Cinnamon Roll Puff Pastry Snowflake

cinnamon roll snowflake on a sheet pan topped with powdered sugar.

5 from 1 vote

A simple and festive cinnamon roll made into a snowflake using puff pastry sheets and a cinnamon brown sugar filling. Topped with a delicious cream cheese glaze.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Halal

Skill Level: Beginner

Servings:

Author: Rena

Equipment

Round plate or pan to carve the circle
Rolling Pin
Sheet Pan

Ingredients

4 sheets Puff pastry dough 2 boxes, each box has 2 sheets (total of 34.6 ounces; or 2.2 lbs)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
3/4 cup Dark brown sugar or coconut sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 small egg for egg wash
2 teaspoons powdered sugar optional, for dusting

Cream cheese frosting

4 ounces lite cream cheese softened at room temperature
2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar you can get cane powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk for thinner frosting
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix the 3/4 cup Dark brown sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Set aside.
Spread out the 4 sheets Puff pastry dough one at a time. Using a roll pin, spread them out a bit. (So they stretch enough to fit a 9 to 10-inch round pan or plate to cut out).
Place a round pan or plate over the puff pastry to cut out a large circle. Using a knife, cut the puff pastry into a round shape. (Save the leftover pastry sheets you cut out, and see my notes below.) Do this for all the pastry sheets as you need them for layering.
Transfer a single pastry sheet onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and brush melted butter all over it. (from the melted 2 tablespoons unsalted butter)
Spread a third of the cinnamon sugar all over it, leaving about 1/4 inch empty on the edges, and gently press the cinnamon sugar down evenly over the puff pastry. Save about 2 tbsp of the cinnamon sugar to use with the leftover puff pastry. (See notes)
Add another layer of puff pastry over the cinnamon sugar and repeat the same steps. Brushing butter and adding cinnamon sugar.
Top again with one more layer and go through the same process. (You will be adding butter and cinnamon sugar to only 3 layers.) Add the final layer of puff pastry on the top and gently press down using your hands.
Get a small bowl to use as a guide in the middle and make 16 slices all around. It has to be an even number.
Using two hands, twist each ribbon in the opposite direction and press them together at the end.
Do this all around to form a snowflake.
Brush some egg wash (from 1 small egg) over the snowflake and bake for 25-27 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes and make the cream cheese frosting.
In a medium bowl, which together the 4 ounces lite cream cheese, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons powdered sugar3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, and a Pinch of salt until creamy and smooth. To make a more runny frosting, use 2-3 tablespoons of milk. I used just 1)
Serve the cinnamon roll snowflake with the cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar. Enjoy.

Notes

For the leftover puff pastry, to avoid any waste, I brush a bit of butter in a small oven-safe ramekin and add in the leftover puff pastry. I then sprinkle in the 2 tbsps of the cinnamon sugar, and toss them together a bit. Brush with a bit of egg wash (you will have leftovers) and bake it along with the snowflake. No waste. Once ready, spread some cream cheese over it and dig right in.
You can make a smaller portion with only 2 layers of puff pastry. Just half the amount of sugar and cinnamon, so you don't end up with extra.
If you do not want to use butter to brush the puff pastry, you can use coconut oil. Butter tastes great, though.
Puff pastries are high in calories, and this recipe is a fun and indulgent treat for the holidays. Consider making it with 2 layers to cut down on the calories. Keep in mind the nutrition values are a rough estimate since you didn't use all of the puff pastry dough when you cut out the round layers.

Nutrition