swap in mascarpone or ricotta cheese instead, but know they'll make your sticks taste a little different.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
You can get everything ready and keep the rolls in your fridge for a few hours before cooking. They'll turn out best if you bake them right before eating.
- → Can I fry instead of baking?
You can totally fry them in hot oil until they turn golden brown if you want them extra crunchy.