Get ready to be wowed by these 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls! Fluffy, easy, and irresistibly delicious – they’re the perfect treat for any time craving.
There is something about melt in your mouth homemade cinnamon rolls that I love. These are fluffy rolls with a sweet glaze and classic cinnamon sugar filling.
When I made my lemon poppy seed sweet rolls, I learned a quick-rise technique for sweet rolls. It’s one I’ve used before with dinner rolls but never considered for cinnamon rolls. I played around with the recipe (since they turned out so well) and came up with these 1-hour cinnamon rolls. If you’re anything like me and love quick cinnamon rolls but hate waiting around for them, this recipe is for you!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy-sweet taste and aroma.
- Butter: Used in dough, filling, and glaze, it adds richness and creaminess.
- Vanilla Extract: It has a sweet, floral aroma.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Variations
- Brown Sugar Choice: Both light brown sugar and dark brown sugar work well in this recipe. Dark brown sugar, with its higher molasses content, offers a stronger, sweeter flavor. While light brown sugar has less molasses, offering a subtler flavor.
- Raisins and Nuts Addition: Add raisins to the filling before rolling. Additionally, you can sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the frosted rolls to add texture and flavor.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Option: For a different twist, top the rolls with cream cheese frosting. You can find a great recipe here: “Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting.” You can also complement your quick cinnamon rolls with a smooth cream cheese icing. This addition brings a delightful richness and creamy texture.
- Bread Flour Variation: For a chewier texture in your cinnamon roll recipe, you can substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content.
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
Step 2: In a small bowl or a microwave-safe bowl (or glass measuring cup), combine the sugar, butter, water, and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted (it took about 1 minute 30 seconds on HIGH in my microwave). Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
Step 4: If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and set on the lowest mixing setting for 4 minutes, or until the dough becomes elastic, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured work surface until it measures a 16×9 inch rectangle. Prepare the filling by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl except for the butter. Spread the softened butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the cinnamon mixture. Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions. I like to use dental floss for this. I also cut it in half, then into fourths, etc. That way, my pieces are all uniform in size (you may have a few smaller pieces from the ends, just arrange them around the larger rolls).
Step 6: Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil or a kitchen towel over the top. Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are lightly golden brown.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before frosting. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beating by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over the tops of the rolls.
Expert Tips
- Milk and Water Combo: The combination of milk and water in the dough enhances flavor. Milk’s fat content contributes to the delicious taste of sweet rolls.
- Floss for Cutting Dough: Utilize dental floss to cut the dough. This technique helps in achieving uniformly sized pieces. If dental floss is not available, you can also use string or a sharp knife to cut the dough.
- Temperature Check for Wet Ingredients: Ensure the sugar, butter, water, and milk mixture is warm but not too hot before adding to the flour. Overheating can deactivate the yeast, affecting the rise of the dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have the option to mix the dough either kneading by hand or with a stand mixer. You can also use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine the dough ingredients. Both methods work well for this recipe, so feel free to use whichever is more convenient for you.
Use a 9×13″ baking pan for this recipe. Alternatively, you can divide the rolls between two 8×8″ pans if preferred.
Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast. Just be sure to activate it first in warm water with a pinch of sugar, and allow a little extra time for the second rise, as active dry yeast takes longer to activate compared to instant yeast.
Storage Info
STORE the cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or place them in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. To FREEZE, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then in foil before storing them in your freezer. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
To REHEAT, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in the oven at 300 degrees F (150 degrees Celsius) for about 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for a few seconds until heated through.
These 1-hour cinnamon rolls are best served warm. I heat mine for 30-40 seconds in the microwave the next morning so that they’re tender and hot in the centers.
More Sweet Rolls to Try
1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cup of flour - all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg
- 1 package instant yeast - 2 ¼ tsp (Red Star or Preferred Brand)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
For the Filling
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter - room temperature
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
For the Vanilla Glaze
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter - melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
- In a small bowl or a microwave-safe bowl (or glass measuring cup), combine the sugar, butter, water, and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted (it took about 1 minute 30 seconds on HIGH in my microwave). Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
- If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and set on the lowest mixing setting for 4 minutes, or until the dough becomes elastic, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
- Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured work surface until it measures a 16×9 inch rectangle. Prepare the filling by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl except for the butter. Spread the butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the cinnamon sugar filling. Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions. I like to use dental floss for this. I also cut it in half, then into fourths, etc. That way, my pieces are all uniform in size (you may have a few smaller pieces from the ends, just arrange them around the larger rolls).
- Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil or a kitchen towel over the top. Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are lightly golden brown in color.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before frosting. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beating by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over the tops of the rolls.
Just making these now, so excited for them to be done…might not even wait for them to cool down 🙂
They have doubled in size so that is a good sign right? Fingers are crossed that they aren’t too dry. Didn’t see the note about putting water in the oven until after I had already put them in to rise, was too scared to open the oven door so I put the water in while they cooked. Figured I could ruin them right…
They are EXCELLENT – I ate two last night and three today…eek
Going to have to give a bunch away 🙂
Made these last weekend and they were delicious! I doubled up on the glaze and they were extra gooey! I’m thinking next time I may add some orange zest to the filling for a little extra flavor, possibly some chopped pecans also. There are so many variations you could do with this recipe! It’s definitely a “doover” (do over) as we call it in my house!
Good day! I made there last night before bed and let them rise in the fridge overnight and baked them this morning. Very fluffy and super yummy. I added a tsp of baking powder to the flour. Also added pecans did nit almond extract. Placed brown sugar, butter and pecans on the bottom of the pan so after they were baked, I flipped the pan over and instant sticky sauce on the bottom. Great recipe.
So yummy!!! This is my first recipe beyond a cake or cookies and the rolls are delicious! I made a couple goofs but will gladly work on perfecting them.
Great! I have never baked with yeast before and it went pretty well except I rolled the dough from short end , does that matter? I later saw a recipe in magazine say roll from long end.
How do you store leftovers for next day to microwave ? Have only 4 left however because my family devoured them right out of the oven!
Hi Gail, I usually store mine in a tupperware container in the fridge and then pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.