My mouth waters just thinking about these Easy 1 Hour Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.
This is a Giant Cinnamon Roll recipe which is perfect when serving extra family or house guests or surprising your neighbors with a hot batch.
This 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe has been viewed more than 1,000,000 times and counting. It's a tried and true recipe. A true family favorite.
The great news is you can also freeze these homemade cinnamon rolls before baking so you can bake when you need it most!
You can also cut this recipe in half too for a small batch perfect for enjoying right now.
This recipe has been updated May 2020
And, with the added tip of proofing the dough in the Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker using the Yogurt Setting, you can speed up the process of proofing the dough saving you even more time.
Making Homemade Cinnamon Rolls or Dinner Rolls doesn’t have to be difficult or even scary. Yes, Scary!
Working with yeast is easier than you think. I'm here to help you step by step.
In this recipe, we make Cinnamon Rolls and Dinner Rolls in an hour and they are perfect, light and fluffy.
It really is just that easy for perfect Cinnamon Rolls.
What makes a GREAT Cinnamon Roll Recipe?
A GREAT Cinnamon Roll Recipe starts with the dough. It needs to be light, soft and fluffy.
There is nothing worse than a hard dense roll. This recipe has a perfect balance to make sure your dough is perfect every time.
Quick Tips
Proofing your dough is quick and easy in the Instant Pot. This works for ANY Yeast recipe.
Set your Pressure Cooker to the Yogurt (Low Setting) button. Spray the inside with cooking spray and place dough inside.
Use a glass lid or even a dinner plate on top and allow dough to proof and rise. It cuts the time in half! This works for ANY Yeast recipe!
If your pressure cooker does NOT have a yogurt button, then you can proof your dough on your counter. Cover the bowl with a towel so the dough doesn't get crusty!
I prefer to mix my warm water, yeast, sugar, oil and salt in a large bowl and allow to activate the yeast for a few minutes before I add the liquid to a larger mixer.
I LOVE my Bosch Mixer, but any larger stand mixer will work for this recipe. It is a large recipe.
As I mentioned, you CAN cut it in half and it works just fine.
But I do love to make a lot of Cinnamon Rolls when I make them, they are so delicious and a fun neighbor treat with any extra.
(This video was done before I updated this post with the amazing Pressure Cooker Yogurt Setting Tip!)
How to make Cinnamon Rolls
- In a large bowl, add warm water, sugar, oil and yeast. Allow to proof for 15 minutes (Proofing your yeast is allowing it to activate in warm water with sugar.) I place my bowl in the Microwave which creates a warm environment. I do NOT turn the Microwave on.
- In a large stand mixer, like a Bosch or Kitchen Aid, place 3 cups flour and salt, and add in your liquid. Keep mixer mixing through all steps.
- Add eggs one at a time. Then add 3 more cups of flour and allow to mix.
- Add 3 more cups of flour one at a time and allow to incorporate and knead together.
- You now have 9 cups of flour into your recipe. Add an addition 1 – 1 ½ cups flour. Check for stickiness. Dough should be pulling away from bowl edges. It should be sticky but not stick to your fingers.
Continued from above
- Remove dough and place in Instant Pot to proof. Set Instant Pot for Yogurt (low setting) and place glass lid on top. Rise for 15-25 minutes.
- If you do NOT have a Yogurt Setting on your Pressure Cooker, Place your dough in a bowl, cover with a towel and allow to raise on the counter until double in size.
- Divide dough into 3 portions. Remove one portion and roll out into a square. Add brown Sugar, and Cinnamon and roll up. Using a knife slice into rolls about 3 fingers thick. Place rolls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown
- Frost while hot. Enjoy
- SEE COMPLETE RECIPE at bottom
Rave Reviews from Viewers
Cindy says, "My first attempt at making homemade cinnamon rolls in at least 20 years and they turned out perfect with your recipe!"
Danielle says, "These were so easy and delicious!"
Carol Says, "Great Results! My whole family enjoyed them!"
Can I cut this Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe in half?
This is a question I am asked often and the answer is YES!
This recipe is easy to cut in half and make a smaller batch.
I also use this recipe for making this fun Sweet Roll which has the recipe halved all ready. So head over there if you don't want to adjust the measurements yourself.
The presentation is spectacular with the Sweet Bread, with an easy bread braid.
Why are my Cinnamon Rolls Dry?
