Consider this your cinnamon roll home base. Recipes are organized by skill level, from quick beginner rolls to overnight bakery-style ones, plus fun variations the whole family will love. You will also find helpful tips for dough, rising, shaping, and frosting, so every batch turns out amazing.
Want Something Easy? Start Here.
New to baking? Start with these simple recipes to build your confidence. They’re easy, reliable, and the perfect way to get comfortable before moving on to the next level.
Quick 45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls
Quick & Easy Options
Dough Readiness Tips (kneading + shaping)
- Dough should be smooth, stretchy, and pass the windowpane test.
- It should feel springy and bounce back from a light poke.
- When rolling out, stretch the corners to keep a rectangle. If the dough springs back, rest it 5–10 minutes and continue.
Ready for Bakery Style?
Take things up a notch. These cinnamon roll recipes keep all the classic goodness, but ask for one or two extra steps that level up your baking without making it feel like work.
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Roll Breadtwists
Yeast + Rising Tips
- Active Dry: If using active yeast, dissolve it in warm liquid.
- Instant: If using instant yeast, mix it directly into flour. *Instant yeast rises faster.
- Rising: Let the dough rise until doubled. It should look puffy and spring back slowly when lightly pressed. *Don’t let the dough rise more than double.
Love The Flavor and Want to Mix It Up?
If you’re as obsessed with that cinnamon-and-sugar magic as I am, you’ll want it on everything. These recipes take that classic combo and spin it into fun, unexpected twists.
Variations on a Cinnamon Roll
How to Keep the Filling from Coming Out
Roll the dough snugly and use butter that’s soft but not melting. Mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch into the cinnamon sugar so it stays inside the swirl.
Mastered the Original? Try Something New
Ready for something different? I’ve got lots of different types of cinnamon rolls that use the same basic techniques but switch up the flavor.
Change Up Your Classic Cinnamon Roll
Flavor Swaps
Use the classic dough base and swap fillings such as pumpkin, caramel apple, or berry-lemon.
Don’t Forget To Frost The Cinnamon Rolls
If I’m honest, the frosting is the whole reason I show up for cinnamon rolls. It’s the magic. Here are a few ways to top yours so you get exactly the vibe you want!
Cinnamon Roll Icing
Cream Cheese Frosting
Buttercream Frosting
Frosting Warm Rolls
Frost while the rolls are still warm, but not too hot, so the frosting slightly melts into every swirl.
Cutting Tips & Tricks
A few simple tricks make slicing cinnamon rolls cleaner, easier, and way less messy.
- Always use a sharp knife! Cut with a gentle sawing motion.
- Dental Floss: You can also use dental floss for clean, even cuts. Make sure it isn’t scented.
- Slice Before Rolling: If it is easier, you can slice the dough into strips before rolling.
Bookmark This Page!
I’m always updating it with new ideas, so you’ll never run out of ways to make Cinnamon Rolls exciting again!
This story originally appeared on TheRecipeCritic
