Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Is there anything better than the smell of warm cinnamon rolls baking on a lazy weekend morning? I’ve always thought it’s the closest thing to a hug your kitchen can give you. But let’s be real—traditional recipes that require hours of rising and waiting just don’t fit into a busy Tuesday (or let’s face it, even a busy Saturday). That’s why I became obsessed with creating the perfect Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls. Yes, you read that right. From bowl to ooey-gooey glory in just 60 minutes. This recipe is my answer to craving that incredible homemade taste without spending your entire day in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is about to become your secret weapon. Here’s why:

• Shockingly Quick: We’re bypassing the long rise times typical of yeast doughs, thanks to a clever little trick.
• Incredibly Soft & Fluffy: Don’t let the speed fool you. The texture is every bit as pillowy as the all-day versions.
• Picky-Eater Approved: A universal crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family breakfasts, holiday brunches, or even a sweet treat after dinner.
• Customizable: Once you master the base, the flavor variations are endless. I’ll share some of my favorites below.

Cinnamon Rolls in 60 Min Quick Baking

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x

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Description

Easy cinnamon rolls in just 60 minutes Quick baking tech Perfect gooey homemade rolls fast Recipe pro tips included

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Ingredients

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• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) rapid-rise or instant yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp milk, as needed for consistency

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Instructions

• Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk, water, and melted butter until warm (110°F). Pour the warm liquid into the flour mixture and add the egg. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the remaining ¾ cup of flour to form a soft dough.
• Knead & Rest: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should be slightly sticky. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Create the Filling: While the dough rests, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until it forms a spreadable paste.
• Roll it Out: After resting, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a roughly 12×9 inch rectangle.
• Add the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Roll it Up: Starting from a long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it.
• Cut the Rolls: Using a sharp serrated knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal slices.
• Arrange & Bake: Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover the pan and let them rise in a warm, draft-free place for 25-30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 10 minutes of rising. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Glaze & Serve: While the rolls bake, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until smooth. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and serve immediately!

Notes

Unbelievably fluffy and delicious homemade cinnamon rolls from bowl to ooey-gooey glory in just 60 minutes. Perfect for a quick and satisfying sweet treat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12 rolls
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Protein: 5 g

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before we dive in, let’s get everything on the counter. The beauty of these rolls is in their simplicity. You likely have most of this in your pantry right now!

For the Dough:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) rapid-rise or instant yeast
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F – warm to the touch, not hot)
• ¼ cup water
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional, but Highly Recommended):

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp milk, as needed for consistency

Let’s Make These Incredible Cinnamon Rolls!

Now for the fun part! I promise, this process is so straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be a cinnamon roll hero in no time.

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk, water, and melted butter until warm (110°F). Pour the warm liquid into the flour mixture and add the egg. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the remaining ¾ cup of flour to form a soft dough.
2. Knead & Rest: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should be slightly sticky. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 10 minutes. This is our secret for a quick rise!
3. Create the Filling: While the dough rests, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until it forms a spreadable paste.
4. Roll it Out: After resting, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a roughly 12×9 inch rectangle.
5. Add the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Roll it Up: Starting from a long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it.
7. Cut the Rolls: Using a sharp serrated knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal slices.
8. Arrange & Bake: Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover the pan and let them rise in a warm, draft-free place for 25-30 minutes. They won’t double in size, but they will puff up noticeably. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 10 minutes of rising. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Glaze & Serve: While the rolls bake, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until smooth. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and serve immediately!

Equipment You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Serrated knife or dental floss for cutting

Tips for Cinnamon Roll Success

I’ve made these more times than I can count, and here are my best tips to guarantee perfect results every single time.

• Yeast is Key: Make sure you use rapid-rise or instant yeast. Active dry yeast will require activation and a longer rise, which defeats our one-hour goal!
• Warm, Not Hot Liquid: If the milk mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate. It should feel pleasantly warm on your wrist, like bath water.
• The Dental Floss Trick: For perfectly round rolls without squishing them, slide a piece of dental floss under the roll, cross the ends over the top, and pull. It slices through cleanly every time.
• Don’t Over-Bake: Keep a close eye on them after 15 minutes. You want them golden, not dark brown, for a soft and tender texture.

This recipe is a lifesaver for holiday mornings. One Christmas Eve, I realized I’d forgotten to make my usual overnight cinnamon rolls. Panic set in until I remembered this quick version. They were such a hit, my family now requests them over the original!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

These rolls are heavenly all on their own, but they’re even better with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For a full brunch spread, pair them with some savory dishes to balance the sweetness. They’re fantastic alongside a fluffy simple omelette or some crispy bacon. The sweet and savory combination is absolutely irresistible.

Your Cinnamon Roll Questions, Answered!

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, take them out, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while your oven preheats, and then bake as directed. The rise time might be a bit longer since the dough will be cold.

Can I freeze baked cinnamon rolls?

Yes, they freeze beautifully. Let the baked (and unglazed) rolls cool completely. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven or microwave before adding the glaze.

What can I use instead of cream cheese for the glaze?

If you’re not a cream cheese fan, a simple powdered sugar glaze works wonderfully. Just mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. For a dairy-free option, you can make a simple dairy-free glaze with powdered sugar and a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk.

My dough is sticky. What should I do?

Don’t panic! Doughs can behave differently based on humidity and flour type. Just add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, while kneading until the dough becomes smooth and only slightly tacky to the touch.

A Few Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, have some fun with it! Here are a few ideas:

• Apple Pie Rolls: Add a layer of finely chopped apples over the cinnamon sugar filling before rolling.
• Chocolate Hazelnut: Swap the cinnamon filling for your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread.
• Orange Cardamom: Add the zest of one orange and ½ teaspoon of cardamom to the dough, and use orange juice in the glaze instead of milk.

The possibilities are truly endless, which is what makes baking so much fun. If you’re looking for another quick baking project, you might love my favorite banana bread recipe—it’s another family favorite that comes together in a flash.

Nutrition Information

Please note, these are approximate values per roll (with glaze) and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

• Calories: 320
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 9g

So there you have it—the secret to unbelievably fluffy, delicious Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls that are sure to impress. They prove that you don’t need a whole day to create something special from scratch. I hope this recipe brings as much joy and deliciousness to your kitchen as it has to mine. Now, who’s ready to preheat the oven?