What makes the perfect cinnamon roll? Flaky dough, gooey caramel, and a sweet cinnamon kick. Ree Drummond’s famous recipe combines homemade yeast dough, melted butter, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon for an easy breakfast treat that’s sure to become a family favorite. Save this idea for a weekend baking project.

The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls

Introduction

Imagine waking up to the sweet, comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, made with love and care, using everyday ingredients that are easily accessible in your pantry. The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves baking, as it combines ease, flavor, and creativity in a single, mouth-watering dish. With its perfect balance of sweet and spicy, these cinnamon rolls are sure to become a staple in your household, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of the day.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: This recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, using common ingredients like flour, sugar, and cinnamon that are readily available in most kitchens.
• Ease of preparation: The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls are surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and time, making them perfect for busy mornings or special occasions.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: Despite their simplicity, these cinnamon rolls yield impressive results, with a soft, fluffy texture and a sweet, sticky glaze that is sure to impress family and friends.

Key Ingredients

The main ingredients in this recipe include 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted, 1/2 cup of cinnamon sugar, and 1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened, for the frosting. You can also use practical substitutions like substituting the active dry yeast with instant yeast or using brown sugar instead of white sugar for a slightly different flavor.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by activating the yeast in the warm water, then mix in the sugar, flour, and salt to form a smooth dough. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
3. Step 3: Roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Let the rolls rise for another 30-40 minutes, or until they have puffed up slightly.
4. Step 4: Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before drizzling with the frosting.

Handy Tips

• Make sure to use high-quality ingredients, like real butter and pure vanilla extract, to get the best flavor out of your cinnamon rolls.
• Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can lead to tough, dense rolls. Instead, mix the ingredients just until they come together in a shaggy dough, then let the yeast do the rest of the work.
• If you want to get creative, try adding different spices or flavorings to the dough, like nutmeg or orange zest, to give your cinnamon rolls a unique twist.

Heat Control

When baking the cinnamon rolls, it’s essential to keep an eye on the temperature and timing to ensure they are cooked to perfection. The ideal temperature is 375°F, and the rolls should be baked for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a roll – if it comes out clean, the rolls are ready.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in these cinnamon rolls comes from the cinnamon sugar topping, which adds a sweet and crunchy texture to the soft, fluffy rolls. To achieve this, make sure to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the butter before rolling up the dough. You can also try adding other crunchy toppings, like chopped nuts or oats, to give your cinnamon rolls extra texture.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• Use a stand mixer to make the dough, as this will save you time and effort in the long run. Simply combine the ingredients in the mixer bowl and let the machine do the work.
• Try using a pastry brush to apply the melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture to the dough, as this will give you a more even coating and help the rolls bake up golden brown.
• To get the perfect swirl in your cinnamon rolls, make sure to roll the dough tightly and evenly, then cut the log into equal pieces. This will help the rolls bake up with a beautiful, swirly pattern.

Storage Tips

• Leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Simply wrap the rolls individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a container or zip-top bag.
• To freeze the rolls, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer. Once the rolls are frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply leave the rolls at room temperature or reheat them in the microwave or oven.
• The best containers for storing cinnamon rolls are airtight containers or zip-top bags, as these will keep the rolls fresh and prevent them from drying out.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you want to give your cinnamon rolls as a gift, there are several packaging ideas you can try. One idea is to place the rolls in a decorative tin or jar, then wrap the tin or jar in ribbon or twine. You can also try placing the rolls in a cellophane bag or a paper bag with a cute label or gift tag. Another idea is to create a cinnamon roll gift basket, filled with a variety of sweet treats like cookies, brownies, and candy.

Flavor Variations

• Different spices: Try adding different spices to the dough, like nutmeg or cardamom, to give your cinnamon rolls a unique flavor.
• Creative toppings: Instead of using the traditional cinnamon sugar topping, try using other toppings like chopped nuts or oats, or even candy pieces like M&M’s or chocolate chips.
• Ingredient swaps: If you want to make your cinnamon rolls a little healthier, try swapping out the white sugar for honey or maple syrup, or using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If your cinnamon rolls are too dense or tough, it may be because you overmixed the dough. Try mixing the ingredients just until they come together in a shaggy dough, then let the yeast do the rest of the work.
• Ingredient replacements: If you don’t have a certain ingredient, like cream cheese or powdered sugar, try substituting it with something else. For example, you can use milk or yogurt instead of cream cheese, or granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar.
• Over/undercooking signs: If your cinnamon rolls are overcooked, they may be too brown or crispy. If they are undercooked, they may be too pale or soft. Try checking the rolls frequently while they are baking to ensure they are cooked to perfection.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze the cinnamon rolls for up to 2 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer. Once the rolls are frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer.
• Is it gluten-free? No, this recipe is not gluten-free, as it uses all-purpose flour. However, you can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the rolls gluten-free.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make more cinnamon rolls. Simply multiply all the ingredients by two and follow the same instructions as before.

Conclusion

The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. With their soft, fluffy texture and sweet, sticky glaze, these rolls are sure to become a staple in your household. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is a great way to get started with baking and to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of freshly baked cinnamon rolls!