Picture this: it’s a cozy Sunday morning, and the smell of cinnamon and sugar is already waking up your senses before you even make it to the kitchen. These mini cinnamon rolls are the kind of thing that make you pause mid-bite and go, ‘Wow, I made this?’ They’re soft, gooey, and packed with that cinnamon-sugar swirl we all love—but in a bite-sized form that makes it dangerously easy to keep going back for more. I whipped these up one afternoon when I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to commit to a full-on, yeast-rising, dough-proofing situation. You feel me? The dough is more like a biscuit than a traditional roll, which means no waiting around. Just mix, roll, fill, and bake. And let’s talk about that cream cheese frosting… it’s like a soft, tangy blanket that pulls everything together into the kind of treat you end up hiding from your family so you can have one more tomorrow. This recipe lands somewhere between dessert and breakfast, which is my favorite culinary gray area. Perfect for a sweet breakfast spread, a cozy weekend treat, or honestly, eaten right off the baking sheet while no one’s looking. This is why it fits so snugly into the world of sweet easy recipes, air fryer easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, easy dessert recipes, easy recipes for dinner, bread easy recipes, and butter swim biscuits easy recipes.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4) How to Make Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 5) Tips for Making Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6) Making Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8) Try these Breakfast Recipes next!
- 9) Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Quick recipe with no yeast needed
- Biscuit-style dough makes it beginner-friendly
- Perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness and tangy cream cheese frosting
- Great for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack
- Freezer-friendly and customizable
2) Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
These sweet easy recipes really come through on busy mornings. I like to think of these mini cinnamon rolls as my go-to happy snack. You don’t need any fancy mixer or special skills. You just mix, roll, slice, and bake. That’s it. No yeast, no proofing. Just cozy cinnamon comfort in under 30 minutes.
The biscuit-style dough is forgiving, which means even if you overmix a little, you’re still getting something tender and flaky. I love how fast they bake. By the time I’ve cleared the counter, they’re puffed up and golden.
Whether you need something for brunch or you’re looking to whip up a batch of easy dessert recipes in a pinch, these cinnamon rolls are the sweet fix you’ll want to make again. And if you’re like me and usually have a bit of a frosting obsession, you’ll be glad that the cream cheese glaze is silky and simple enough to lick off the spoon. Twice.
3) Ingredients for Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
All-purpose flour: This is the base of the dough. Keep it simple and use a light hand when mixing so the dough stays tender and fluffy.
Granulated sugar: Just a little bit sweetens the dough itself, giving the base a mild flavor that complements the cinnamon filling.
Baking powder: No yeast here. This is your leavening buddy, helping the dough rise fast and bake up nice and soft.
Salt: A pinch makes everything else pop. Don’t skip it. It balances the sweetness in the dough and frosting.
Whole milk: Adds richness and helps bring the dough together. You can swap it with cream or non-dairy milk if needed.
Melted butter: This makes the dough soft and gives a subtle richness that plays well with the sweet filling.
Softened butter: Spread this across the rolled-out dough for that buttery swirl that holds onto the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Brown sugar: This is the heart of the filling. It melts into the butter, creating that gooey cinnamon magic in the center of every roll.
Ground cinnamon: The star of the show. Warm, cozy, and exactly what makes these rolls feel like a hug.
Cream cheese: Softened and smooth, this is what gives the frosting its tang and balances all the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: The frosting’s sweet finish. It blends easily with the cream cheese and doesn’t need sifting.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth to the frosting. I never skip it—it rounds everything out with a warm aroma.
Whole milk (again): Just a splash loosens the frosting into a spreadable glaze. Add more if you like it thinner.
4) How to Make Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. While it heats up, grease a small baking dish or line it with parchment so your rolls don’t stick.
Step 2. In a big bowl, mix your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in milk and melted butter. Stir until it all comes together in a shaggy dough.
Step 3. Turn that dough onto a floured counter. Give it a gentle knead. Don’t wrestle it—just a few folds and presses will do.
Step 4. Roll the dough into a rectangle, about 12 inches wide. Mix your brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon. Spread that sugary blend all over the dough.
Step 5. Roll it up tight, starting on the long edge. Slice it into 12 pieces. I like to eyeball it, but you can measure if you’re a perfectionist.
Step 6. Place each roll cut side up in your baking dish. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until golden and puffed up. It smells so good, it’s hard to wait.
Step 7. While the rolls bake, make the frosting. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Stir it into creamy bliss.
Step 8. Once rolls are out and still warm, slather them with the frosting. Don’t be shy—it melts into the swirls and makes every bite dreamy.
5) Tips for Making Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
If your dough feels sticky, sprinkle on a little extra flour while kneading. Don’t go overboard—too much flour makes the rolls tough instead of soft and fluffy.
Use room temperature ingredients for the frosting. Cold cream cheese won’t blend well and might leave lumps. Let it soften for 30 minutes and it’ll whip up smooth.
If you want more filling, go for it. Add chopped pecans, a drizzle of maple syrup, or even a dash of nutmeg to the cinnamon blend. Little changes can make it your own.
6) Making Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
You can absolutely make these ahead. I’ve made them the night before and stored them unbaked in the fridge. Just cover the dish with foil or wrap, then bake them fresh in the morning.
Or, bake them completely and frost after they cool. Reheat them in the oven for five minutes and they’ll be just as soft and cozy. The frosting still melts beautifully over them.
If you’re freezing, I suggest freezing without the frosting. Then warm them up, frost, and enjoy like they were made today. These fit right into quick and easy recipes when prepped this way.
7) Storing Leftover Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Once baked and cooled, cover the rolls tightly or place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh on the counter for up to two days, but I prefer the fridge if it’s warm out.
The cream cheese frosting keeps best chilled. When you’re ready to eat, pop a roll in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The center turns soft, the frosting melts slightly, and all is right with the world again.
They freeze well, too. Wrap each roll in plastic and store in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for two months. Just don’t forget they’re there. Sweet easy recipes like this deserve a second round.
8) Try these Breakfast Recipes next!
9) Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting – Sweet Easy Recipes Treat
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or line with parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour in milk and melted butter, then stir until a soft dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times until smooth.
- Roll the dough into a 12×9-inch rectangle.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread over dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 even pieces.
- Place rolls in the baking dish. Bake for 11–13 minutes until golden brown.
- While rolls bake, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
- Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve immediately (or hide a few for yourself!).
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 mini roll | Calories: 180 | Sugar: 14g | Sodium: 170mg | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Carbohydrates: 24g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg
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