Dry cinnamon rolls happen for a number of reasons. You may have added too much flour to the dough, you may have over baked the cinnamon rolls OR you may have done both!
The Dough is Sticky, why?
The dough will pull away and clean the bowl while it's mixing in my Bosch Mixer. That's the first indication that I'm super close to the right consistency.
You should be able to touch the dough with your fingers without them sticking. However if you pick up the dough in one hand, it will definitely stick!
Do you do a second rise for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls?
For this recipe I do not do a second rise. However, I only put one pan in the oven at a time, so one pan is always waiting to be baked and gets a little bit of rise. It's okay.
Your Recipe is delicious, what else do you use it for?
We LOVE this recipe. I use this recipe to make dinner rolls, pizza crust, and even breadsticks.
What Mixer do you recommend?
I use a Bosch Mixer and I've written a post you can read why I Love my Bosh. You can use any large stand mixer for this recipe.
I don't have a glass lid for my Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Now what?
Don't worry! Use a large dinner plate. Anything will work that will cover the top.
It's not recommended to use your pressure lid as the dough can rise to the point of plugging up the sealing vent and making it impossible to open the lid.
How to Freeze Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Freezing Cinnamon Rolls is easy. Make rolls as your typically would and instead of baking place in the freezer to freeze individually. Then remove from pan and place in storage bags or containers.
When ready to bake, remove from freezer and place on counter to thaw. This will take 90+ minutes or more.
When thawed, bake as normal.
How long can I freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
I have frozen Cinnamon Rolls for up to 6 months.
How to Store Cinnamon Rolls?
Cinnamon Rolls are best fresh, but if you need to store them, wrap them up in plastic wrap to keep air out. they can be placed in the fridge or on the counter until ready to enjoy.
How do you keep Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Drying Out?
Wrapping each roll individually is the key. A double layer of plastic wrap also helps too. If wrapping a pan of cinnamon rolls, try also wrapping with foil too.
Should Cinnamon Rolls touch when baking?
When placing cinnamon rolls on the pan I do not have them touching. However, as they bake they naturally rise and will often tough by the time they are baked.
If you pack your pan too full, it's impossible for the cinnamon rolls to bake evenly and you will get hard dense rolls.
Can I make Homemade Orange Rolls?
Of course you can, a simple trick to making orange rolls is in the glaze or frosting. Add a teaspoon of orange zest and use orange juice in place of the milk in the recipe. Super simple!
Can I add in Raisens?
Yes, you can add in raisins. Simple add them before you roll up your cinnamon rolls. You can also add chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips, or even fruit pie filling. YUM!
SAVE and Pin for Later!
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1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Bread
- 3 ½ Cups Warm Water
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- ½ Cup Oil
- 6 Tbs Instant Yeast
- ½ Tbs Salt
- 3 Eggs
- 10 - 10 ½ Cups Bread Flour
Frosting
- ½ Cup Softened Butter
- 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 3-6 Tbs Milk *for desired consistency
Cinnamon Rolls
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 3-4 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Cup Raisens *optional
Instructions
Dough
- In a large bowl, add warm water. Mix in Sugar and Oil and stir. Add Yeast. Gently stir. Cover and set aside for 15 minutes. I like to place this mixture in my microwave to activate, do not not turn the microwave on.
- In a Stand Mixer, add 3 cups flour and salt. Add Yeast liquid and mix. Add eggs one at a time and mix.
- Add 3 more cups of flour and mix
- Slowly add 3 more cups of flour and mix
- Add the remaining 1 - 1 ½ cups flour testing for stickiness. Dough should be sticky but not stick to your fingers.
- Remove from mixer and place Instant Pot on Yogurt Setting. Cover with a glass lid and allow to raise for 15-20 minutes. The yogurt setting is a perfect warm environment for the dough to raise quick and easily without killing the yeast.
- If you do not have a Pressure Cooker with a Yogurt Setting, place your dough into a bowl, cover with a towel and place on the counter to double in size.
Dinner Rolls
- Roll out one section of dough into smaller rectangle about ½ in thick. Cut into squares and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Brush butter on top of warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Cinnamon Rolls
- Separate dough into 3 sections. Using one section at a time roll out into a rectangle. Add Brown Sugar and Cinnamon evenly over dough.
- Roll Dough and pinch seam together. Cut with a knife 3 finger width and place on greased cookie sheet
- Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Frost and Enjoy.
Melda Duckworth
It sounds the same with pizza recipe. Can I use the dough for pizza?
