Donuts
What Is a Cinnamon Twist? The One to Order If You Like Cinnamon Rolls
17 September 2026 · 4 min read
A cinnamon twist is raised dough laced with cinnamon sugar, twisted along its length and fried. It is the item on our board people walk past because they assume they already know what it is — and it is the one we would put in front of anyone who says they like cinnamon rolls.
The twist is not decoration
Take the same yeasted dough that becomes a glazed ring. Roll it flat, lace it with cinnamon and sugar, then twist it before it goes in the fryer.
That twisting does two things at once, which is the whole appeal. The folds trap cinnamon sugar on the inside, where it melts into the dough rather than sitting on top of it. And the ridges the twist creates are exposed to the oil, so they crisp while the inner folds stay soft. One bite gives you chew and crunch together. A donut with cinnamon sprinkled on the outside cannot do that.
Twist, Persian, churro — three different things
| Cinnamon twist | Persian | Churro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dough | Raised, yeasted | Raised, yeasted | Piped, not yeasted |
| Cinnamon | Worked through before frying | Laced through the dough | Rolled on afterwards |
| Texture | Chewy, crisp edges | Soft, heavy crumb | Crisp shell, hollow |
| Eat it | One-handed, walking | Sitting down, with coffee | Hot, immediately |
| We make it | Yes — $2.75 | Yes — $2.75 | No |
The honest summary: if you want the most cinnamon for the least commitment, the twist. If you want something closer to a cinnamon roll you can take seriously, the Persian. We do not make churros and would not pretend otherwise.
Who it is for
- You are driving. It holds together in one hand and does not shed filling or leave icing on the steering wheel.
- You like cinnamon rolls but find them too much. A twist is the same idea at about a third of the heft.
- You are buying for a mixed group. Cinnamon is close to universally liked. It is a safer box-filler than a filled donut, which people have opinions about.
- You want it later in the day. The cinnamon sugar holds moisture, so a twist at noon is in better shape than a glazed would be.
Where and when
$2.75 each, $27.50 a dozen — specialty board pricing, and a dozen is buy ten get two free. Fried from 5:00am, Monday through Saturday, at all three shops.
- Spanish Fork — 1306 E Center St, (801) 416-0800
- Ogden — 554 Washington Blvd, (385) 865-1029
- St. George — 922 E Brigham Rd, (435) 628-9290
The rest of the board is explained in specialty donuts explained, every item we make is listed on the Utah Donut Index, and every price is in how much a dozen costs.
Common questions
What is a cinnamon twist?
A cinnamon twist is raised yeast dough laced with cinnamon sugar, twisted along its length and fried. The twisting is what gives it its texture — the folds trap sugar inside and the exposed edges crisp, so you get chew and crunch in the same bite.
Is a cinnamon twist the same as a Persian?
Same flavour family, different build. A Persian is large, soft and heavy-crumbed, closer to a cinnamon roll. A cinnamon twist is lighter, chewier and easier to eat with one hand. If you want to sit down with coffee, order the Persian. If you are driving, order the twist.
Is it the same as a churro?
No. A churro is a piped dough rolled in cinnamon sugar after frying, so the sugar sits on the outside. A cinnamon twist is raised bread dough with the cinnamon worked through it before it ever hits the fryer.
How much is a cinnamon twist?
It prices as a specialty donut: $2.75 each, $27.50 a dozen. A dozen here is buy ten, get two free, so the dozen price is exactly ten singles.
Where can I buy a cinnamon twist in Utah?
The Donut Run makes them at all three shops — Spanish Fork, Ogden and St. George — fried fresh from 5:00am, Monday through Saturday.
Do cinnamon twists keep well?
Better than a glazed, not as well as a cake donut. The cinnamon sugar holds moisture, so a twist at lunchtime is still good. For the next morning, buy a cake donut instead.