Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
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Soft, gooey puff pastry cinnamon rolls are what you need to start your day right. Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and finished off with a sweet vanilla glaze, this breakfast treat is perfect in every way. It has everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls, just made with puff pastry for ease and convenience.
Don’t you just love breakfast food? Nothing beats enjoying a warm, hearty meal first thing in the morning. I don’t know about you, but my mood for the day is only as good as what I eat for breakfast, that’s why I make it a point to always start the day with something comforting, like applesauce pancakes, leftover mashed potato waffles, or apple cinnamon overnight oats. And speaking of cinnamon, we have a new breakfast favorite – puff pastry cinnamon rolls!
I use puff pastry so I don’t have to make the dough from scratch, which makes it convenient for busy mornings. These cinnamon rolls are so easy to make and love, and my kitchen always smells amazing when they’re in the oven.
We love them for breakfast, brunch, as an after-meal dessert, or a mid-afternoon treat. Enjoy these crazy good cinnamon rolls for breakfast and you’re guaranteed to be in the best mood the entire day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fuss-free: Puff pastry makes these cinnamon rolls a breeze to prep and make, perfect for busy mornings or last-minute entertaining.
- Crave-worthy: These cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy with a delicious gooey center and a smooth vanilla glaze. Hard to believe that this melt-in-your-mouth goodness came out of your oven!
- Perfect for sharing: Cozy brunch with friends? Holiday gathering? These cinnamon rolls are the perfect for-sharing treat.
- Customizable: Add nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, and other delicious mix-ins to make the recipe your own.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the rolls the night before, pop them in the fridge, and just bake fresh in the morning for an easy, stress-free breakfast.
How to Make Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
Why pick up cinnamon rolls from the bakery when you can make equally good, if not better ones at home? I bet you can bake 12 fresh rolls faster than going out and getting some!
To make these delicious cinnamon rolls, simply roll the puff pastry dough, coat it with cinnamon sugar, bake, then add the glaze. The whole process takes just 40 minutes, and you’ll have a big batch to share and enjoy.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
For the cinnamon rolls:
- Puff pastry dough: Creates the flaky, buttery base of the cinnamon rolls. I use store-bought frozen puff pastry to simplify the process, but you can also use a homemade version.
- Butter: Helps the sugars and cinnamon stick to the pastry.
- White and brown sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to create that gooey, irresistible swirl we all love.
- Ground cinnamon: Add warmth and spice, giving the rolls a comforting flavor.
For the glaze:
- Powdered sugar: Gives the glaze its smooth, sweet consistency and helps it set over the rolls.
- Butter: Adds creaminess and enhances the flavor of the glaze.
- Milk: Thins the glaze to a pourable consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet undertone that enhances the overall flavor of the glaze.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to make a batch of delicious, fresh-off-the-oven puff pastry cinnamon rolls? I’ll walk you through each step with simple instructions to help you get started. So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some cinnamon magic happen!
Step 1: Prep your oven
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix sugars and cinnamon
Mix the sugars and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 3: Roll the dough
Next, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and brush each piece with melted butter, leaving approximately a 1-centimeter border around the edge. There are typically two portions per package. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the butter.
Roll the first section of dough up from the narrow side, trim off the uneven edges, and cut into 6 equal pieces. Repeat with the second section.
Step 4: Bake
Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool while you make the glaze.
Step 5: Make the glaze
To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla. Add a splash more of milk if you want to thin the glaze a bit more. It should have some weight to it but still drizzle easily.
Step 6: Add the glaze and serve
Spoon the glaze over all the rolls and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Substitutions
This puff pastry cinnamon rolls recipe only uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that you may already have at home, but if not, no worries! With a few easy swaps, you can still achieve that perfect flavor and texture. Here are my recommended ingredient substitutions:
- Puff pastry: If you’re out of puff pastry, you can substitute with crescent roll dough, though the texture will be slightly different. If you want a dairy-free option, look for a puff pastry brand that uses oil, not butter.
- Butter: If you don’t want to use butter, use coconut oil or any vegetable oil of your choice.
