The thought of making cinnamon rolls from scratch can be intimidating, evoking images of complicated doughs and hours of waiting. But the truth is, creating a pan of warm, gooey, perfectly frosted cinnamon rolls is an incredibly rewarding process that is well within the reach of any beginner.
Of course, here is the summary table for the 30 homemade cinnamon roll recipes for beginners, with the category column left empty and an estimated cost added for each.
The secret is starting with simple, reliable recipes and a few key tips. This collection of 30 recipes is designed to demystify the process, guiding you from a simple bag of flour to a tray of pure comfort, proving that anyone can master this beloved treat.
The Easiest Starting Points
These recipes are the perfect introduction to the world of homemade cinnamon rolls. They use straightforward techniques and simple doughs to guarantee a delicious, confidence building success.
1. The Classic Overnight Rolls
This is the ultimate beginner recipe. You do all the work the day before, and the dough rises slowly in the fridge overnight. You just wake up, bake, and frost.
DIY Tips:
- The cold dough is firm and much easier to roll out and slice than a soft, warm dough.
- Let the rolls sit on the counter for about 45 minutes before baking to take the chill off.
- This is a perfect make ahead recipe for a special holiday morning.
2. The 1 Hour Rapid Rise Rolls
For when you need cinnamon rolls fast, this recipe uses quick rise yeast and a warm spot to get you from mixing to eating in about an hour.
DIY Tips:
- Make sure your milk is warm but not hot to the touch (about 110 degrees F) to properly activate the yeast.
- A great “warm spot” for rising is in your oven with the light on (but the oven turned off).
- These rolls are best eaten fresh and warm, right after frosting.
3. No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
If yeast is what scares you, this recipe is for you. These rolls use baking powder for leavening, creating a soft, tender, biscuit like roll with no rising time required.
DIY Tips:
- Do not overmix the dough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the rolls tender.
- Buttermilk will give these rolls the best texture and a lovely, subtle tang.
- These bake up quickly and are best served immediately.
4. Simple Sour Cream Dough Rolls
This old fashioned trick uses sour cream to create a rich, moist, and incredibly forgiving dough that is easy to work with and results in a very tender roll.
DIY Tips:
- Use full fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture.
- The dough will be quite rich and easy to handle, not too sticky.
- A simple powdered sugar glaze is a perfect complement to this slightly tangy dough.
5. The “Dinner Roll” Dough Method
This resourceful technique uses a single, versatile sweet yeast dough that can be used for both your dinner rolls and a batch of cinnamon rolls, saving you time and effort.
DIY Tips:
- This dough is typically less sweet, so be generous with your cinnamon sugar filling.
- Make a large batch of dough, use half for savory rolls, and half for your sweet treat.
- This is a fantastic time saving strategy for a big holiday meal.
Super Simple “Cheater” Rolls
For the absolute beginner, these recipes use store bought doughs to deliver that homemade taste with almost no effort. They are a perfect way to build your confidence.
6. Canned Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls
This is the ultimate shortcut. Canned biscuit dough is separated, flattened, spread with a buttery cinnamon sugar filling, and rolled up for a super fast treat.
DIY Tips:
- Use the layered style “Grands” biscuits, as they are easy to unroll into a rectangle.
- Be generous with the filling. Use very soft butter to make spreading easy.
- Bake these in a muffin tin for individual, perfectly shaped rolls.
7. Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Refrigerated crescent roll dough provides a buttery, flaky base for a quick and easy cinnamon roll that is ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
DIY Tips:
- Unroll the crescent dough and pinch the seams together to form a solid rectangle before adding the filling.
- A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk is all these need.
- These are a fantastic last minute breakfast treat that kids love to help make.
8. Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
Store bought puff pastry is spread with filling, rolled, sliced, and baked for a light, crispy, and flaky version of a cinnamon roll that feels incredibly fancy.
DIY Tips:
- Make sure your puff pastry is thawed but still cold for the flakiest layers.
- Do not press down on the sliced rolls when you place them on the baking sheet, as this can compress the layers.
- These are wonderful with a simple powdered sugar glaze.
9. Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Monkey Bread)
This is a fun, pull apart treat that is impossible to mess up. Cubes of canned biscuit dough are tossed in cinnamon sugar and baked with a simple butter and brown sugar sauce.
DIY Tips:
- Cut refrigerated biscuits into quarters for the perfect bite sized pieces.
- Pouring a half cup of heavy cream over the rolls before baking will make them incredibly gooey and rich.
- This is a perfect dish for a crowd or a family brunch.
