Name: Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup milk (whole or 2%); 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted; 1 (0.25 oz) packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2–4 tablespoons milk (add 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed)

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If you’re craving a batch of pillowy, gooey cinnamon rolls but don’t want to spend half your day in the kitchen, this Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is your new best friend. With buttery spirals laced with sweet cinnamon sugar and swirled with tangy cream cheese icing, these rolls deliver bakery-style luxury in a magical one-hour turnaround. You’ll be amazed at how simple, speedy, and fail-proof these cinnamon rolls are — all while filling your home with that unmistakable, cozy bakery aroma.

Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the beauties of the Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is the short list of pantry-friendly ingredients, each playing a starring role in creating soft rolls, gooey filling, and dreamy icing. Gather these essentials and let each one shine in texture and flavor!

Milk: Whole or 2% helps produce the softest, fluffiest dough; warm it slightly for best yeast activation.
Unsalted Butter: Richness and tenderness come from melted butter in both dough and filling; don’t skimp here!
Instant Yeast (1 packet, 0.25 oz): The secret weapon for rapid proofing; make sure your yeast is fresh and bubbly.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetness for dough and a key player in activating the yeast.
Large Egg: Lends structure and a lovely golden color to your dough.
Salt: Balances the flavors and keeps the rolls from being cloyingly sweet.
Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to both dough and icing.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your rolls; measure carefully for just the right texture.
Brown Sugar: For a deep, caramel note in the cinnamon filling.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice, delivering classic cinnamon roll flavor.
Cream Cheese: Softened and ready for luscious icing glory.
Powdered Sugar: Blends seamlessly into the cream cheese for that silky-sweet finish.
Milk (for icing): Allows you to adjust the cream cheese icing to your desired consistency.

How to Make Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Warm the Milk

Begin by melting half a stick of unsalted butter in the microwave, then use the warm bowl to heat your milk. Combining these while they’re just warm (not hot) sets a perfect cozy foundation for the yeast to bloom. It’s worth the tiny extra step for buttery, flavorful dough.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Pour the warm milk and butter into a larger mixing bowl. Stir in your sugar, then sprinkle in the yeast. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it sit for 10 minutes. You’ll know everything’s working if a bubbly foam forms on top — that’s your yeast springing to life and promising fluffy rolls!

Step 3: Mix the Dough

After 10 minutes, uncover the yeast mixture. Whisk in one large egg, salt, and a splash of vanilla extract. Gradually add flour, half a cup at a time, gently folding it in with a spatula or your hands. The dough should feel soft, slightly tacky, but not sticky—if you need a little more or less flour, trust your fingertips.

Step 4: First Quick Proof

Shape the dough into a ball, cover it again with a clean towel, and pop it into a slightly warm (but now off) oven for about 10 minutes. Walk away and let the magic happen; this gentle proof gives the dough a short, effective rise without waiting around all day.

Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Filling

While your dough is proofing, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. You want this mixture to be creamy, spreadable, and aromatic—be warned, you might be tempted to eat it by the spoonful!

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

Transfer the soft, risen dough to a lightly greased or floured surface. Use a rolling pin to gently shape it into a large rectangle, about 14 by 18 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Even if your rectangle isn’t perfect, the rolls will still turn out delicious.

Step 7: Spread the Filling and Roll

Spread that dreamy cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the dough, reaching almost to the edges. Starting at the short end, tightly roll the dough upward into a log, keeping the spiral tight for beautiful swirls in every slice.

Step 8: Slice and Arrange

For even rolls, gently pre-mark the log into 12 equal pieces, then use a long serrated knife to cut slowly with a sawing motion so the filling stays in place. Arrange your rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each for expansion as they bake.

Step 9: Bake

Pop the pan into a 350 degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cinnamon rolls are puffed and lightly golden on top. Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine! Give them 10 minutes to cool before icing.

Step 10: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls cool, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together until lusciously smooth. Adjust the milk to make your icing as thick or drizzly as you like. Spoon (or slather!) the icing over the warm rolls. Serve and experience cinnamon roll bliss.

How to Serve Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

You can never go wrong with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or a light dusting of powdered sugar for presentation. For a crunchy twist, scatter a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts on top right before serving; the nutty crunch sets off the soft rolls beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls are morning heroes on their own, but they play nicely alongside a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs, salty bacon, or a fresh fruit salad. For a brunch spread, pair them with hot coffee or spiced chai—the warmth matches the rolls perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe stacked high on a tiered cake stand for serious wow-factor at brunch, or tuck them individually into parchment wrappers for a bakery-style café vibe. For gatherings, drizzle with colored icing to match the holiday or event!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool completely, then pop them into an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For longer freshness, keep them refrigerated—just keep the icing separate if you want the tops to stay neat.

Freezing

The Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe freezes beautifully! Once baked (but before icing), let the rolls cool, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll taste as fresh as the day they were made.

Reheating

For gooey, just-baked flavor, reheat rolls in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or cover them in foil and warm in the oven at 325 degrees until heated through. Add the cream cheese icing after reheating for that truly fresh, melty finish.

FAQs

Can I prep the Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe the night before?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and shape the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them warm at room temperature while you preheat the oven, then bake as instructed.

What if I don’t have instant yeast?

You can substitute active dry yeast for instant, but allow the dough to proof slightly longer in each step, as active dry yeast works a bit slower. Always ensure to bloom your yeast first for best results.

Can I add raisins or nuts to the filling?

Definitely! If you love some extra texture, fold in a handful of plump raisins, chopped walnuts, or pecans after spreading the filling and before rolling the dough. Just don’t overfill, or the rolls might not seal well.

How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?

Easy! For a thicker swirl, use less milk when mixing; for a pourable drizzle, simply add an extra tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach your ideal consistency. Adjust to match your sweet tooth and style!

Can I make a dairy-free version of the Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe?

Yes—you can substitute plant-based milk, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese for the dairy components, and your cinnamon rolls will still come out soft and scrumptious. Just double check that your yeast and other ingredients are vegan, too.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever thought homemade cinnamon rolls were fussy, this Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe will prove you so delightfully wrong. Every swirl is packed with comfort and warmth, and the recipe is a total keeper for impromptu cravings or a weekend treat. Go ahead—mix, roll, bake, and treat yourself to the bliss of fresh cinnamon rolls in about an hour!