Golden, buttery, cinnamon-sugar rolled breadsticks with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese center—these Crack Sticks are everything I want in a quick, crowd-pleasing breakfast or dessert. They come together with pantry staples and are always the first thing to disappear at brunch tables or snack spreads.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 loaf white sandwich bread (crusts removed)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup melted butter
Directions
I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Then I mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl until it’s smooth and creamy.
In another shallow dish, I combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Using a rolling pin, I flatten each slice of bread.
I spread about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each slice and roll it up tightly like a cigar.
Each roll gets dipped into the melted butter until it’s fully coated.
Then I roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture so it’s evenly covered.
I place each stick seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Finally, I bake the sticks for about 20 minutes, or until they’re golden and slightly crisp.
I let them cool for 5 minutes before serving them warm and irresistible.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 12 Crack Sticks.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories per stick: 210 kcal
Variations
I like playing around with fillings depending on the mood. Sometimes I add a dollop of fruit jam with the cream cheese for a fruity twist. Chocolate chips or Nutella make it more dessert-like. If I want a fall-inspired version, I’ll sprinkle a little nutmeg or add pumpkin spice to the cinnamon sugar mix. For a more savory take, I skip the sugar and go for herb cream cheese and garlic butter.
Storage/Reheating
I store any leftover Crack Sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in the oven or toaster oven at 300°F for about 5–7 minutes so they crisp up again. They can also be frozen before baking—just thaw and bake as usual when ready.
FAQs
How do I keep the bread from unrolling during baking?
I make sure to roll the bread tightly and place each stick seam-side down on the baking sheet. This helps them stay together as they bake.
Can I use other types of bread?
Yes, I’ve tried this with brioche and whole wheat bread. As long as the bread is soft enough to roll, it works well.
Can I make Crack Sticks ahead of time?
Definitely. I often prep them the night before and keep them in the fridge unbaked. In the morning, I just bake them fresh.
Are these good for freezing?
Yes, I freeze them unbaked. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I serve with Crack Sticks?
I usually pair them with coffee, hot cocoa, or a side of fresh berries for breakfast. They’re also great as a sweet appetizer or party finger food.
Conclusion
Crack Sticks are one of my favorite go-to recipes when I need something sweet, simple, and guaranteed to impress. With just a few ingredients and a quick prep, they turn ordinary bread into a melt-in-your-mouth treat. Whether it’s for brunch, dessert, or a cozy snack, these cinnamon-sugar rollups never let me down.
📖 Recipe:
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Crack Sticks
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 Crack Sticks
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Golden, buttery, cinnamon-sugar rolled breadsticks with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese center. These quick and easy Crack Sticks are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacks and come together using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
1 loaf white sandwich bread (crusts removed)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread.
- Spread about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each slice of bread and roll it up tightly.
- Dip each roll in the melted butter to fully coat.
- Roll each buttered stick in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Place each stick seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and slightly crisp.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
Try adding jam, Nutella, or chocolate chips for fun filling variations.
For a fall twist, mix in nutmeg or pumpkin spice with the cinnamon sugar.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
Can be frozen before baking—thaw and bake as usual.
Rolling the bread tightly and placing seam-side down helps prevent unrolling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