Devour Dinner
We use the dough for Pizza, however it's a thick fluffy soft crust. Which we love!
Jan Bullock
These cinnamon rolls are fantastic! Easy to follow and very forgiving recipe!
Devour Dinner
Hi Jan! Thanks for the great review. This is a VERY forgiving recipe for sure which is why I like it. They always turn out great!
Icka
Hi, I made this but the dough became so huge! Did i overproof it? It was still soft however it is a huge roll
Devour Dinner
Hi Icka, this is a large batch and will make many cinnamon rolls. I typically separate the dough into thirds to roll out so it's more manageable. Sounds like you were trying to roll it out all at once. Maybe give that a try!
Amanda Clay
If I wanted to make the dough the night before baking, would it be okay to put the rolls in the refrigerator instead of the freezer?
Devour Dinner
I've not tested this, but I'm sure it would work if you want to make the dough a head of time, plan extra time to let the dough sit out and come to room temperature before it raises.
Rose
I have an instant pot but i I don’t have the glass lid. Can I still proof my dough it in
Devour Dinner
Hi Rose, you can use a large dinner plate or even a cookie sheet. Anything to cover the top will work!
Nicole
The dough did not rise for me. :’(
I put the warm water sugar and oil with the yeast and let sit in microwave for 15 minutes.
I’m so sad cause they looked so good.
Devour Dinner
Hi Nicole, I'm so sorry to hear that. Yeast can be temperamental for sure. Sounds like maybe the yeast was bad or the water was too hot and killed the yeast.
Lori
These were DELICIOUS!!! Thank You!!
Devour Dinner
So glad you like them!
Victoria Chapman
my old recipe calls for 2 risings. One proofing, and one after getting the roll cut up into pieces. Usually the second rising is about 30 min. I'm guessing you don't need to do the second rising?
Devour Dinner
That is correct, I only proof the dough once. However because it's such a large batch some will be waiting to get into the oven and end up with a 2nd rise. But it's not necessary
Lisa
I’m hoping to make these today; look delish! I’m not sure my kitchen aid mixer will be able to sustain that much flour (it’s a smaller one). If I half it how many eggs would I do considering it calls for 3?
Devour Dinner
Great Question Lisa! I half this recipe all the time and works perfectly. I use 2 eggs when I half the recipe.
Lisa
Awesome! Thank you for your quick reply 🙂
Dana
Please confirm that the yeast called for in this recipe is 6 Tablespoons (or 3 Tablespoons for the one loaf of sweet bread with the halved recipe. That is a much greater yeast to flour recipe than I have seen before and I am concerned I may be reading your abbreviation incorrectly. If I am not, could I use less yeast and give the rolls a second rise?
Devour Dinner
Hi Dana,
Yes, this recipe uses 6 Tablespoons (Tbs) of yeast. I also cut the batch in halve and use 3 Tbs of yeast as well. I've heard others have cut the original recipe in thirds as well, although I have never tried to cut in thirds. I have not tested this recipe using less yeast. Although, I'm sure you could use less yeast and a 2nd rise would be needed. Hope this helps!
Casi Head
I am going to make these today and am giving this a shot because I am not sure I would get a response in time... but wondered if you have tried subbing applesauce for the oil? I have been pretty successful in other baked goods doing this. I don't keep oil other than olive oil so here goes nothing! Christmas morning rolls and my IP... these are a few of my favorite things! Thanks for the recipe!!
Devour Dinner
Hi Cassie, Sorry I missed this comment. I've never tried applesauce as a substitute in this recipe but would be curious to know if you tried it and it worked. Let me know!
Brittni LaMothe
HI, forgive me for asking this if it has already been asked. And I rarely make dough.... can I make the dough ahead of time? Thanks
Devour Dinner
Hi Brittni, You can make the dough, roll it out and place in the fridge until ready to bake a couple hours later. Or I just prefer to freeze the rolls for when I'm wanting to use them.
Stacey
I don't have a stand up mixer. Will this recipe still work for me?
Devour Dinner
Hi Stacey
This recipe calls for 10 cups of flour and would be extremely difficult without a stand mixer using dough hooks. You can cut this recipe in half and if you have a good sturdy hand mixer with dough hooks you might be able to make a half batch but you would still need to knead the dough by hand too. Hope this helps!
Sara Paluck
When mixing in bowl with kitchenmaidbdo I use paddle or dough hook to mix
Devour Dinner
Hi Sara, I would always use a dough hook for bread dough recipes. A paddle would not knead the dough well at all.
