When cinnamon hits the oven, it takes over your whole kitchen in the best way. That smell clings to the air, seeps into every corner, and suddenly you’re in the mood to grab a blanket and pretend you don’t have errands to run. These bakes are all about leaning into that, with recipes that range from easy loaves and muffins to cookies and bars that are worth heating up the oven for. They’re simple, cozy, and let cinnamon shine leaving your kitchen smelling like fall, which is half the point.

Close-up of freshly baked cookies on a cooling rack. The cookies are sprinkled with coarse sugar and have a golden-brown color with patches of darker, crumbly topping.
Photo credit: Tastes of Lizzy T.
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Cinnamon Sugar Banana Pecan Bread

Cinnamon sugar banana pecan bread slices served with raspberry butter.
Cinnamon Sugar Banana Pecan Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This bread brings together ripe bananas, crunchy pecans, and a cinnamon sugar topping for a bake that smells as good as it tastes. It’s simple to mix up and great for breakfast, snacks, or packing in lunches. Cinnamon makes it a natural fit when you want your kitchen to feel like fall.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Banana Pecan Bread

Apple Cinnamon Cake

Apple cinnamon sugar cake with a fork on a teal plate.
Apple Cinnamon Cake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A soft, fragrant cake that pairs apples with plenty of cinnamon for a classic bake that’s easy to love. It comes together with basic pantry ingredients, making it a no-stress dessert or afternoon pick-me-up. Cinnamon gives this cake that cozy aroma that fits perfectly into cool weather baking.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Cake

Cinnamon Cake Bars

Cinnamon Cake Bars. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These bars layer the flavor of cinnamon with a soft, cake-like texture that makes them great for slicing and sharing. They bake quickly and travel well, so you can pack them for school, work, or gatherings. The cinnamon gives them a fresh-baked smell that makes the whole kitchen feel inviting.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Cake Bars

Cinnamon Spice Pumpkin Muffins

Gluten free pumpkin muffins on a cooling rack with cinnamon sugar topping.
Cinnamon Spice Pumpkin Muffins. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pumpkin puree and a mix of fall spices come together in these soft muffins topped with a light cinnamon sugar coating. They bake in under 30 minutes and freeze well for easy breakfasts all season. The cinnamon-pumpkin combination makes them an obvious choice when you want a kitchen full of autumn aroma.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Spice Pumpkin Muffins

Apple Cinnamon Blondies with a Tart Apple Glaze

Apple Cinnamon Blondies with a Tart Apple Glaze. Photo credit: Milk Glass Home.

These blondies are rich with brown sugar and cinnamon and packed with fresh apple pieces for a bar that feels hearty yet simple. They bake quickly and are easy to slice into squares for serving. The cinnamon ties everything together and makes them a smart choice when you want a dessert that feels seasonal without much work.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Blondies with a Tart Apple Glaze

Apple Cinnamon Skillet Cake

Apple Cinnamon Skillet Cake. Photo credit: Inspired Epicurean.

Baked in a skillet, this cake develops crisp edges while staying moist in the center. Apples and cinnamon give it a balanced sweetness, making it versatile enough for breakfast or dessert. It’s a simple one-pan bake that makes the whole house smell incredible while it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Skillet Cake

Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Inspired Epicurean.

Buttery shortbread gets upgraded with a dose of cinnamon for cookies that keep well and taste even better with coffee or tea. They’re quick to shape and bake, which makes them a solid choice for holiday trays or a simple weeknight treat. The cinnamon adds just enough spice to make them feel seasonal.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

Baked Cinnamon Apple Dumplings

Baked Cinnamon Apple Dumplings. Photo credit: Little Black Skillet.

Whole apples are wrapped in crescent roll dough, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and baked until golden. The short ingredient list makes them easy, and the result feels like a special occasion dessert. Cinnamon and apples together ensure this one fills your kitchen with a familiar fall aroma.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Apple Dumplings

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Mini Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

Bite-sized cinnamon rolls bake up soft, sweet, and ready to serve by the dozen. They’re simple to make with a basic dough and can be prepped ahead for brunch or gatherings. Their small size makes them easy to portion, and the cinnamon sugar swirl gives them that signature cozy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Pumpkin Swirl Bread

Cinnamon Pumpkin Swirl Bread. Photo credit: Made In A Pinch.

