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These easy no-knead cinnamon rolls are made with a killer no-need-to-knead dough. Despite the shortcut, these rolls come out ultra-fluffy & perfectly sweet.

cinnamon rolls with cream cheese on top

Easy cinnamon rolls are your new go-to when you have a sweet tooth but are short on time. You can whip these rolls up in minutes! This recipe is perfect for meal-prepping. That’s right — not all meal-preppers are stowing away boiled chicken and broccoli for the week! We like to have something naughty on hand too. That way I know that when a craving for junk food strikes, I have something less processed to turn to.

Our 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Icing

There’s much debate surrounding what frosting is best for cinnamon rolls, but we are wholeheartedly on team cream cheese frosting. To make our simple 3-ingredient icing, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using a hand mixer or stand mixer until luscious and fluffy. Just like that, you have the perfect cinnamon roll icing!

Ingredients for the no knead cinnamon rolls

Making No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

The road to perfect cinnamon rolls is paved with just a few easy steps. Here’s an overview…

  • Make the Dough: First, whisk the lukewarm water, instant yeast, salt, eggs, and melted butter together in a large bowl. Next, stir in the all-purpose flour and place the dough in the fridge for at least 12 hours.
  • Prepare the Filling: Next, whisk the sugar and cinnamon together and melt the butter in a small bowl.
  • Roll the Dough Out: On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle with a rolling pin.
  • Assemble the Rolls: Next, pour the melted butter on top and then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling over the dough. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough up and cut it into 12 even pieces seam-side down.
  • Bake the Cinnamon Rolls: Assemble the cinnamon rolls on a baking dish and cover them with a towel. Allow them to rest at room temperature for an hour. Preheat the oven to 350℉ for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Make the Frosting: Next, mix the powdered sugar with softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until creamy.
  • Frost the Cinnamon Rolls: Finally, frost the cinnamon rolls and enjoy them fresh out of the oven!
dough and cinnamon with sugar
rolled out cinnamon rolls dough with butter
rolled out dough with butter and cinnamon sugar
cinnamon rolls cut into pieces
cinnamon rolls after rising on a baking sheet
baked cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet

3 Tips for Nailing Our No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls

For perfect, bakery-worthy cinnamon rolls, there are a few pointers to follow when using our no-knead dough method. 

  • Make sure to stir all the lumps out of the flour. Since you won’t be kneading the dough whatsoever, you’ll want to make sure you stir out any dry lumps or clumps before letting it rest in the refrigerator. This is key because you don’t wait to bake any lumps or clumps in! 
  • Slice the dough roll with a floured sharp knife. To prevent the knife from squishing the rolls as you slice them, dust it with flour first. Alternatively, you can use plain dental floss to get a super clean slice! 
  • The longer the dough sits, the better the rolls will be. The longer the dough sits, the better tasting the dough will be. You can keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days! 
cream with cinnamon rolls

Making Cinnamon Rolls in Advance

Whether you are hosting Sunday brunch or just like to have a dozen on hand for your kids on the weekend, cinnamon rolls can be made in advance to make your life that much easier (and sweeter). Do all the heavy lifting and roll them up the night before. Then, all you have to do is pop them in the oven right before serving. 

Storing & Reheating Tips

Baked cinnamon rolls can be refrigerated for 3-4 days in an airtight container. To reheat them, pop them in the oven for a few minutes or in the microwave. Just make sure to store the frosting separate and only spread it on right before you serve them prevent them from getting soggy.

baked cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet

A Few Fun Variations

A classic cinnamon-sugar filling is just one way to enjoy this classic treat. If you are in the mood to experiment, try these other fun variations. 

  • Sugar Buns: This recipe is a copycat of Starbucks’ beloved morning buns. Made with the same no-knead dough, you can whip them up super quick.
  • Poppy Seed Rolls: Our family favorite with poppy seed filling and raisins makes for an AMAZING breakfast treat.
  • Nutella Rolls: Spread Nutella on top of the no-knead dough for a chocolate-hazelnut spin on classic cinnamon rolls.
  • Nuts: Add some finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon, sugar, and butter mixture for that extra crunch.

FAQ

What’s the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns?

Cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns are quite similar in shape but have differences in their fillings and toppings. Buns will often come with nuts on the inside and are topped with a thick glaze – giving them their signature stickiness. On the other hand cinnamon rolls often feature a simple filling of cinnamon and sugar and are topped with a frosting of some sort.

Why did your cinnamon rolls turn out so dry?

Adding too much flour to your cinnamon roll dough is one of the main reasons they came out dry. Excess flour makes the dough super dense and will cause the wet ingredients to be completely overtaken.

How do you keep baked cinnamon rolls soft?

To keep baked cinnamon rolls soft, you must keep them stored in an airtight container. The more they are exposed to air, the quicker they will turn stale and tough. If this happens to you, simply nuke them in the microwave to soften them up.

Why is your cinnamon roll dough not rolling out easily?

The main reason that your cinnamon roll dough is too difficult to roll out is that you likely added too much flour. Remember, the proper way to measure flour is loosely in a measuring cup, not tightly packed.

Other Pastries to Try

Recipe

cinnamon rolls with cream cheese on top

No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls (So Easy)

Print Pin
Servings
12 servings
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This super simple recipe for no-knead cinnamon rolls is so soft, fluffy and sweet. Packed with cinnamon & sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients

Dough

Filling

Topping

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except for the flour.
    flour with egg and butter
  • Next, add in the flour and stir until you don't see any lumps of flour. The dough doesn't need to look perfect, as it will do it's magic while standing for 12 hours.
    flour with liquid in a bowl
  • Cover the dough with a towel and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or up to 4 days). The longer you let it sit in the refrigerator, the better tasting the dough will be.
    bowl with cinnamon rolls dough and a wrap
  • For the filling, combine the sugar and cinnamon together. Melt the butter in a separate jar.
    melted butter in a cup and cinnamon with sugar in a bowl
  • Dust the counter with flour and roll out the dough into a rectangular shape using a rolling pin.
    rolled out cinnamon rolls dough
  • Spread the melted butter and then the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly on the surface of the dough. Starting with the long side, roll up the dough in a spiral.
    rolled out dough with butter and cinnamon sugar
  • Flour the knife and cut the dough roll into 12 even pieces. Place the rolls onto a buttered baking pan, cover them with a towel, and let them rest for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
    baked cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet
  • Combine the powdered sugar with the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract. Mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
    powdered sugar with vanilla and cream cheese in a bowl
  • Spread the frosting over the cinnamon rolls and serve right away. Enjoy!
    cinnamon rolls with cream cheese on top
Nutrition Facts
No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls (So Easy)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Cholesterol 89mg30%
Sodium 232mg10%
Potassium 111mg3%
Carbohydrates 65g22%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 782IU16%
Calcium 56mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted June 18, 2022

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.