Table of Contents

Why make this recipe

If you’ve ever craved warm, gooey cinnamon rolls but felt daunted by the time it takes to make them, this easy one-hour cinnamon rolls recipe is perfect for you. It combines convenience with deliciousness, allowing you to satisfy your sweet tooth without spending all day in the kitchen. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and topped with creamy icing, making them an ideal treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

How to make Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

1 cup milk (I recommend whole or 2%)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 0.25 ounce packet active dry yeast (make sure it’s not expired!)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 Tbsp milk (add 1 tbsp at a time)

Directions:

First, begin preparing your dough by melting 1/2-stick unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 40-45 seconds, or until melted. Pour into a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
Next, heat milk in the same small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 45 seconds and pour into the bowl with the melted butter. Pro tip: To ensure your yeast mixture properly activates, I recommend using a digital thermometer to check that the temperature of the milk/butter is between 100-110 degrees F. If needed, you can microwave a little longer until the temperature is reached, or if the liquid is too hot, wait until it has cooled to between 100-110 degrees F before combining with the yeast/sugar.
Stir in sugar and yeast packet until dissolved. Cover with a tea cloth/towel or plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
While you are waiting for your dough to activate, preheat your oven to the lowest setting (mine is 170 degrees F).
After 10 minutes, the yeast mixture should be fully frothy/foamy. Remove the towel and add in 1 egg, salt, and vanilla extract.
Begin adding in flour in 1/2 cup increments, folding in with a spatula until combined. If easier, you can use your hands to incorporate the last bit of flour. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but not too sticky.
Form dough into a round ball in the bowl and cover with a tea cloth. Turn your oven OFF and place the covered dough in the warm oven to proof for 10 minutes.
While your dough is proofing, begin preparing your cinnamon sugar filling. In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to combine softened butter, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until combined. Set aside.
Once the dough has proofed for 10 minutes, remove the towel and place the dough on a large pastry mat or a clean, lightly greased or floured surface to roll out. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 14” x 18” rectangle and 1/4” thick.
Next, begin preheating oven to 350 degrees and use an offset spatula to spread the cinnamon sugar butter mixture on your dough almost to the edges.
Starting with the short side towards you, tightly roll vertically away from you to form a log.
Once rolled, use a dough scraper or knife to pre-mark the dough for cutting. First, pre-mark the dough in half, then pre-mark half of those halves, and lastly pre-mark three slices in each section for a total of 12 even cinnamon rolls. Use a serrated edge knife to cut each slice with slow, back and forth sawing motions for the cleanest cuts, making sure not to press down too hard or the filling will seep out.
Next, place cinnamon rolls in a 9×13 baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are a light golden brown.
Let cool for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack.
While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, prepare your cream cheese icing. Use an electric hand mixer to combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (1 tbsp at a time) in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and continue adding milk until desired icing consistency is reached. (Add more milk for a thinner drizzle, and less for a thicker icing).
Spread cream cheese icing on warm cinnamon rolls, serve, and enjoy!

How to serve Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

These warm cinnamon rolls are perfect on their own or served with a cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, drizzled generously with cream cheese icing. You can also serve them with fresh fruit or some chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.

How to store Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

To store leftover cinnamon rolls, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can stay fresh for about 2-3 days. For longer storage, consider placing them in the refrigerator, where they can last for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or pop them back into the oven for a few minutes until warmed through.

Tips to make Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature, especially the butter and cream cheese for the icing, to make mixing easier.
Keep an eye on the yeast; if it does not froth after 10 minutes, it may be inactive, and you’ll need to start over.
Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar in the filling to suit your taste.

Variation

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some chocolate chips or nuts to the filling for an extra flavor twist! You can also experiment with different icing flavors, such as adding cocoa powder for a chocolate cream cheese icing.

FAQs

1. Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and filling in advance, roll them up, and place them in the pan. Just cover and refrigerate them overnight, then let them come to room temperature and proof for about 30 minutes before baking.

2. What can I substitute for the cream cheese icing?
If you prefer a simpler glaze, mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until you reach your desired consistency, or use melted chocolate for a chocolate glaze.

3. How can I make these cinnamon rolls vegan?
To make vegan cinnamon rolls, substitute the milk with a non-dairy alternative, use vegan butter instead of regular butter, and omit the egg or use a flax seed egg as a replacement. For the cream cheese icing, you can use a vegan cream cheese alternative.