There’s something magical about freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The warm, sweet scent of cinnamon and sugar fills the kitchen, and as you bite into that soft, pillowy dough, it melts in your mouth. But what if I told you that you could have these warm, gooey cinnamon rolls in just ONE hour? Yes, it’s possible, and I’m going to show you exactly how to make them!
In this post, we’ll walk through a simple, quick, and delicious recipe that will leave you with soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls—no need to wait for hours for dough to rise. Whether you’re looking for a decadent breakfast or an afternoon treat, these one-hour cinnamon rolls are your answer. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These One Hour Cinnamon Rolls:
Quick and Easy: Most cinnamon roll recipes require hours of proofing and rising. Not this one! With the magic of instant yeast and a quick rise, you can have cinnamon rolls in just 60 minutes.
Soft and Fluffy: The dough for these rolls is rich and soft, thanks to the perfect balance of milk, butter, and eggs.
Homemade, No Compromise: You won’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment. Just a few pantry staples and you’re good to go.
Perfectly Sweet: The filling is made with a delicious combination of brown sugar and cinnamon, while the cream cheese frosting is the icing on the cake—literally.
Customizable: Add your favorite extras, like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips, to the filling if you’d like. This recipe is incredibly versatile!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F, or warm to the touch, not too hot)
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp salt
For the Filling:
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (optional for adjusting frosting consistency)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making One Hour Cinnamon Rolls:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by preparing the yeast mixture. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir it together and let it sit for 5 minutes. You should see the yeast start to bubble and foam up—that’s the magic happening. If your mixture doesn’t foam, it might mean the yeast is no longer active, and you should start again with fresh yeast. This step is important for getting a light, fluffy texture in your cinnamon rolls.
Pro Tip: The milk needs to be warm (110°F), but not too hot. If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast. Aim for the temperature of a warm bath.
Step 2: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Once your yeast is activated, it’s time to add in the egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Mix these together with the yeast mixture until fully combined. The egg and egg yolk add richness and moisture to the dough, making it soft and tender.
Pro Tip: Make sure the butter is melted and slightly cooled before adding it to avoid scrambling the egg!
Step 3: Add Flour and Salt
Next, add the flour and salt to the mixture. Mix until a dough begins to form. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. The dough should be soft but not too sticky. If it’s sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough comes together.
Pro Tip: When adding flour, always add it gradually. It’s easier to add more flour than it is to fix a dough that’s too dry!
Step 4: Knead the Dough
If you’re using a stand mixer, knead the dough on low speed for about 5 minutes. If you’re kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for the same amount of time. The dough should become smooth and elastic. Once done, shape it into a ball.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the kneading process. It develops the gluten, which is what gives the cinnamon rolls their structure.
Step 5: Let the Dough Rest
Now, cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, you can prepare the filling and frosting!
Making the Filling:
The filling for these cinnamon rolls is simple but so delicious. You’ll need brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. The sugar adds sweetness, and the cinnamon provides that classic spiced flavor.
Pro Tip: Use dark brown sugar for a richer, deeper flavor, or light brown sugar for a more delicate sweetness.
Once the sugar and cinnamon are combined, spread the softened butter evenly over the rolled-out dough. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the butter.
Step 6: Roll the Dough and Form the Rolls
Once your dough has rested, it’s time to roll it out. Flour your surface and roll the dough into a rectangle about 12×15 inches in size. You want to make sure it’s even so that your rolls bake uniformly.
Once the dough is rolled out, spread the butter over the entire surface. Be generous! Then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
Pro Tip: For a neater roll, use a bench scraper or a butter knife to spread the butter and cinnamon sugar mixture. This helps prevent tearing.
After you’ve added the filling, carefully roll the dough tightly from the longer edge into a log. Once it’s rolled up, use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the dough into 9-12 rolls, depending on how big or small you want them.
Pro Tip: If you’re using dental floss, simply slide it under the dough and pull the ends tight to slice through without squashing the rolls.
Step 7: Quick Rise and Bake
Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. They should fit snugly but not be overcrowded. Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for about 20 minutes. During this time, the oven can preheat to 350°F.
Once the rolls have risen, they’re ready to bake! Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Your kitchen will soon be filled with the mouthwatering scent of cinnamon and sugar!
Pro Tip: The rolls should be lightly golden on top when done. If you’re unsure, insert a toothpick to check for doneness—if it comes out clean, the rolls are ready!
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cinnamon rolls are baking, it’s time to prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you find the frosting too thick, add a little milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness!
Step 9: Frost and Enjoy!
Once your cinnamon rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls. The frosting will melt slightly, creating that irresistible gooey texture on top of each roll. Serve immediately and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Serving Suggestions and Tips:
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the perfect breakfast or snack.
- If you’re making these for a special occasion, top them with chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for added texture and flavor.
- These cinnamon rolls are best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Conclusion:
Who knew cinnamon rolls could be this easy and quick? In just one hour, you can make these soft, gooey, and irresistible cinnamon rolls from scratch—no long waiting time required! Whether you’re making them for a cozy morning at home or a special treat for guests, this recipe is sure to impress.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and whip up a batch of these one-hour cinnamon rolls and treat yourself to the ultimate homemade comfort food. Your kitchen (and taste buds) will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and fill the rolls ahead of time, then refrigerate them overnight. In the morning, just let them come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Can I freeze these rolls? Yes, after baking, let the rolls cool completely. Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- What if I don’t have instant yeast? You can use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, but be sure to proof it in warm milk with sugar for about 5 minutes before adding it to the dough.
- Can I make a vegan version of these rolls? Yes, you can substitute the butter for vegan butter and the milk for a non-dairy alternative. Use a flax egg or other egg substitute for the egg.