This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These easy cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and topped with a rich cream cheese glaze. I use frozen bread dough to skip the kneading and rise time, making this the quickest way to enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls.
Looking for more cinnamon roll recipes? Try my eggnog cinnamon roll recipe. You’ll also love my monkey bread recipe and monkey bread muffins for a fun twist on cinnamon bread!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“These were winners in our house! We usually buy the Rhodes cinnamon rolls but I tried this recipe and they were a hit!”
— Gretchen
Why You’ll Love These Simple Cinnamon Rolls No Yeast
- No dough-making needed – Using frozen bread dough means no yeast, no kneading, and no rise time. Just thaw, roll, fill, and bake!
- Soft, gooey, and bakery-worthy – These come out fluffy, moist, and perfectly sweet, just like homemade.
- Perfect for busy mornings – You can prep them the night before and pop them in the oven when you’re ready. So easy!
- Tastes just like scratch-made – I’ve tested both, and there’s no flavor difference. Frozen dough is that good.
- Topped with the dreamiest glaze – A rich cream cheese frosting melts into every swirl. Add as much or as little as you want!
Easy Cinnamon Roll Ingredients
This recipe uses just 5 simple ingredients (plus an easy cream cheese icing) and makes 12 large, fluffy cinnamon rolls. Prep takes about 15 minutes, and they bake in just 30!
Frozen Bread Dough: This is the secret to making cinnamon rolls so much easier without sacrificing that homemade taste. We use Rhodes Italian Bread Dough or Primo Taglio Pizza Dough, both found in the freezer section. You can also ask your local pizza shop for dough!
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel flavor and helps make the rolls super gooey in the center. It’s essential for that classic cinnamon roll texture.
Granulated Sugar: A little white sugar balances the brown sugar and gives the filling its signature sweetness.
Butter: Use either salted or unsalted butter. It adds richness, helps with browning, and gives that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show! Cinnamon adds that cozy, warm flavor that makes these rolls irresistible.
Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
No cinnamon roll is complete without a generous drizzle of cream cheese frosting! This one is super easy—just 5 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature is best for smooth blending.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s really soft. I microwave mine for about 30 seconds to get it perfect for mixing.
- Powdered Sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar. It gives the icing that classic smooth sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that brings the frosting to life.
- Whole Milk: Just a splash to make the icing smooth and pourable.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Here’s how to roll, slice, and bake the easiest cinnamon rolls ever using frozen bread dough:
1. Prep your surface: Lightly flour your countertop or use a pastry mat (my favorite!) so the dough doesn’t stick.
2. Roll out the dough: Roll the thawed dough into a rectangle about 15 inches long and 5–6 inches wide.
3. Add melted butter: Brush the entire surface with melted butter. It adds flavor and helps the filling stick. Yum.
4. Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
5. Sprinkle the filling: Cover the dough completely with the cinnamon-sugar mixture—get it all the way to the edges!
6. Roll it up: Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Keep it snug so the swirls stay pretty.
7. Slice into rolls: Cut into 12 even slices. I like to make little marks with a knife first so they’re the same size.
(Pro tip: Some people swear by dental floss, but a sharp knife works great too!)
8. Arrange in the pan: Place the rolls into a buttered cast iron skillet or baking dish. Leave a little space between them—they’ll puff up and fill in as they bake.
9. Bake: Pop them into a 350°F preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and fluffy.
Recipe Tips & Variations
Add-ins: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut before rolling for extra flavor.
Flavored icing: Try almond, lemon, orange, lavender, or coconut extract in the glaze to mix things up.
Caramel topping: Swap the glaze for a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce instead.
Extra toppings: Add chopped nuts or fresh berries on top of the glaze for a fun twist.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free bread dough or pizza dough for an easy gluten-free version.
Mini cinnamon rolls: Slice the log into 16 smaller rolls instead of 12 for bite-sized treats.
How to Store Cinnamon Rolls
Room Temperature: Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep them covered so they stay soft and don’t dry out.
Refrigerate: Place them in a sealed container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Warm them slightly before serving for that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel.
Freeze: Want to save them longer? Freeze baked cinnamon rolls for up to 3 months. Wrap individually or store in a freezer-safe bag or container. Just thaw and warm before enjoying!