Pumpkin batter layered with a rich cinnamon sugar swirl makes for a loaf that slices beautifully and tastes even better. It’s quick to mix and bake, and it freezes well if you want to make more than one. Cinnamon shines in this recipe, making it a fall bake worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Pumpkin Swirl Bread

Cinnamon Buttermilk Muffins

Close-up of freshly baked cookies on a cooling rack. The cookies are sprinkled with coarse sugar and have a golden-brown color with patches of darker, crumbly topping.
Photo credit: Tastes of Lizzy T.

These muffins bake up soft with just the right hint of cinnamon to make them feel special. The buttermilk keeps them tender and moist, and they’re fast enough to whip up on a weekday morning. Cinnamon makes them perfect for breakfast or a snack that feels seasonal without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Buttermilk Muffins

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes. Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

Pancakes layered with a cinnamon swirl bake right on the griddle, giving you that cinnamon-roll flavor in breakfast form. They’re quick, simple, and perfect for a weekend breakfast when you want something beyond the usual stack. The cinnamon sugar caramelizes slightly, leaving a sweet aroma in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting. Photo credit: The Dinner Bell.

A gingerbread cake base pairs with frosting made from cinnamon and molasses for a bake that tastes like the holidays. The cake is rich but not too heavy, making it a good option for dessert tables or gatherings. The cinnamon in the frosting makes it stand out and adds depth to every slice.
Get the Recipe: Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

These cinnamon rolls are filled with apple pie filling, then baked and drizzled with icing for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat. They can be prepped ahead, which makes them great for breakfast or brunch when you want to serve something fresh from the oven. Cinnamon and apples together bring the best kind of fall comfort.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls

Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. Photo credit: It’s Not Complicated Recipes.

Oats, apples, and ground cinnamon come together in a simple mix-and-bake breakfast that keeps well for the week. The bake sets into firm bars you can slice and pack, or you can serve it warm in bowls. Cinnamon makes this dish especially comforting on busy mornings.
Get the Recipe: Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls Wreath

Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls Wreath. Photo credit: Delicious Little Bites.

This wreath is built from rolls filled with cranberry, orange, and cinnamon, baked together into a centerpiece-style pastry. It’s showy enough for holiday tables yet simple to pull off with a basic roll dough. The cinnamon pairs perfectly with the fruit filling, giving it a seasonal aroma.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls Wreath

Cinnamon Maple Butternut Squash Bread

Cinnamon Maple Butternut Squash Bread. Photo credit: The Oregon Dietitian.

Pureed butternut squash brings moisture and flavor to this spiced quick bread, with cinnamon and maple syrup rounding it out. It’s simple to bake in a loaf pan and slices well for breakfast or snacks. Cinnamon gives it a seasonal edge and makes the kitchen smell incredible while it bakes.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Maple Butternut Squash Bread

Cinnamon Spice Coconut Chips

Cinnamon Spice Coconut Chips. Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

Shredded coconut is baked with cinnamon and just enough sweetness to crisp up into a snack. They’re quick to make and store well for grab-and-go energy. Cinnamon ties the flavor together and makes them a great pantry staple when you want something crunchy.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Spice Coconut Chips

Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps

Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps. Photo credit: Foodess.

These cookies combine applesauce, molasses, and cinnamon for soft gingersnaps with a slightly chewy bite. They bake quickly and keep well in a tin, making them perfect for holiday cookie trays. Cinnamon is the standout spice that gives these cookies their signature flavor.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Baked donuts made with applesauce and coated in cinnamon sugar bake up fluffy inside with a crisp finish outside. They’re simple to prepare and great for mornings when you want something sweet without frying. Cinnamon is what makes these donuts smell like they came from a bakery.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels. Photo credit: Its Not Complicated Recipes.

Puff pastry rolled with apples and cinnamon sugar bakes into crisp, golden pinwheels. With only four ingredients, they’re quick to assemble and easy to serve as a snack or dessert. Cinnamon makes them smell amazing right out of the oven and adds just the right amount of spice.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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