Go Back
cut open cinnamon roll
Print Recipe
4.74 from 19 votes

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

If you're looking for a little bite of sweet with your morning coffee, try these mini cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting. They're soft and fluffy!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Rise Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best cinnamon roll recipe, cinnamon roll breakfast, how to make cinnamon rolls
Servings: 48
Calories: 155kcal
Author: Julie Clark

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk (about 115 degrees F**)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast (I like Red Star Platinum Baking Yeast)
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup butter (melted)
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:

To pour over rolls:

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (for pouring over the risen rolls)

For the Frosting:

  • 6 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon maple extract (or vanilla)

Instructions

  • Pour the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast overtop.
  • Add the eggs, butter, salt and sugar.
  • Add the flour and mix using the beater blade just until the ingredients are barely combined. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes so the flour has time to soak up the liquids.
  • Scrape the dough off the beater blade and remove it. Attach the dough hook.
  • Beat the dough on medium speed for 5-7 minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth. **The dough will be tacky and will still be sticking to the sides of the bowl. That’s ok! Don’t be tempted to add more flour at this point.
  • Spray a large bowl with cooking spray.
  • Use a rubber spatula to remove the dough from the mixer bowl and place it in the greased large bowl.
  • Cover the bowl with a towel or wax paper.
  • Set the bowl in a warm place and allow the dough to rise until double. I like to turn on the oven to the lowest setting for 1-2 minutes. Then turn off the oven and place the dough to rise in there. It normally takes about 30 minutes for the dough to rise. Do not allow the dough to rise too much or your cinnamon rolls will be airy.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling. In a medium bowl, combine the soft butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Set aside.
  • Sprinkle a pastry mat generously with flour. Turn out the dough onto the pastry mat and sprinkle the top of the dough with additional flour.
  • Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough to about a very large rectangle (about 26"x18" if you can get it that big).
  • Use a rubber spatula to smooth the cinnamon filling over the whole dough rectangle.
  • Use a pizza cutter to cut the rectangle in half lengthwise.
  • Then cut 1" strips in the opposite direction. You should end up with about 40-48 strips.
  • Roll up each strip into a small roll, jelly roll style.
  • Place the rolls in 2 greased 9x13 baking pans.
  • Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise for 20 minutes or until nearly double.
  • Warm the heavy cream until the chill is off. Don’t make it hot…you just don’t want it cold. It should be warm to the touch.
  • Once the rolls have risen, pour the heavy cream over the top of the rolls, allowing it to soak down in and around the rolls.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, until the rolls are lightly golden brown and the center rolls are cooked through. If the rolls are getting too browned on top, cover loosely with a piece of foil.
  • While the rolls are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
  • In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter using a hand mixer. Blend well.
  • Add in your favorite extract and the powdered sugar. Beat until combined.
  • Spread the frosting over the cooled rolls.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the recipe making 48 mini rolls, with 1 serving being 1 mini frosted roll. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg