Homemade Sugar Snails (Sweet Cinnamon Pastries)

These soft, buttery sugar snails are a classic spiral pastry with a cinnamon-sugar filling and a sweet glaze. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 1½ hours
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 sugar snails

Ingredients

For the Dough

3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

For the Filling

¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Glaze

1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the filling: Mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
Roll the dough into a 12 × 16-inch (30 × 40 cm) rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Roll the dough tightly into a log, starting from the long side. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown.
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm pastries before serving.

Storage

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm before serving.

Tips

Add raisins or chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture.
Replace the cinnamon with cardamom for a Scandinavian-style sugar snail.
Serve warm with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for the best flavor.

sugar Snails