Mini Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, Gooey, and Perfect for Any Morning

For busy home cooks and comfort food lovers, a warm pan of mini cinnamon rolls is the kind of kitchen magic that can turn a rushed morning into something special. These bite-sized spirals bring the rich aroma of cinnamon and sugar, a soft, fluffy center, and just the right amount of gooey glaze. Whether you’re making them for a lazy Sunday brunch, a holiday breakfast spread, or a quick school-day treat, this recipe guarantees the bakery taste without the bakery wait.

Ingredient Breakdown for Mini Cinnamon Rolls (with Measurements and Purpose)

Dough Options (choose one):

• From scratch yeast dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup warm milk, ¼ cup warm water, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp active dry yeast, ¼ tsp salt. Produces the fluffiest, most tender mini cinnamon rolls.
• Crescent rolls or biscuit dough: 1 can (8 oz) for a quick, shortcut version. Great for weekday baking.
• Puff pastry: 1 sheet, thawed, for a crisp, buttery texture.
• 2-ingredient Greek yogurt dough: 1 cup self-rising flour + 1 cup Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich option.

Filling:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar.
• 2 tbsp cinnamon.
• Optional: ¼ tsp nutmeg or ¼ tsp cardamom for added depth.
• Flavor upgrade: Swap half the white sugar for ¼ cup brown sugar to create a richer, caramel-like filling that keeps the mini cinnamon rolls moist.

Optional Add-ins:

• ¼ cup chopped apples, bananas, or pecans for texture and flavor variety.
• 2 tbsp caramel drizzle, pumpkin puree, or strawberries for seasonal flair.
• Maple glaze for a cozy breakfast twist.

Glaze and Frosting Options:

• Cream cheese frosting: 2 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tbsp milk.
• Simple powdered sugar icing: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tbsp milk.
• Maple drizzle: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp milk.

Purpose Notes:
Butter binds the filling and creates rich flavor, cinnamon delivers warmth, and dough choice determines the final texture — from soft and fluffy to crisp and flaky.

Choosing the Right Pan for Mini Cinnamon Rolls

• Jelly roll pan: Allows space for expansion and results in softer sides.
• 9×13 baking dish: Produces tighter rolls with crispier edges.
• Mini muffin tin: Perfect for portion control — be sure to grease generously to avoid sticking.

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions for Perfect Mini Cinnamon Rolls

1. Prepare the Dough

• Homemade yeast dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk and water, add sugar, butter, and salt. Mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Knead 6–8 minutes until smooth, then let rise until doubled (about 1–1½ hours).
• Store-bought dough: Simply unroll and proceed to filling.

2. Roll and Fill

• Roll dough into a rectangle (about 6×12 inches for minis). Brush with melted butter, sprinkle evenly with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Add optional nuts or fruit if desired.

3. Cut and Shape

• Roll tightly from the long side into a log.
• Use clean kitchen scissors instead of a knife for even, round slices that don’t squash the spirals.
• Place rolls into your prepared pan, leaving slight space between each for expansion.

4. Bake

• Oven: 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through.
• Air fryer: 320°F (160°C) for 6–8 minutes, checking for doneness.
• For muffin tins, check early to avoid overbrowning the bottoms.

5. Finish and Serve

• Let cool slightly, then top with your glaze or frosting of choice. For extra softness, brush with a light glaze while warm, then finish with a thicker drizzle before serving.

Overnight Prep for Stress-Free Mornings

• Assemble rolls completely and place in the prepared pan.
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 18 hours.
• Let sit at room temperature 30–45 minutes before baking.
• This method is ideal for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or when hosting overnight guests.

When and How to Use Mini Cinnamon Rolls (Occasions, Storage)

Mini cinnamon rolls shine in almost any setting where you want something sweet, warm, and comforting.

Occasions:

• Weekend brunch with family or friends.
• Holiday breakfast spreads (especially Christmas morning).
• Coffee breaks at home or work.
• Dessert buffets or potlucks where bite-sized treats are best.

Serving Ideas:

• Pair with fresh fruit salad for a balanced breakfast.
• Serve alongside coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a cozy afternoon treat.
• Add to a breakfast charcuterie board with pastries, fruit, and spreads.

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes or briefly in the microwave.
• For longer storage, freeze baked or unbaked rolls.

Added Tip: Serve warm with a light glaze brushed on right after baking for extra softness, then add another drizzle before serving for a glossy finish.

Creative Serving Styles

• Stack into mini roll towers for a dessert table centerpiece.
• Box individually for edible holiday or teacher gifts.
• Skewer onto sticks for brunch grazing boards.

How Mini Cinnamon Rolls Support Easy, Family-Friendly Baking

Mini cinnamon rolls aren’t just delicious — they’re practical.

• Kid-friendly: Perfectly sized for little hands, and children can help roll or sprinkle the cinnamon sugar.
• Budget-friendly: Uses basic pantry staples or affordable store-bought dough.
• Flexible servings: One roll for light snackers, several for heartier appetites.
• Tradition-worthy: Ideal for creating weekend or holiday baking traditions without a long prep time.
• Batch baking ease: Can be scaled up for gatherings without complicating the method.

Tips, Adjustments, and Cautions for Baking Mini Cinnamon Rolls

• Roll dough to about ¼ inch thickness for fluffy results.
• Adjust sweetness — keep it lighter for breakfast, richer for dessert.
• Puff pastry yields a crispier bite; yeast dough stays softer and fluffier.
• Use chilled dough for cleaner cuts and easier shaping.
• Place your baking pan on a sheet tray to catch any bubbling butter and sugar overflow.
• Adjust baking times based on pan type and oven — mini muffin tins can brown faster.

FAQs – Mini Cinnamon Rolls Made Easy

Conclusion

Mini cinnamon rolls offer the comfort of a classic pastry in a fraction of the time. They’re easy enough for weekday mornings yet special enough for holidays and gatherings. Try the overnight version for a no-stress brunch, experiment with fillings, and make them your own. If you bake a batch, share your creations on Pinterest and tag us — and don’t forget to grab our free printable “Mini Cinnamon Roll Variations” guide for more flavor ideas.

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

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• Author: Kamala Jane
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 mini rolls
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft, gooey mini cinnamon rolls with rich cinnamon-sugar filling and creamy glaze, perfect for breakfast or brunch.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup warm water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 can (8 oz) crescent rolls or biscuit dough
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg or ¼ tsp cardamom (optional)
• ¼ cup brown sugar (optional swap)
• ¼ cup chopped apples, bananas, or pecans
• 2 tbsp caramel drizzle, pumpkin puree, or strawberries
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tbsp milk (for icing)
• 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp milk (for maple drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: For yeast dough, dissolve yeast in warm milk and water, add sugar, butter, and salt, mix in flour, knead 6–8 minutes, and let rise 1–1½ hours. For store-bought dough, unroll and proceed to filling.
2. Roll and Fill: Roll dough into a 6×12 inch rectangle, brush with melted butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture, and add optional nuts or fruit.
3. Cut and Shape: Roll tightly into a log, cut with kitchen scissors, and place in a prepared pan with space between rolls.
4. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, or air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 6–8 minutes, checking early for muffin tins.
5. Finish and Serve: Cool slightly, then top with glaze or frosting. Brush warm rolls with light glaze for extra softness before adding final drizzle.

Notes

Use brown sugar for richer flavor. Grease muffin tins well to prevent sticking. Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 2 months. Nutritional values are estimated.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mini roll
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 85mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 10mg