Simple & Classic Flavors
These recipes focus on the timeless, comforting flavors that everyone loves, with easy to follow instructions.
10. The Easiest Cream Cheese Frosting
This is the iconic cinnamon roll topping. All you need is softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla.
DIY Tips:
- Make sure the cream cheese and butter are truly soft to avoid lumps.
- Use a hand mixer for the smoothest, creamiest frosting in just a couple of minutes.
- Spread the frosting on the rolls while they are still warm so it melts into every crevice.
11. Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze
A light, sweet finish that is perfect for beginners. It is a simple mix of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
DIY Tips:
- For a thicker glaze, add less milk. For a thinner glaze, add a little more.
- Whisk until completely smooth to get rid of any powdered sugar lumps.
- Drizzle the glaze over the rolls while they are still slightly warm for a beautiful finish.
12. Double Cinnamon Filling
For the true cinnamon lover, this is a simple adjustment to any recipe. Just double the amount of cinnamon in your filling for a bold, spicy flavor.
DIY Tips:
- Use a high quality, fragrant cinnamon like Saigon for the best flavor.
- Brush the dough with a generous amount of softened butter to help the thick layer of filling adhere.
- Roll the log as tightly as you can to keep all that delicious filling inside.
13. The Classic Raisin Roll
A timeless addition. Plump raisins are sprinkled over the cinnamon sugar filling, adding little bursts of sweetness and a lovely chewy texture.
DIY Tips:
- Plump your raisins before using by soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain them well before using.
- This is a simple way to add texture and flavor to any basic cinnamon roll recipe.
- An orange infused glaze beautifully complements the raisins.
14. Toasted Pecan or Walnut Rolls
Adding the buttery crunch of toasted nuts is an easy way to make your rolls seem more gourmet.
DIY Tips:
- Toast your nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they are fragrant. This makes a huge difference in flavor.
- Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the filling before rolling, and save some to sprinkle on top of the frosting.
- Pecans offer a sweeter flavor, while walnuts have a more robust, earthy taste.
Easy Flavor Twists
These recipes show you how to easily change the flavor of a basic roll with simple ingredient swaps.
15. Simple Orange Sweet Rolls
A beloved classic, these rolls swap the cinnamon for a bright, sweet orange filling and are topped with a delicious orange infused glaze.
DIY Tips:
- For the filling, simply mix orange zest with sugar until it is fragrant.
- Use fresh squeezed orange juice in the glaze for the best, most authentic flavor.
- This is a wonderfully refreshing alternative to the traditional cinnamon roll.
16. Maple Glazed Rolls
Simply using pure maple syrup in your glaze instead of milk gives the rolls a distinct, cozy, and authentic autumnal flavor.
DIY Tips:
- Use a dark, robust grade of maple syrup for the most intense flavor.
- A sprinkle of crispy, crumbled bacon on top of the maple glaze is a delicious and easy sweet and salty combination.
- You can also add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the cinnamon sugar filling.
17. Brown Butter Rolls
The simple act of browning your butter for the filling and the frosting adds an incredible depth of nutty, toasted flavor. It is a one step way to make your rolls taste gourmet.
DIY Tips:
- Cook the butter in a light colored pan until it foams and you see browned bits at the bottom. Let it cool slightly before using.
- A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the finished rolls is essential to balance the richness.
- This technique makes any basic recipe taste incredibly special.
18. Chocolate Chip Rolls
A simple, kid approved addition that makes any cinnamon roll feel more like a special dessert. Mini chocolate chips are sprinkled over the filling before rolling.
DIY Tips:
- Use mini chocolate chips, as they distribute more evenly and are less likely to create large melted pockets.
- A simple vanilla glaze is the perfect complement.
- This is a fantastic addition for a special birthday breakfast.
19. Using Apple Pie Spice
For a more complex fall flavor, simply swap the cinnamon in your filling for an equal amount of apple pie spice.
DIY Tips:
- Apple pie spice is a pre made blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- This is a one ingredient way to make your rolls taste even more autumnal.
- This spice blend is fantastic with a caramel or maple glaze.
Easy Holiday & Themed Rolls
These recipes show how a simple roll can be adapted for special occasions with minimal extra effort.
20. Easy Pumpkin Spice Rolls
The quintessential fall treat. A little bit of canned pumpkin puree is added to the dough, and the filling is loaded with pumpkin pie spices.
DIY Tips:
- The pumpkin puree adds extra moisture, so you may need to add a little more flour to get a soft dough.
- A maple cream cheese frosting is the perfect autumnal topping.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy finish.
