Hey there, cinnamon roll lovers! If you’re looking for the perfect bite-sized treat that’s just as warm, sweet, and delicious as the classic version, you’re in the right place. My Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is here to bring you all the cozy flavors you love—just in a smaller, more snackable size! Made from scratch with simple, wholesome ingredients, these little rolls are soft, gooey, and bursting with cinnamon goodness. Whether you’re planning a brunch, surprising your family with a special breakfast, or simply craving something sweet, this Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is sure to be a new favorite. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll keep coming back to this Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe again and again!
Why You'll Love These Mini Cinnamon Rolls?
There's something magical about the aroma of freshly baked Mini Cinnamon Rolls wafting through your kitchen. These mini versions take everything wonderful about traditional cinnamon rolls and package them into charming, bite-sized treats. They're perfect for portion control, ideal for sharing, and absolutely delightful for any occasion. Plus, their smaller size means they bake faster than regular cinnamon rolls, so you can enjoy them sooner!
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Ingredients
The Dough:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
The Filling:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
The Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until a soft dough forms, then gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of flour as needed.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Making the Filling
- Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Have your softened butter ready for spreading.
Forming the Mini Rolls
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 14x18 inch rectangle.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
- Using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife, cut the log into 24 equal pieces.
Second Rise and Baking
- Place the rolls in greased mini muffin tins.
- Cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Frosting
- Spread or drizzle over warm rolls.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until well combined.
- Add milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Dough: Mix ingredients, knead until smooth, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Filling: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside butter.
- Rolling : Roll out dough, spread butter, add filling, roll up, and slice.
- Baking : Let rolls rise, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.
- Frosting : Mix frosting ingredients and spread over warm rolls.
Equipment For Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Pastry brush
- Mini muffin tin
- Rolling pin
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer (optional but helpful)
Hints and Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best dough consistency
- Don't overheat the milk – it should be warm, not hot, to keep the yeast alive
- For extra-gooey rolls, double the filling ingredients
- Make sure to roll the dough tightly to prevent gaps
Recipe Variations
- No-Yeast Version: Use 2 cups self-rising flour and skip the yeast
- Pumpkin Spice: Add ½ cup pumpkin puree to the dough and use pumpkin pie spice
- Apple Cinnamon: Add finely diced apples to the filling
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk, butter, and cream cheese
Storage
- To reheat: Microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months
Top Tip
The key to perfectly shaped mini cinnamon rolls recipe is chilling the rolled dough for 10 minutes before cutting. This firms up the butter and makes it easier to get clean cuts without squishing the rolls.
FAQ
What is the secret ingredient in Cinnabon?
Cinnabon's signature taste comes from Makara cinnamon, a specific type of Indonesian cinnamon. This premium cinnamon has a higher oil content than regular grocery store cinnamon, creating a stronger, sweeter flavor. They also add margarine and cream cheese to their dough, making their rolls extra rich and tender.
What does pouring heavy cream on cinnamon rolls do?
Pouring heavy cream over cinnamon rolls before baking creates an ultra-soft, gooey texture. The cream soaks into the dough and caramelizes with the sugar filling during baking, resulting in a rich, moist center and a caramelized bottom. This technique transforms regular cinnamon rolls into decadent, bakery-style treats.
How to make boxed cinnamon rolls better?
To improve boxed mini cinnamon rolls recipe:
Add 1 tablespoon of butter and heavy cream to the dough
Mix extra cinnamon and brown sugar into the filling
Replace water with warm milk
Add vanilla extract to the icing
Top with homemade cream cheese frosting instead of the packaged icing
What's the difference between cinnamon buns and cinnamon rolls?
Cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns differ mainly in their topping. Cinnamon rolls typically have cream cheese or vanilla frosting on top, while cinnamon buns are glazed with a sticky caramel-pecan topping. Both start with the same sweet dough and cinnamon filling, but their finishing touches make them distinct treats.
Delicious,and Easy: Your Go-To Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a batch of homemade goodness, and my Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is the perfect way to bring warmth and joy to any morning! These little bites of cinnamon-swirled perfection are not only irresistibly delicious, but their mini size makes them ideal for sharing with family and friends. Whether you're making them for a cozy breakfast, a festive brunch, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. Give it a try, and don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know how your Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe turned out—I’d love to hear all about it!
If you loved our recent Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, you’ll want to check out some of our other delicious treats! Try the Cherry Pie Bars Recipe for a sweet and tangy twist on a classic favorite, or indulge in the rich layers of our Classic Chocolate Babka Recipe for a truly decadent experience. Looking for something a bit healthier? Our Homemade No-Bake Protein Bars are the perfect grab-and-go snack, and the Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake brings the comforting flavors of fall right to your kitchen. Each of these recipes is simple to make and sure to satisfy your cravings!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pastry brush
- 1 Mini Muffin Tin Greased
- 1 Rolling pin
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 set Measuring cups/spoons
- 1 Stand mixer Optional
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour sifted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Instant yeast (1 packet)
- ½ teaspoon Salt room temperature
- ¾ cup Warm milk (110°F)
- 3 tablespoon Unsalted butter Melted
- 1 large Egg Room temperature
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
For the Filling
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup Brown sugar Packed
- 2 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg optional
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon milk As needed
Instructions
- Mix 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a bowl
- Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla
- Knead dough until smooth
- Let dough rise for 30 minutes
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon
- Roll out dough into a rectangle
- Spread butter over dough
- Sprinkle filling evenly
- Roll up dough tightly
- Cut dough into 24 pieces
- Place in mini muffin tin
- Let rolls rise for 20-30 minutes
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Bake for 12-15 minutes
- Beat cream cheese and butter
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk
- Spread frosting over warm rolls
Notes
- Make sure milk is warm (110°F) but not hot
- Room temperature ingredients work best
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight
- Freezes well unfrosted for up to 2 months
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