Carolyn
“The rolls”? With the sugar and cinnamon already rolled inside of the dough before freezing?
Devour Dinner
When I freeze, I make them into cinnamon rolls (filled with cinnamon and sugar rolled up) I place on wax paper on a cookie sheet and freeze individually. Then I store in a sealed container or bag. When I'm ready to use I pull them out and place on a cookie sheet to thaw. When they are thaw I then bake them as normal.
Stephanie Payonk
Tips for freezing them? How do you package them and keep them from sticking together?
Devour Dinner
Hi Stephanie,
To freeze I freeze in cinnamon roll form and then package them in a sealed container or bag. I thaw on the counter on a cookie sheet until ready to bake.
Gina
With there being 9 cups of flour In this recipe, has anyone tried this w gluten free flour? I have a Celiac daughter, and would love to find a great cinnamon roll recipe. If so on the GF flour, which brand? We tend to love Bob’s Red Mill Baking 1-for-1.
Devour Dinner
Gina, I unfortunately have not tested this recipe with GF Flour. If you give it a try, maybe cut the recipe in half to test it out. This recipe can easily be cut in half (which I do often). When cut in half, I use 2 eggs. Please let me know if this works for you and which brand of GF Flour was used.
Doni B
I am curious if it worked with GF Flour...
Devour Dinner
I have not yet tested this recipe w/ GF Flour
Peg
Yippee❣️ exciting that it went viral. I pinned and printed but haven't had time to make. Love that you can proof with the instant pot.
Devour Dinner
Hi Peg! YES...So excited how much love this recipe has gotten. I've been making this recipe for decades and love love it. Hope you give it a try and love it too.
Lat62ca
Will work with my Lux 6 qt IP ? I dont have Yogurt button.
Devour Dinner
Hi, unfortunately the tip to proof dough only works with a pressure cooker that has the Yogurt Button feature. However, this is only a tip to proof dough quicker. The traditional way is to leave the dough in on the counter and cover with a towel and allow to rise. You can also warm up the oven and then turn the oven off, and place the dough in the oven to rise.
Ruth Linde
Do you have instructions for making one of the sections into breadsticks?
Devour Dinner
Hi Ruth,
I use this dough and will make a section into rolls. Breadsticks would also be easy to make. Form pieces of dough into bread sticks and place on your greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown on top. Maybe 10-12 minutes, but keep an eye on them just to be safe.
Ilene Tilley
Hi! Recipe sounds great! I keep regular yeast on hand. Can it be substituted instead of rapid yeast?
Devour Dinner
Hi Ilene, Great Question... Yes you can. With the amount of yeast this recipe uses I don't feel like you will need to adjust your regular yeast for this specific recipe. Since the recipe is all ready proofing the yeast, it will work just fine.
Hollie
This recipe is great! I can't believe how much time this saved me using my IP. One question, can you get the trays of cinnamon rolls ready and refrigerate and cook the next morning? I'm planning on making these for a large family breakfast and would like to prepare them the night before, but bake them in the morning so we don't have to reheat them. Thank you!
Jen
Can you use regular all purpose flour?
Devour Dinner
Yes you can! It's a little different in the end but most people don't notice the difference
Lissa
Delicious! A trick my mom taught me when cutting cinnamon rolls is to use dental floss. Slide under the roll and then bring the ends around and pull until it cuts through. So much easier than using a knife.
Devour Dinner
Hi Lissa,
Love the tricks we learn from our moms or grandmas. Dental Floss works wonderfully well for sure!
Gloria
I’ve done the dental floss to cut them and it is easy and does a great job.
Briana
These are amazing!! Absolutely the best recipe I’ve tried, and there have been several! Thanks for sharing! I do have a question.. any tips on how to keep the brown sugar and cinnamon from spilling out during cutting/transferring to a pan? I’ve tried making a paste with softened butter, and it was very good, but changed the bake a little. I usually end up sprinkling what falls out on top before baking, but my preference is for it to stay in the actual roll.
Devour Dinner
Hi Briana! I'm so glad you loved this recipe! It's a keeper for sure. Unfortunately a little bit of the brown sugar mixture will spill out. However, I find if I roll up my dough as tight as I can, I tend to lose less. I find I'm never really short on the brown sugar anyways as I tend to add an extra 'dash' just got good measure! haha. Hope this helps!
