Mini Classic Cinnamon Rolls
These Mini Classic Cinnamon Rolls are pillowy soft, fluffy, and irresistibly gooey. Each bite is filled with a rich brown sugar cinnamon filling that melts as it bakes, creating the perfect sticky swirl. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a lush cream cheese frosting, these bite-sized cinnamon rolls are best served warm with a hot cup of coffee — cozy, comforting, and truly classic.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Milk: Warmed to 110°F to activate the yeast and help create soft, fluffy dough.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps feed the yeast for a light rise.
Active Dry Yeast: Leavens the dough, giving the rolls their soft, pillowy texture (instant yeast can be substituted).
Greek Yogurt Or Sour Cream: Adds richness and moisture, keeping the rolls tender and fluffy.
Salted Butter: Used in the dough, filling, and frosting for buttery flavor and soft texture.
Eggs: Add richness, structure, and help create the soft, enriched dough.
Vanilla Bean Paste Or Extract: Adds sweet, aromatic flavor throughout the dough, filling, and frosting.
Bread Flour: Provides structure and chewiness for light, bakery-style rolls (all-purpose flour can be substituted).
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Light Brown Sugar: Creates the gooey cinnamon filling with deep caramel notes.
Cinnamon: The key spice for warm, sweet flavor in the filling.
Heavy Cream: Poured over the rolls before baking to keep them soft, gooey, and rich.
Cream Cheese: Forms the base of the frosting, adding tanginess and a creamy texture.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Why You’ll Love Mini Classic Cinnamon Rolls:
Pillowy Soft Texture: Each mini roll is light, fluffy, and tender, making them melt in your mouth.
Sticky And Gooey Centers: The brown sugar cinnamon filling bakes into warm, caramelized swirls in every bite.
Classic Cinnamon Roll Flavor: Sweet, spiced, and buttery — just like the nostalgic homemade rolls you grew up with.
Perfectly Sized Minis: Small, shareable, and ideal for brunch spreads or bite-sized treats.
Golden And Buttery Finish: Baked to perfection with a beautiful golden color and soft, buttery texture.
Lush Cream Cheese Frosting: Smooth, tangy, and perfectly sweet frosting melts into the warm rolls.
Cozy Coffee Pairing: Best enjoyed fresh from the oven with a hot cup of coffee.
Great For Any Occasion: Perfect for weekend breakfasts, holidays, or gifting to friends and family.
Simple And Reliable Recipe: Easy-to-follow steps for consistent, bakery-style results at home.
Tips for Making Mini Classic Cinnamon Rolls:
Weigh Ingredients For Accuracy: Measuring by weight ensures perfect dough consistency and bakery-style results every time.
Use Warm Milk To Activate The Yeast: The milk should be around 110°F — warm to the touch but not hot, to help the yeast rise properly.
Let The Dough Rise Fully: Allow the dough to double in size before shaping for the softest, fluffiest rolls.
Don’t Overflour The Dough: Add just enough flour so the dough is soft and slightly tacky, not dense or dry.
Roll Evenly: Keep the dough rolled to an even thickness to ensure uniform baking and perfect spirals.
Seal The Edges Tightly: Pinch the seam well so the cinnamon sugar filling doesn’t leak out while baking.
Use The Heavy Cream Method: Pouring warm heavy cream over the rolls before baking keeps them extra soft, gooey, and rich.
Bake Until Lightly Golden: Don’t overbake — they should be soft and tender with golden tops.
Cool Slightly Before Frosting: Let the rolls cool for 5–10 minutes before spreading the cream cheese frosting so it melts slightly into the swirls.
Serve Warm: Enjoy them fresh from the oven with a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate cozy treat.
How to Store Mini Classic Cinnamon Rolls:
Room Temperature: Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The heavy cream keeps them soft and moist even after cooling.
Refrigerator: Keep frosted rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving for the best soft, gooey texture.
Freezer (Unfrosted Rolls): Freeze baked and cooled rolls without frosting for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm before frosting.
Reheat In The Oven: Warm at 300°F for 5–7 minutes, or until soft and heated through. This helps revive their fresh-from-the-oven texture.
Microwave Option: Heat individual rolls for 15–20 seconds for a quick warm-up, but be cautious not to overheat or the frosting may melt too much.
Store Frosting Separately (If Desired): Keep cream cheese frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before spreading.
Best Served Fresh: For the ultimate gooey texture and cream cheese melt, enjoy them warm right after baking.
Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the rolls, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and rise for 45–60 minutes before baking the next morning for fresh, gooey rolls.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can assemble the rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise for 45–60 minutes before baking the next morning for fresh, gooey rolls.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the shaped, unbaked rolls after cutting. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, allow to rise, then bake as directed.
Q: Why do you pour heavy cream over the rolls before baking?
A: The heavy cream keeps the rolls soft, gooey, and rich while baking, creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Q: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
A: Yes, instant yeast works perfectly. See the recipe card below for instructions!
Q: How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
A: The rolls should be puffed, golden on top, and slightly gooey in the center. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftover cinnamon rolls?
A: Warm rolls in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds. Add a touch of butter or cream before reheating to keep them soft.
Q: Can I make these without a stand mixer?
A: Yes, you can knead the dough by hand for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Q: Can I use a different frosting?
A: Absolutely. Cream cheese frosting is classic, but you can substitute vanilla glaze, maple glaze, or even a brown butter icing.
Q: How should I store leftovers?
A: Keep rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving for that soft, gooey texture.
Q: Are these rolls best served warm or at room temperature?
A: They’re best served warm when the filling is gooey and the cream cheese frosting is slightly melted into the swirls.
Love these? Check out my other cinnamon roll and breakfast recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these mini classic cinnamon rolls. Happy baking!
