If you’ve ever craved that sweet, cinnamon-swirled goodness but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls will become your new breakfast (or dessert!) obsession. With a pillowy-soft dough, a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, and a drizzle of vanilla glaze, every bite feels like a warm hug. The best part? You can whip them up from scratch in just about an hour—no complicated steps or fancy equipment required. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday brunch, a holiday treat, or a spur-of-the-moment craving, these rolls are your shortcut to cinnamon roll bliss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls is how they transform pantry staples into something magical. Each ingredient pulls its weight, building up flavor, texture, and that signature aroma and golden color that makes cinnamon rolls irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure yet staying tender and light when kneaded just right.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness that carries through the dough, balancing perfectly with the filling.
- Salt: Just a hint brings out all the other flavors and ensures the rolls aren’t one-note sweet.
- Instant yeast: The secret to that quick, sky-high rise—no lengthy proofing needed!
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and gives the dough a rich, soft crumb.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Melted for the dough to stay moist, and softened for that irresistible, gooey filling.
- Large egg: Adds richness, color, and helps the rolls bake up fluffy.
- Brown sugar: Paired with cinnamon, it brings deep flavor and helps caramelize the filling.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice with its warming, distinctly sweet aroma and taste.
- Powdered sugar: The base for a simple, silky glaze that seeps into all the cracks.
- Milk (for glaze): Loosens the powdered sugar just enough for a pourable icing.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the glaze with fragrant, creamy notes that complement the cinnamon roll’s warmth.
How to Make Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Starting with a well-mixed base ensures that each cinnamon roll has consistent flavor and rises beautifully, setting the stage for that signature fluffiness.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough
Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg directly to the bowl. Give everything a good stir until a shaggy dough forms. No need for a stand mixer here—just a wooden spoon and a little elbow grease bring the dough together perfectly.
Step 3: Knead and Rest
Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 3 to 4 minutes, just until smooth and elastic. Then, cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 10 minutes. This quick rest relaxes the gluten, making rolling out so much easier.
Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Filling
While the dough is resting, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This creates a thick, spreadable filling that melts into gooey happiness once baked.
Step 5: Roll Out and Fill
Roll your dough into a 10×12-inch rectangle—it’s okay if it’s not perfectly straight. Evenly spread the cinnamon-butter mixture over the surface, taking care to reach those edges for that all-important swirled edge in every roll.
Step 6: Shape and Slice
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log. With a sharp knife or dental floss (surprisingly effective!), slice into 9 equal pieces. Each swirl promises a little burst of sweet cinnamon in every bite.
Step 7: Second Rise
Arrange the rolls in a greased 9-inch baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 20 minutes. This short, final proof is plenty thanks to instant yeast, ensuring wonderfully fluffy Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and the centers look set. Your kitchen will smell spectacular at this point—it’s hard to resist peeking!
Step 9: Glaze and Serve
While they’re still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze, then generously drizzle over the rolls. The icing seeps into the swirls, making every bite incredibly luscious.
How to Serve Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
Nothing quite tops a batch like a finishing sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or a light dusting of extra cinnamon for fragrance. If you’re feeling fancy, a few berries or orange zest add color and a hint of freshness. For those who love even more sweetness, a second drizzle of glaze right before serving is always welcome.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls with a big mug of creamy coffee, hot chocolate, or a chai latte for cozy vibes. For balance, a fruit salad or tangy Greek yogurt makes a lovely contrast to the rich, sweet rolls. They’re also right at home on a brunch table alongside scrambled eggs or a mild breakfast sausage.
Creative Ways to Present
These cinnamon rolls are a showstopper straight from the pan, but you can also arrange them on a rustic wooden board with little bowls of jam, nut butter, or extra glaze for dipping. For celebrations, stack them in a tower and dust with powdered sugar for a whimsical centerpiece. They also make adorable edible gifts—just wrap a few in parchment and tie with twine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any left, keep your Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The rolls will stay pillowy and moist—just be sure to let them cool completely before storing to avoid condensation making them soggy.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the baked (and cooled) rolls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. You can freeze them with or without the glaze; simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before enjoying. The glaze can also be made fresh and drizzled after reheating for that just-baked magic.
Reheating
Bring leftover rolls back to life by microwaving them individually for about 15-20 seconds, or pop a pan into a low (300°F) oven for 10 minutes. If you’ve frozen your batch, let them thaw fully, then warm as above. A quick zap is all it takes for that gooey, just-baked texture to return!
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant?
Absolutely! Just dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk with a pinch of the sugar and let it sit for 5 minutes to activate before adding to the dough. This extra step ensures a strong rise, keeping the Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls fluffy.
How can I make these rolls even softer and gooier?
For ultra-soft, decadent rolls, pour 1/4 cup heavy cream over the assembled rolls right before baking. This trick infuses extra moisture and richness—the result is an irresistibly gooey interior with caramelized edges.
Can I prepare the rolls ahead of time?
You can absolutely prep the rolls up until the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as usual. This is perfect for early-morning treats or entertaining.
Why are my cinnamon rolls dense and not fluffy?
If your rolls turn out dense, it might be from using too much flour or not letting the dough rest and rise enough. Measuring flour accurately and giving the dough proper kneading and proofing ensures your Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls bake up soft and tall every time.
Is there a dairy-free version?
You can easily make these cinnamon rolls dairy-free by using a plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk) and substituting vegan butter in the dough and filling. The glaze can also be mixed with non-dairy milk for equally delicious results!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking your own Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls and sharing them with people you love. The aroma, the gooey swirls, and that sweet vanilla glaze make for a memory as much as a meal. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls any day of the week!
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Easy One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these quick and easy one-hour cinnamon rolls for a delicious breakfast or sweet treat. Soft, fluffy rolls with a gooey cinnamon filling and a sweet glaze – perfect for any time of day!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Knead until smooth. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll out dough, spread filling, roll up, and cut into pieces. Place in baking dish.
- Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- If you prefer extra gooey rolls, pour 1/4 cup heavy cream over the rolls before baking.
- For a quicker rise, place the covered rolls in a warm, draft-free spot.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
