Why You’ll Love Sticky Sweet Pull‑Apart Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
These cinnamon rolls are:
– Easy to make, even for beginners.
– Made with simple ingredients and a clever shortcut using frozen rolls.
– Soft, sticky, and full of warm cinnamon‑sugar flavor in every bite.
– Finished with a bright lemony glaze for a fresh twist on classic cinnamon rolls.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
16 rolls frozen dinner rolls or frozen bread dough
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup butter, melted
½ cups walnuts (optional)
1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lemon, freshly squeezed juice
Directions
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Thaw the frozen rolls and cut each roll in half.
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Butter a baking dish generously on all sides.
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Melt the butter.
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In a bowl, mix together cinnamon, brown sugar, and white sugar.
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Dunk each roll half into the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
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Place the coated pieces in the prepared dish; repeat with remaining rolls.
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Dust any remaining cinnamon sugar over the top and add walnuts if using.
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Cover and let rise in a warm place for 2–3 hours until doubled in size.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown throughout.
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Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla to make the glaze.
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Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: Makes about 10 servings
Prep time: ~15 minutes (plus rising time)
Cook time: ~35 minutes
Rise time: 2–3 hours
Variations
– Add chopped apples or pears to the dough for a fruity twist
– Swap lemon glaze for classic cream cheese frosting
– Use pecans instead of walnuts or omit nuts entirely
– Sprinkle raisins or dried cranberries between the dough pieces
– Add orange zest to the glaze for a citrus variation
Storage/Reheating
To store, keep leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. Glaze can be refreshed after reheating.
FAQs
How do I prevent the rolls from sticking to the pan?
Make sure you generously butter the bottom and sides of your baking dish before arranging the coated roll pieces.
Can I use homemade rolls instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use homemade dinner rolls or bread dough—just cut and prepare them the same way as instructed.
What can I add for extra flavor?
Chopped apples, pecans, raisins, or craisins make great additions to the cinnamon sugar coating.
Can I skip the walnuts?
Absolutely—walnuts are optional and can be omitted or swapped for another nut like pecans.
How tart is the lemon glaze?
The lemon glaze adds a bright citrus note; adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste for sweeter or tangier glaze.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare them and let them rise in the fridge overnight; bring them to room temperature before baking.
Is there a substitute for lemon in the glaze?
You can replace lemon juice with a little milk or cream for a classic powdered sugar glaze.
How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
They should be golden brown on top and baked through—an inserted toothpick should come out clean.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe; just use a larger dish or two pans and adjust rise and bake times as needed.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through or microwave briefly, then add extra glaze if desired.
Conclusion
These Sticky Sweet Pull‑Apart Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, letting you enjoy gooey, cinnamon‑sugar goodness with minimal effort thanks to frozen rolls and a delicious lemon glaze. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or weekend mornings, they’re sure to become a favorite!
Sticky Sweet Pull‑Apart Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These pull-apart cinnamon rolls are a quick and easy breakfast or brunch treat made with refrigerated biscuits, cinnamon sugar, and a simple glaze. Perfect for sharing, this gooey and sweet pastry is baked in a bundt pan and served warm.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a bundt pan.
- In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Cut biscuits into quarters. Roll each piece in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- If using, layer some chopped nuts and raisins in the bottom of the bundt pan.
- Layer the coated biscuit pieces in the bundt pan, adding more nuts/raisins between layers if desired.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour evenly over the biscuit pieces.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let the pan rest for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk to make a glaze and drizzle over the warm rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can prepare the night before and bake in the morning.
- Best served fresh, but can be reheated in the microwave.
- Use a non-stick bundt pan and spray well to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