Frequently Asked Questions
To thaw frozen bread dough, leave it in the package and let it stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes until the dough reaches 55-60 degrees F. You can also thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Pouring heavy cream on cinnamon rolls adds a rich and creamy flavor to the rolls that pairs especially well with the sweetness of the sugar and cinnamon. Additionally, it adds extra moisture to the dough, resulting in soft and fluffy rolls. You pour the cream over the rolls before you bake, giving them an even tender texture. You don’t have to do this for our recipe, but if you want to try you can!
Icing is typically added to cinnamon rolls after they are baked, however, there are some recipes that suggest adding a glaze or icing before baking. This can create a sticky and sweet coating on the outside of the rolls which may be desired for certain recipes. Ultimately, it is up to the baker’s preference whether or not to add icing before baking.
Cinnamon rolls should be baked at a moderate to high temperature of 350°F (175°C). This will create a perfect balance of lightly crisp outside with a soft and fluffy interior. Baking cinnamon rolls at too low of a temperature can cause them to come out doughy and underbaked, while baking at too high of a temperature can result in overbaked rolls. For our recipe we bake the rolls at 350 degrees fro about 25 minutes and it works perfectly.
More Brunch Recipes
If you’re looking for an easy way to make this classic brunch treat, this truly is the best cinnamon roll recipe—no fuss, all flavor!
Tried it? Leave a comment and a star rating below! I’d love to hear how your cinnamon rolls turned out.
My new Entertaining book is here! Order Now!
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- 2 pounds frozen bread dough, thawed
- 1/2 cup melted butter, unsalted or salted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, brown or light
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Roll Icing
- 4 tbsp butter, room temperature and soft to the touch
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and soft to the touch
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp whole milk, more needed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Let the bread dough thaw out completely.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to a 15″ semi-rectangle. Does not have to be perfectly shaped.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, tablespoon cinnamon and give it a stir to mix.
- Melt the 1/2 cup butter and brush it over the dough. Save a little melted butter to brush over the top of the rolls later.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the dough, covering the entire surface.
- Starting from the top, tightly roll the dough to create a log shape. Roll it as tight as possible.
- Cut 12 slices in the cinnamon roll log and place them in a buttered cast iron skillet.
- Make sure they’re separated because they will expand quite a bit while baking.
- Brush the top of the rolls with the rest of the melted butter.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and have doubled in size.
Cinnamon Roll Icing
- In an electric mixer, cream together the soft butter and cream cheese. Make sure to get it as smooth as possible.
- Add in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and continue to beat on high until smooth with a glaze like texture. Add more milk if needed.
- Pour the glaze over the cinnamon rolls when they come out of the oven.
- Enjoy every bite!
Notes
- Dough options: You can use any brand of frozen bread dough that’s soft and white. I love Rhodes Bread Dough, Primo Taglio Pizza Dough, or even the traditional pizza dough from Trader Joe’s.
- Baking dish: This recipe makes 12 large cinnamon rolls, so make sure to use a dish big enough for them to expand. A cast iron skillet or a 9×13-inch casserole dish works great.
- For the glaze: Make sure the butter and cream cheese are super soft before mixing. If they’re too cold, the icing will be lumpy instead of smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is so smart with pizza dough! Love this shortcut. Also that icing looks incredible! Happy Mothers Day Eden ❤️
You suggest rolling the dough to 5-6” but your rolls before baking have a much tighter spiral. To get that, what dimension dough should I strive for? (Look yummy)
These were winners in our house! We usually buy the Rhodes cinnamon rolls but I tried this recipe and they were a hit!
Pour 1/4 – 1/2 cup heavy cream over rolls before baking. The caramel sauce it makes is amazing.
I need to remember to use my cast iron skillet! These look so good!
This is such a great idea! Takes some of the work out of making cinnamon rolls! Love it!
These came out absolutely amazing and so fast!!! I’m still thinking about them. I honestly can say these are just as good as homemade ones but no headache and you can literally whip them up in no time! I plan on making these for the up coming holidays! Thank you thank you thank you! ?
Love the pizza dough hack!! These were so good and so easy!!
I love homemade cinnamon rolls but sometimes I just don’t have the time. Great shortcut recipe!