If you’ve ever craved cinnamon rolls but thought they’d take all morning, get excited—these Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) will absolutely change your brunch game! Imagine warm, fluffy rolls, swirled generously with brown sugar and cinnamon, fresh from the oven in just an hour. Each bite is soft, sweet, and irresistible, topped with a rich vanilla glaze that melts right into the rolls. If you love the classic bakery treat but want that homemade, fresh-from-the-oven magic with minimal fuss, this is the recipe you need.

Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) is how just a handful of simple ingredients come together to create something so special. Each item here is carefully chosen for the best taste, texture, and those signature gooey swirls you dream about.

Warm Milk (1 cup, 110°F): The perfect start for activating the yeast and giving the dough a wonderfully tender texture.
Instant Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): This works quickly, ensuring your cinnamon rolls rise beautifully in record time.
Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens the dough and adds just the right hint of sweetness to the bread itself.
Unsalted Butter (1/4 cup, melted + 1/2 cup, softened): Adds rich flavor to the dough and makes the filling decadently gooey.
Egg (1 large): Binds the dough for that pillowy-soft crumb.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for balancing flavors and bringing out the cinnamon’s warmth.
All-purpose Flour (3 to 3 1/2 cups): Just enough to make the dough soft and manageable but not dense.
Brown Sugar (3/4 cup): The star of the filling—it caramelizes during baking for that signature gooey center.
Ground Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Delivers bold, sweet-spice flavor in every layer.
Powdered Sugar (1 1/2 cups): For a silky-smooth glaze that melts into the warm rolls.
Heavy Cream or Milk (3 tablespoons): Loosens the glaze and creates a pourable, creamy consistency.
Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): That little hint of vanilla in the glaze really elevates the whole experience.

How to Make Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey)

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by warming your milk to just about 110°F (it should feel slightly warm but not hot to the touch). Pour it into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and sprinkle the instant yeast over the top. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it looks foamy on the surface—an essential step to ensure those cinnamon rolls will rise quickly and perfectly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add your granulated sugar, melted butter, large egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix everything until a soft dough starts to form. If the dough seems too sticky, sprinkle in extra flour one tablespoon at a time until it comes together into a soft but not dry ball. This helps ensure your Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) have just the right chewy, flaky texture.

Step 3: Knead and Rest

Knead the dough by hand or in your mixer with the dough hook attachment for 5 to 7 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 10 minutes. That’s all the resting time these magic rolls need!

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a generous 10×15-inch rectangle. This gives you enough surface area for plenty of filling and ensures those lovely cinnamon spirals. Try to keep the dough even in thickness for perfectly cooked rolls throughout.

Step 5: Spread and Sprinkle the Filling

Take your softened butter and spread it evenly over the entire rectangle of dough. Then, sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter, followed by a hearty scattering of ground cinnamon. This is the layer where all that sticky, gooey magic happens. Give each spot equal love so every bite is heaven.

Step 6: Roll Up and Slice

Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or even unflavored dental floss to slice the log into 12 equal pieces. This technique keeps those gorgeous swirls intact and helps resist squishing the roll.

Step 7: Arrange and Bake

Place the sliced rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving just a bit of space between each so they have room to puff up and get extra fluffy. Bake in your preheated oven at 375°F for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing.

Step 8: Glaze and Serve

While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. The moment your Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) come out of the oven, drizzle the glaze generously over the top so it seeps into the rolls. Serve immediately, and savor every gooey swirl!

How to Serve Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey)

Garnishes

You can absolutely enjoy these cinnamon rolls just as they are, fresh and warm from the oven—but if you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the glaze adds a lovely crunch. A dusting of extra cinnamon or even a swirl of caramel sauce instantly elevates your Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) to bakery-counter status.

Side Dishes

To create the ultimate breakfast spread, serve your cinnamon rolls alongside fresh berries, a fruit salad, or a big bowl of creamy Greek yogurt. Their sweetness pairs beautifully with crisp bacon or sausage links if you’re after something savory to contrast the ooey-gooey treats. And of course, don’t forget plenty of hot coffee or cool, creamy milk on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun and festive take, arrange the rolls on a large platter and drizzle the glaze right before serving for that impressive “wow” effect. Stack them on a tiered cake stand and let guests pull them apart at brunch, or tuck wax paper squares between each roll for a grab-and-go option. You can even bake Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) in muffin tins for individual, irresistible swirls that are perfect for gifting or brunch parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (a big “if”), let your cinnamon rolls cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out, so you can relive that fresh-baked taste all over again the next morning.

Freezing

Want to make these Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) ahead of time? Let the baked (but unglazed) rolls cool fully and then freeze in a well-sealed container or wrapped tightly in foil. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature, warm through, and glaze just before eating for a just-baked experience any day of the week!

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven taste, simply warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or reheat a whole pan loosely covered with foil in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. A tiny splash of water in the pan can help keep the rolls soft and gooey. Glaze after reheating if you’ve stored them plain for best results.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Absolutely! If you only have active dry yeast, let it dissolve in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar for about 10 minutes until very foamy, then proceed as directed. It may take an extra 5–10 minutes for the dough to rise, but the results will still be delicious.

How do I keep the rolls super soft and gooey?

The trick is not to overbake—the rolls should be just golden and still soft when you take them out. Pour the glaze over while they’re warm so it seeps into every layer, guaranteeing that ooey gooey texture every time.

Can I make Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare and slice the rolls, then place them in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature before baking in the morning. Freshly baked, they’ll taste just as incredible as if you’d made them all in one go.

Why is my dough sticky? Should I add more flour?

A slightly sticky dough is actually a good sign that your rolls will bake up soft and pillowy. Only add flour a tablespoon at a time, and stop when the dough pulls away from the bowl but is still soft and slightly tacky to the touch.

Can these cinnamon rolls be made dairy-free?

Definitely! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk for the dairy milk, and use vegan butter in both the dough and the filling. Swap the heavy cream in the glaze for a rich coconut cream or more plant-based milk. You’ll still get Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) with all the soft, sweet decadence you crave.

Final Thoughts

Life is simply too short to wait hours for your cinnamon roll fix, and with Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey), you don’t have to! Whether you’re serving them for brunch, a holiday gathering, or just because you need something cozy and sweet, these rolls are bound to make you the hero of your kitchen. Give them a try, and treat yourself to that perfectly gooey, homemade cinnamon roll experience—every time.

Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these decadent and irresistible Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls (Ooey Gooey) that are perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet treat. With a soft, fluffy dough, a gooey cinnamon filling, and a sweet glaze, these rolls are sure to become a family favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

1 cup warm milk (110°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the filling:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Dough Preparation: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add sugar, melted butter, egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms, adding more flour 1 tablespoon at a time if needed. Knead by hand or with the dough hook for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Rolling and Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the rested dough into a 10×15-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Glaze and Serve: While baking, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to make the glaze. Drizzle over the warm rolls and serve immediately.

Notes

To save time, you can speed up dough rising by placing it in a slightly warm oven (turned off).
These rolls are best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated briefly for a soft, gooey texture.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American