Beautifully Braided Cinnamon Buns (Twisted Bun Recipe)

When I'm looking to make an extra special treat I always reach for this braided cinnamon bun recipe. They are a twist on the classic cinnamon rolls we all know and love. They have a super soft dough and sweet cinnamon filling but are made in a really fun and unique pattern.

How to Make the Cinnamon Bun Dough

The first step in making cinnamon buns is the dough. This is probably one of my favorite doughs to work with because it is a super soft dough and not too sticky. To make cinnamon bun dough, add everything to a stand mixer with a dough attachment and mix for about 8 minutes or until it is super soft and pulling away from the edges.

If you don’t have a stand mixer, just add everything to a large bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Then place the dough out on a clean work surface and knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes.

How to Shape Braided Cinnamon Buns

This is the fun part. Shaping these cinnamon buns may look complicated but it is actually fairly simple once you get the hang of it. (You can also watch the video above to see how to shape them.)

• Step 1: Fold the dough with the cinnamon into 3 layers.
• Step 2: Cut 1.5-inch strips
• Step 3: Cut each strip into 3 sections, and braid
• Step 4: Roll the braid

If the dough is starting to get sticky or hard to work with, place the strips in the fridge for a few minutes to let them harden slightly. If it’s too warm the butter may start to melt.

Cinnamon Bun Timeline

Making these takes a little bit of time because you need to let the dough rest a couple of times. Since this is a yeast dough it needs some time to rise throughout the process. It takes about 30 minutes of active time, but since there is rising and baking, all together takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Here is a breakdown of each step.

1. 10 min - Making the dough
2. 45 min - First rise
3. 20 min - Shaping and braiding the rolls
4. 60 min - Letting the buns rise
5. 20 min - Baking the buns

Tips for Making the Best Braided Cinnamon Rolls

• Let your dough rise at room temperature or in a warm place. If it is too cold the dough will not rise properly or it will take extra long.
• Make sure to cover the dough with a tea towel or plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out during the rising times.
• If the dough is getting too sticky to work with, place it in the fridge for a few minutes. When you are working with a soft dough like this the heat from your hands can start to melt the butter making it harder to work with.

Cinnamon Bun Topping

Traditional cinnamon rolls have a cream cheese frosting. With these cinnamon buns, I don’t add the cream cheese frosting because the braiding and layering is what makes these special and I didn’t want to cover that up with frosting. These are also very soft buns, so I don’t find a need for extra frosting.

With that said, I do like to top these with a little bit of powdered sugar. You could also do an icing or simple glaze and just drizzle it on the top. This makes it so you don’t completely cover up the buns but you add a little extra sweetness.

How to Store Cinnamon Buns

After you make these braided cinnamon buns store them in an airtight container. If you are enjoying them that day, you can leave them out on the counter at room temperature. If you want them to enjoy them the next day, store the container in the fridge.

Other Sweets You Might Enjoy

• Strawberry Almond Coffee Cake
• Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping
• Mixed Berry Hand Pies