Easy Honey Cinnamon Dessert

I firmly believe that the best desserts are the ones you can throw together when unexpected guests show up or when you need something sweet right now. This Honey Cinnamon Dessert is my ultimate go-to for those moments. It's a collection of simple, cozy recipes that showcase the magic of honey and cinnamon together. Whether you're craving soft, chewy honey cinnamon cookies, warm skillet honey cinnamon apples, or a velvety honey cinnamon cheesecake filling, these minimal-ingredient honey-and-cinnamon desserts deliver maximum comfort with minimal effort.

The beauty of honey and cinnamon is how they work together to create a warm, aromatic cinnamon spice dessert that feels nostalgic and indulgent without being overly sweet. Honey adds natural sweetness and moisture, while cinnamon brings that cozy spiced honey dessert flavor profile we all crave, especially during fall and winter.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Ingredients for Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• How to Make Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• My Top Tips for Perfect Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Little Moments in the Kitchen
• Substitutions for Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Variations on Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Equipment for Making Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Storage Tips for Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Adam's Tip for Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• FAQ About Honey Cinnamon Desserts
• Related
• Pairing
• recipe

Why You'll Love These Honey Cinnamon Desserts

• Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor. Most of these recipes use just 3 to 5 ingredients, making them incredibly easy and budget-friendly. The honey and cinnamon do all the heavy lifting.
• Quick and versatile. Whether you want cookies, a warm fruit dessert, or a creamy cheesecake filling, these recipes come together in 30 minutes or less. They're perfect for last-minute cravings or impromptu gatherings.
• Naturally sweet and healthier options. Using honey instead of refined sugar adds natural sweetness and moisture to desserts. Many of these recipes can be made healthier by using whole grain flour or swapping butter for coconut oil.

Ingredients for Honey Cinnamon Desserts

Below are the core ingredients you'll need for the three most popular honey cinnamon desserts: cookies, skillet apples, and a simple honey cinnamon glaze. Each recipe uses simple pantry staples.

What You'll Need

For Honey Cinnamon Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For Warm Skillet Honey Cinnamon Apples:

• 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• Pinch of salt

For Golden Baked Cinnamon-Honey Glaze:

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Why These Ingredients Matter

Honey adds natural sweetness and moisture. Unlike refined sugar, honey keeps baked goods soft and chewy for days. It also adds a subtle floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with warm spices.

Cinnamon brings warmth and depth. Ground cinnamon is the star spice in these desserts, adding that cozy, aromatic flavor we all associate with comfort food.

Butter creates richness and texture. In cookies, butter adds a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. In skillet apples, it helps caramelize the fruit and creates a luscious sauce.

How to Make Honey Cinnamon Desserts

Step-by-Step Directions

For Honey Cinnamon Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and honey. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and honey together until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and vanilla. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6. Shape and bake. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

For Warm Skillet Honey Cinnamon Apples:

1. Melt the butter. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the apples. Add the sliced apples to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add honey and spices. Drizzle the honey over the apples, then sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat.
4. Cook until caramelized. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and caramelized. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or on their own.

For Golden Baked Cinnamon-Honey Glaze:

1. Whisk together all ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Brush over baked goods. Use this glaze to brush over cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, or biscuits while they're still warm.

Quick Tip: For extra-soft honey cinnamon cookies, slightly underbake them. They'll look a little puffy in the center but will firm up as they cool.

Little Moments in the Kitchen

The first time I made honey cinnamon cookies, Adam wandered into the kitchen and said, "Why does it smell like Christmas in here?" I laughed and told him it was just honey and cinnamon. He looked skeptical. "But it's not even fall yet."

When I handed him a warm cookie, he took a bite and his eyes lit up. "Mom, this tastes like a cinnamon roll and a cookie had a baby. Can we make these every week?" Now he calls them "the chewy cinnamon cookies," and Grandma Viola says the honey reminds her of the honey cakes her grandmother used to bake for special occasions.

If you love easy, cozy desserts like this, you'll also want to try our Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cookies. They're another family favorite.

Substitutions for Honey Cinnamon Desserts

• Honey: Swap with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different flavor profile. Keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different.
• Butter: Use coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
• All-purpose flour: Try whole wheat flour, almond flour, or a gluten-free flour blend for a healthier or gluten-free option.
• Cinnamon: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger for extra warmth and spice.

Variations on Honey Cinnamon Desserts

• 3 Ingredient Honey Cookies: Use just honey, flour, and cinnamon for an ultra-simple cookie. Mix 1 cup honey with 2 cups flour and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, roll into balls, and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Honey Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies: Use 1 cup butter, ½ cup honey, 2 cups flour, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Press the dough into a pan, bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes, and cut into squares while warm.
• Healthy Honey Cinnamon Dessert: Make skillet apples with coconut oil instead of butter and serve over Greek yogurt with granola for a healthy breakfast or dessert.
• Honey Cinnamon Rolls: Use the golden baked cinnamon-honey glaze to drizzle over homemade or store-bought cinnamon rolls for an extra layer of sweetness.
• Cookies with Honey Instead of Sugar: Replace all the sugar in your favorite cookie recipe with honey (use ¾ cup honey for every 1 cup sugar) and reduce the liquid by ¼ cup.

If you love cinnamon desserts, try our Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls. They're a delicious twist on a classic.

Equipment for Making Honey Cinnamon Desserts

• Large mixing bowl: For making cookie dough.
• Hand mixer or stand mixer: To cream the butter and honey together until light and fluffy.
• Baking sheets with parchment paper: Essential for baking cookies without sticking.
• Large skillet: For making skillet apples or caramelizing fruit.
• Small whisk or spoon: For mixing the honey cinnamon glaze.

Storage Tips for Honey Cinnamon Desserts

• Honey cinnamon cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They stay soft and chewy thanks to the honey. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Skillet honey cinnamon apples: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave before serving.
• Honey cinnamon glaze: Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before using.
• Pro Tip: Freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2 to 3 extra minutes to the baking time.

For more delicious dessert inspiration, check out our Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake. It's a showstopper.

FAQ About Honey Cinnamon Desserts

Conclusion

There's something so comforting about the combination of honey and cinnamon. It's warm, familiar, and feels like a hug from the inside out. I hope these simple, cozy recipes become go-to favorites in your home, just like they have in ours.

If you try any of these honey cinnamon desserts, let me know how they turn out! And if you come up with any fun variations, I want to hear about it. For more delicious dessert inspiration, check out our Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake. Tag me on social media or leave a comment below. Happy cooking, and enjoy every sweet, spiced, comforting bite!

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Honey Cinnamon Desserts:

recipe