Dolly
Hi, can I use All Purpose Flour instead of Bread Flour?
Devour Dinner
Hi Dolly,
Yes you could use an All Purpose flour for this recipe. It's a very forgiving recipe. 😉
Hilary
Can you skip the salt? My husband is on a salt-free diet. Thanks
Devour Dinner
Hi Hilary,
You can of course skip the salt. However, it will change the taste and flavor of the rolls. The recipe uses very little salt as is but I understand the need to alter the recipe for diet restrictions. Removing the salt won't change how the dough comes together, just the taste.
Loretta
Can you use gluten free/corn free flour for this recipe?
Devour Dinner
Loretta, I have not tried a GF Flour with this recipe. I would imagine that you can. This recipe can be cut in half which would take less flour and might be a better option to test with GF Flour. When I cut this recipe in half, I use 2 eggs. I'd love to hear how it works and which brand of GF Flour was used.
Sue Myers
I don't use a knife to cut the rolls. Instead I use dental floss or thick thread....lift end of the long roll, slide thread under crosswise, lay roll back down then cross threads at the top & pull until a slice is cut through. Then quickly place on baking pan. Repeat. So quick & easy, a keeps the rolls from getting smashed by knife cutting....
Devour Dinner
Hi Sue! Dental Floss is a great tip and works really well for cutting Cinnamon Rolls.
Cheryl
cut using a piece of plain dental floss. slide it under then cross cross it on top and pull through.
Devour Dinner
Great Tip Cheryl, floss works great to cut cinnamon rolls. Just don't use Mint Floss unless you want some minty taste to it. 😉
Jean
When I make cinnamon rolls, I spread softened butter on the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the butter. The butter keeps the sugar mixture in place.
Devour Dinner
Hi Jean, spreading butter is a common practice for sure. Sometimes I change it up and don't use the butter. Either way works well I find.
Ashley
Do these freeze well? If so, would you make and slice the cinnamon rolls then freeze?
Devour Dinner
Hi Ashley, these do freeze well. You can slice them and freeze them until you are ready to use, then allow to thaw on the counter.
April
How long do you let them thaw/rise? I am just wondering about timing for a big family breakfast over the holidays.
Devour Dinner
Hi April,
When I freeze the cinnamon rolls, I will pull them out and place on the counter to thaw. The time varies depending on how hot my kitchen is or what kind of pan the rolls are in. It can take a couple hours to thaw.
Carol Wiitanen
ALSO...your video refers to placing the dough in the MICROWAVE not the instant pot????
Devour Dinner
Hi Carol! I do place my warm water, sugar, oil and yeast in the Microwave to rest as the yeast activates. However, after I have mixed the yeast mixture with the flour and remaining ingredients I place the dough into the Pressure Cooker using the Yogurt Button to allow the dough to proof and double in size. Sorry for your confusion but I hope this helps explain!
Gloria Carpenter
You use a metal bowl in the microwave?? In your video you don't say if you turn the microwave on, so I'm assuming you just set the bowl in there...right?
Also, the video doesn't mention using the instant pot at all! would be great if you had a video using the instant pot.
Devour Dinner
Hi Gloria!
That is correct, you do NOT turn the microwave on. I place my yeast mixture in the microwave to create a warm environment as the yeast is activating. When I made the video I was not using this amazing Tip/Trick of proofing dough in the Pressure Cooker, I do hope to update the video in time! The instructions are all written out in the post and it's a wonderful tip/trick that I LOVE!
Carol Wiitanen
do you let the rolls rise again when on the pan? I don't see that in the recipe It just says to place the rolls on the pan and bake!!!!
Devour Dinner
I do not do a 2nd rise. I place the dough on the pans and bake. Naturally they can't all bake at once, so some rolls tend to get a 2nd rise. But they do not need to.
Rick
Loved these rolls! Easy to make. Divded the recipe into thirds and ended up with a dozen rolls. Delicious!
Devour Dinner
So glad you loved this recipe like we do! Oh they are good!
Cynthia
I think there is something wrong with the slicing instructions, for making a cinnamon roll three finger thick would make a humongous cinnamon roll. Please tell me how thick you actually slice the “log” to make the individual rolls.
Devour Dinner
Hi Cynthia,
I have smaller fingers, and use about a 3 finger width. That would be about 1 1/2+ inches for each cinnamon roll. I prefer my cinnamon rolls to be thicker, but you can cut them smaller if you prefer.