- Granulated sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar for a more natural sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Swap out with dark brown or demerara sugar.
- Ground cinnamon: Replace with or add a blend of warm spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom. Alternatively, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice can give your pastry a seasonal touch.
- Powdered sugar: Blend granulated sugar until fine for a quick DIY powdered sugar or use a sugar-free powdered sweetener.
- Milk: Swap the whole milk for plant-based milk like nut, seed, or coconut milk if you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative.
- Vanilla extract: No vanilla extract? Try vanilla bean paste or almond extract.
Expert Tips
- Use quality puff pastry: Whether you make your own or buy pre-made, opt for high-quality puff pastry. It makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture.
- Keep the dough cold: After thawing the dough, keep it refrigerated until ready to use. It should be cold when you work with it; otherwise, it can become very sticky and difficult to use if it’s left out at room temperature too long. Keep the dough in the fridge or freezer anytime you’re not actively working with it.
- Use floss to cut the rolls: I use unflavored dental floss or a really sharp knife to cut the rolls perfectly, as regular knives can potentially squish them. Grab a 10-inch piece of long floss and pull it tight. Slide it underneath the roll, then bring the two ends up and cross them over the top. Pull the ends tight to cleanly slice through the roll without squishing it.
- Glaze when warm: Spread the glaze over the rolls while they’re warm to let it melt slightly and soak into each roll for extra gooeyness.
- Add your favorite mix-ins: Add your choice of mix-ins to the filling to make the recipe your own. You can also add some to the glaze for added texture. I like adding sprinkles for color and fun!
- Double batch: This recipe makes smaller rolls – my family of four usually eats all of these in one sitting. I suggest making a double batch for a crowd or serving with sides of fresh fruit or yogurt parfait to round out the meal.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer puff pastry cinnamon rolls into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat a whole pan of cinnamon rolls, warm in the oven at 300 F for 10 to 15 minutes.
If you want to reheat an individual serving, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds over medium heat. Add 10 seconds for each additional cinnamon roll on the plate.
What to Serve with Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
For breakfast, enjoy puff pastry cinnamon rolls with coffee, tea, or juice. My kids and I love them with peppermint hot chocolate during the holidays!
For a heartier meal, pair it with scrambled eggs, maple bacon, yogurt parfait, or a side of fresh fruit. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent snack or after-dinner dessert.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas To Try
- 2-ingredient pancakes
- Sheet pan eggs
- Overnight breakfast casserole
- Salmon quiche
- Impossible quiche (original Bisquick quiche)
If you make these puff pastry cinnamon rolls, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Easy Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 1 package puff pastry dough thawed in the refrigerator overnight
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the glaze:
- 1 ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the sugars and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and brush each piece with melted butter, leaving approximately a 1 centimeter border around the edge. There are typically two portions per package. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the butter.
- Roll the first section of dough up from the narrow side, trim off the uneven edges, and cut into 6 equal pieces. Repeat with the second section.
- Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool while you make the glaze.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla. Add a splash more of milk if you want to thin the glaze a bit more. It should have some weight to it but still drizzle easily.
- Spoon the glaze over all the rolls and serve warm or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Whether you make your own or buy pre-made, opt for high-quality puff pastry. It makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture.
- Keep the dough refrigerated until ready to use or anytime you’re not actively working with it to prevent it from becoming sticky and difficult to use.
- Use unflavored dental floss or a really sharp knife to cut the rolls perfectly, as regular knives can potentially squish them. Grab a 10-inch piece of long floss and pull it tight. Slide it underneath the roll, then bring the two ends up and cross them over the top. Pull the ends tight to cleanly slice through the roll without squishing it.
- Spread the glaze over the rolls while they’re warm to let it melt slightly and soak into each roll for extra gooeyness.
- Add your choice of mix-ins to the filling to make the recipe your own. You can also add some to the glaze for added texture. I like adding sprinkles for color and fun!
- Double batch: This recipe makes smaller rolls, so make a double batch for a crowd or serve with sides of fresh fruit or yogurt parfait.
