These quick yeast cinnamon rolls are ready in 90 minutes, bake up soft and fluffy with gooey centers, and are topped with the best cream cheese frosting!
This recipe was modified in December 2024. The only update is that the butter is now mixed into the cinnamon roll filling, rather than being spread out on the dough, and then topped with the cinnamon brown sugar. I think this makes the process easier and gives every bite a more consistent, delicious flavor. I've also shared instructions on how to use the cut-then-roll technique, which is now my preferred method of cutting cinnamon rolls. If you want the original recipe, please email me at [email protected].
Make sure you are using instant yeast! It comes in small packets that can usually be found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
You can use active dry yeast in place of the instant yeast in this recipe, just be sure to activate it with a bit of warm water and sugar before adding it to the dough and allow the dough to rise for longer (active yeast takes longer to rise than instant).
Yes, you can! If you want to make more cinnamon rolls, I'd recommend doubling the ingredients, cutting 12 cinnamon rolls, and baking them in a 9x13-inch metal pan. Bake them at 350 F / 175 C for 28-32 minutes, or until golden brown.
This will yield cinnamon rolls that are a bit taller and larger.
If you want to make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time, be my guest! I’m all about working ahead and making life easier.
This recipe can be made the evening before and then baked the following morning. I've included instructions for this in the recipe card below.
You can also bake the cinnamon rolls, then let them cool and freeze them individually.
This is what I do with our leftover cinnamon rolls. I leave the leftover rolls unfrosted, then tightly wrap each roll in a layer of plastic wrap, then foil. I move individual cinnamon rolls from the freezer to the fridge the night before I want to eat them.
Then in the morning, I unwrap the cinnamon roll and heat it up in the microwave until it’s warm and gooey. This usually takes about 30 seconds in my microwave.