Mini Cinnamon Rolls

We love making Cinnamon Rolls and these Mini Cinnamon Rolls are the size. They are made from scratch and topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls Recipe:

We love this bite size version of cinnamon rolls. The ingredients are simple and the cream cheese frosting makes them even better. They are the perfect size for little hands or to enjoy for special occasions.

We need very little excuse to make these cinnamon rolls. They are the perfect size to serve with your savory breakfast or for brunch. We love to make them for parties or to wrap up as gifts.

You can’t go wrong with the gooey center and the delicious frosting. The perfect cinnamon roll to make ahead of time and the fit perfectly in a mini muffin tin.

For an another easy breakfast idea, make Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, Monkey Bread Recipe or Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls. Check out Mini Pumpkin Pies for another easy dessert idea.

Why We Mini Cinnamon Rolls:

• Easy Ingredients – If you love to bake as much as I do, you probably already have the ingredients. You can easily turn these simple ingredients into a delicious cinnamon rolls.
• Prep Time – In less than 90 minutes you will have delicious mini cinnamon rolls with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
• Crowd Favorite – I love to serve these for a holiday morning breakfast with a breakfast casserole. It is the perfect sweet and savory combination.

Ingredients: 

Serves: 24 

For the Dough: 

• Warm Water
• Active Dry Yeast 0.75 oz
• Milk
• Melted Butter melted (not hot)
• Granulated Sugar
• Salt
• Large Egg
• All Purpose Flour

For the Filling: 

• Butter melted
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Topping: 

• Cream Cheese softened
• Butter softened
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Milk

How to Make Mini Cinnamon Rolls: 

For the Dough: 

• Step 1 – Mix Yeast – Mix together the warm water and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for about 10 minutes. You will see the yeast activate – tiny bubbles will form at the surface and the liquid will thicken slightly.

• Step 2 – Combine with Dough Ingredients – In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Slowly combine yeast mixture with the remaining dough ingredients. Gradually add the flour 1 cup at a time until a soft dough is formed.
• Step 3 – Place in a bowl – Place the dough in a well greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until about double in size – about an hour to an hour and a half.

• Step 4 – Knead Dough – Remove dough from bowl and knead for 1-2 minutes. Adding flour so it doesn’t stick to your hands or the countertop. Roll out into a large rectangle. The rectangle should be around 6”x22” but does not need to be exact.
• Step 5 – Cinnamon Sugar Mixture – Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the filling

• Step 6 – Spread Butter – Spread the melted butter for the filling over the roll out dough.  Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture evenly on top. 

• Step 7 – Roll Dough – Starting with the long end of the dough, tightly roll the dough. 

• Step 8 – Cut Dough – Cut the dough into 24 1 inch sections.  

• Step 9 – Prepare Pans – Spray 2 mini muffin pans with a non-stick cooking spray. Then place each piece of the dough into the muffin tins (spiral side up).  

• Step 10 – Cover Cinnamon Rolls – Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-60 minutes. Rise until almost doubled in size.

• Step 11 – Heat Oven – While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  
• Step 12 – Bake Cinnamon Rolls – Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges of the rolls are slightly golden brown.  
• Step 13 – Remove Cinnamon Rolls – Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool slightly while you prepare the frosting. 

How to Make Frosting: 

• Step 1 – Beat Cream Cheese – Beat together the cream cheese and butter. Beat with a stand up mixer or hand held mixer until creamy and smooth.  

• Step 2 – Add in Powdered Sugar – Add in the powdered sugar and milk.  Mix until well combined.  
• Step 3 – Add in Vanilla Extract – Mix in the teaspoon vanilla extract. 

• Step 4 – Frosting Consistency – If the frosting is too thick, slowly add in more milk. If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar until the frosting is the consistency that you desire. 

• Step 5 – Spread Frosting – Spread the frosting over the rolls and then they are ready to serve and enjoy.  

Recipe Tips:

• Mixing Yeast – Allow the yeast to set after mixing with warm water. You will notice that the yeast will start to bubble and will be slightly thick.
• Dough Mixture – After combining the flour mixture with the yeast mixture all the dough to rest to double in size. Use the dough hook on the stand mixer to mix the ingredients.
• Rolling Dough – Roll the dough in a lightly floured surface into a rectangle size with a rolling pin. It doesn’t have to be perfect just roll until it is the size you prefer.
• Prepare Pans – Make sure to prepare the pans by spraying the pans with cooking spray. This helps with clean up and serving the cinnamon rolls.
• Baking Cinnamon Rolls – Bake the cinnamon rolls once they have doubled in size. You want to bake the cinnamon rolls until they are golden brown. Allow to cool before frosting the cinnamon rolls.
• Frosting Consistency – Mix in milk or powdered sugar depending on the consistency your prefer.

Variation Ideas:

• Crescent Roll Dough – We love making homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch, but you can make it with crescent roll dough.
• Frosting – We love the cream cheese frosting, but you can also make these cinnamon rolls with a vanilla glaze. Dusting with powdered sugar is another family favorite.
• Spices – Add in warm flavors to these cinnamon rolls. We recommend adding nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
• Add-Ins – Cinnamon Rolls can also be made with adding in raisins or chopped nuts.

Why Didn’t the Rolls Rise?

There are times when the dough does not rise. There could many things that cause this. These are some tips to help with your dough to rise.

• Fresh Ingredients – Make sure the ingredients are not expired before combining. This is especially important with the yeast and flour.
• Allow Time – Make sure to give the dough time to rise. We recommend not rushing the dough process.
• Oven – When preheating the oven, make sure it isn’t hotter than 200 degrees. If your oven is hotter than that, you may need to turn off until the dough has risen.

How to Make Ahead:

Cinnamon Rolls can be prepared ahead of time. We recommend preparing the dough and either store in the fridge or freezer.

If you prepare the dough ahead of time it may not be the same as if baking on same day.

• Refrigerator – Prepare the dough and roll into cinnamon rolls. Place the cinnamon rolls in a baking dish and cover with plastic wrap. Make sure to spray cooking spray on the plastic wrap to prevent from sticking. When ready to bake remove from the fridge about 30 minutes ahead of time.
• Freezer – Prepare the dough and store in the freezer safe container. When ready to bake, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers:

Store an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week. 

When ready to reheat, place in the microwave and reheat in 30 second intervals. I like to top with butter and serve warm.

Print Recipe for Mini Cinnamon Rolls:

More Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipes:

• Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
• TikTok Cinnamon Rolls