Cinnamon Pinwheels (Date Sweetened)
on May 22, 2026
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Soft, flaky, and filled with a naturally sweet cinnamon date filling, these cinnamon pinwheels are an easy homemade treat made with crescent dough and simple ingredients. They bake up golden on the outside with a soft, gooey center and come together in just minutes.
If you’ve been looking for an easy cinnamon roll shortcut, these cinnamon pinwheels are such a fun one to add to your rotation. The filling is naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and blended until smooth for a rich caramel-like flavor. They’re perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a simple dessert. And because they start with crescent dough, they come together so quickly with very little prep. No dates on hand? Try these easy crescent dough cinnamon rolls instead!
If you’re looking for more easy sweet treats, make sure to try these blueberry white chocolate muffins, these chocolate strawberry waffles, and this refreshing watermelon lime sorbet for a refreshing treat!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make these cinnamon pinwheels:
- Medjool Dates: The dates create a naturally sweet, caramel-like filling. Make sure they are soft before blending for the smoothest texture.
- Melted Butter: Helps make the filling rich and smooth.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm cinnamon flavor throughout the filling for that classic cinnamon roll taste.
- Milk: Helps loosen the filling so it blends smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds extra warmth and sweetness.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
- Crescent Dough: The shortcut ingredient that makes these pinwheels quick and easy to prep!
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
- Crescent Dough: Puff pastry can also work for a flakier texture.
- Milk: Any milk works well here, including dairy-free milk.
- Additions: You can sprinkle in some chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
- Extra Sweetness: Drizzle the baked pinwheels with a simple powdered sugar glaze if desired.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 2: Add the dates, melted butter, cinnamon, warm milk, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed (Images 1 & 2). You want the mixture to be as smooth as possible without chunks of dates.
STEP 3: Unroll the crescent dough and pinch the perforated seams together to create one large sheet of dough (Image 3). Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out if needed.
STEP 4: Spread the date mixture evenly over the dough in a thin layer (Images 4 & 5).
STEP 5: Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 10 strips along the long edge (Image 6). Roll each strip up tightly to form the pinwheels and place them onto the prepared baking sheet (Image 7).
STEP 6: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges (Image 8). Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Storage Instructions
Store cooled cinnamon pinwheels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to soften before serving.
Tips For Success
- Make sure the dates are soft before blending so the filling becomes completely smooth and creamy. If your dates feel firm or dry, soaking them in hot water for about 10 minutes can help them blend much more smoothly.
- Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to help everything blend evenly.
- If the filling feels too thick to spread easily, add an extra teaspoon of warm milk to loosen it slightly.
- Pinch the crescent dough seams together well so the filling does not leak through while baking. You can also use crescent sheets if you’re able to find them.
Recipe FAQs
If your dates feel firm or dry, soaking them in hot water for about 10 minutes can help them blend much more smoothly.
This usually happens if the dates are too dry. Make sure the dates are soft before blending and scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
Yes, depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry at 325°F for about 7 to 9 minutes, checking often near the end.
Other Date Recipes You’ll Love
Date Milk
Carrot Date Cake
Date Bites
Carrot Cake Bites (No-Bake)
If you tried these Cinnamon Pinwheels, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Cinnamon Pinwheels
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Medjool dates, pitted, make sure dates are soft! see note below.
- 2 tbsp melted butter, slightly cooled
- 2 tbsp warm milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 8 oz can crescent roll, or crescent sheets
- oil, milk, or egg wash, to brush on top of rolls (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the dates, melted butter, cinnamon, warm milk, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. You want the mixture to be as smooth as possible without chunks of dates.
- Unroll the crescent dough and pinch the perforated seams together to create one large sheet of dough. Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out if needed.
- Spread the date mixture evenly over the dough in a thin layer.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 10 strips along the long edge. Roll each strip up tightly to form the pinwheels and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Brush rolls with either oil, milk, or an egg wash if desired.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the dates are soft before blending so the filling becomes completely smooth and creamy. If your dates feel firm or dry, soaking them in hot water for about 10 minutes can help them blend much more smoothly.
- Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to help everything blend evenly.
- If the filling feels too thick to spread easily, add an extra teaspoon of warm milk to loosen it slightly.
- Pinch the crescent dough seams together well so the filling does not leak through while baking. You can also use crescent sheets if you’re able to find them.