21. Red Velvet Rolls
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, these rolls get their color from red food coloring and have a subtle cocoa flavor. A tangy cream cheese frosting is a must.
DIY Tips:
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant red without adding too much extra liquid to the dough.
- The filling is typically a simple butter, sugar, and cocoa mixture. The main flavor comes from the dough and frosting.
- Be generous with the cream cheese frosting. It is an essential part of the red velvet experience.
22. Simple Gingerbread Rolls
Dark, spicy, and fragrant with molasses and ginger, these rolls are the essence of the holiday season.
DIY Tips:
- Use a dark, robust molasses for the deepest, most authentic gingerbread flavor.
- A simple lemon glaze provides a perfect, zesty contrast to the rich molasses.
- Do not be shy with the ground ginger for a real spicy kick.
23. Eggnog Frosted Rolls
Perfect for Christmas morning, a classic cinnamon roll is topped with a rich, creamy frosting made with real eggnog.
DIY Tips:
- Use a high quality, full fat eggnog for the richest frosting flavor.
- A dusting of freshly grated nutmeg just before serving is essential for that authentic eggnog taste.
- A splash of rum extract in the frosting will enhance the festive flavor.
24. Birthday Cake Rolls
A fun and festive treat, these rolls have rainbow sprinkles mixed into the dough and a simple cake batter flavored frosting.
DIY Tips:
- Use “jimmies” style sprinkles, as the small round nonpareils can bleed their color into the dough.
- A little bit of almond extract in a standard vanilla frosting will give it that classic “cake batter” flavor.
- Top with extra sprinkles for a celebratory finish.
Simple Fruit & Veggie Additions
Adding fruits and vegetables is an easy way to boost moisture and add natural sweetness to your rolls.
25. Simple Apple Filled Rolls
A perfect fall comfort food, with tender, spiced apple chunks rolled right into the dough with the cinnamon sugar.
DIY Tips:
- Finely dice a tart apple, like a Granny Smith. There is no need to pre cook it if the pieces are small.
- A drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the frosted rolls is a delicious and easy addition.
- A pinch of nutmeg in the filling enhances the apple flavor.
26. Blueberry Rolls with a Lemon Glaze
A perfect treat for a special summer morning. Juicy blueberries burst during baking, creating jammy pockets of flavor.
DIY Tips:
- Gently toss fresh or frozen blueberries in a little flour before sprinkling over the filling to prevent the dough from getting too soggy.
- The combination of blueberry and lemon is timeless for a reason; do not skip the fresh zest in the glaze.
- These are best enjoyed the same day they are made.
27. Zucchini Cinnamon Rolls
A clever way to use up summer zucchini and add incredible moisture. Finely shredded zucchini is added to the dough.
DIY Tips:
- Squeeze the shredded zucchini very well in a clean kitchen towel to remove as much water as possible.
- You will not taste the zucchini in the final product; it just makes the rolls unbelievably soft.
- This is a great recipe for a slightly healthier, very moist roll.
28. “Leftover Cranberry Sauce” Rolls
A resourceful and delicious way to use leftovers after Thanksgiving. Simply use leftover jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce as the filling.
DIY Tips:
- If your cranberry sauce is very tart, you may want to add a little extra sugar to the filling.
- An orange flavored cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement.
- This is a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers into a delicious breakfast.
29. Strawberry Jam Rolls
Instead of a cinnamon filling, these rolls are spread with a thick layer of your favorite strawberry jam, creating a beautiful pink spiral.
DIY Tips:
- Use a high quality, thick jam to prevent the filling from becoming too runny and leaking out.
- A simple vanilla glaze or a light cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping.
- This is a great recipe for kids who may not like the strong flavor of cinnamon.
30. Banana Bread Rolls
These rolls capture the flavor of classic banana bread. Mashed ripe banana is incorporated into the dough, and the filling is often a mix of cinnamon and chopped walnuts.
DIY Tips:
- Use very ripe, spotty bananas for the most sweetness and best flavor.
- The banana will make the dough very soft and moist.
- A brown sugar or maple glaze is a fantastic finish for these rolls.
Conclusion
The joy of a homemade cinnamon roll is a simple pleasure that every home baker, no matter their skill level, deserves to experience. By starting with these simple, foolproof recipes, you will see that the process is not something to be feared, but something to be enjoyed. The feeling of accomplishment and the delight on the faces of those who taste your warm, gooey creations are well worth the small effort. So pick a recipe, trust the process, and get ready to fill your home with the unmistakable scent of a hug in baking form.