Imagine pulling a pan of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls out of the oven while your family gathers around the table. These crescent roll cinnamon rolls are my favorite shortcut for capturing that homemade bakery magic without the long rise times.
With flaky Pillsbury crescent dough, a buttery cinnamon sugar swirl, and your choice of sweet vanilla or cream cheese glaze, they come together in just 30 minutes. They’re perfect for Christmas morning, an easy church brunch, or a cozy Saturday breakfast with loved ones.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls 🥐
These crescent roll cinnamon rolls are the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a baking hero without the stress. The rolls are quick to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and they taste just as indulgent as traditional cinnamon rolls. They’re budget-friendly since you only need a handful of pantry staples. And the best part? They’re so versatile, serve them for breakfast, tuck them onto your holiday brunch table, or even bring them as a sweet dessert after Sunday dinner. Hosting becomes stress-free when you can whip these up ahead and reheat them right before serving.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Crescent Roll Dough: Pillsbury crescent roll dough works beautifully. You can also use a crescent dough sheet to skip pinching seams. I like to use store brands too.
- Butter: Use softened butter for the filling. For a dairy-free option, try a plant-based butter substitute.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well. If you only have granulated sugar, you can use it, but brown sugar adds a deeper flavor.
- Cinnamon: The heart of the recipe. Make sure your cinnamon is fresh for the best flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Used for the icing glaze. Sift it to avoid lumps.
- Cream Cheese: If you love a sweet, gooey topping, cream cheese is the perfect base to balance out the cinnamon rolls.
How To Make Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the Pan and Dough
Butter your baking dish. Then unroll the crescent dough, pinching seams together if needed to form a sheet. Using a pastry brush, spread softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
Sprinkle with Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture and Roll Dough
In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar until well combined. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the buttered dough.
Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log, then slice into 1-inch rolls. Place them in your prepared dish and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through in the center.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting Glaze
While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to form a smooth glaze. If you prefer, make a cream cheese glaze for extra richness.
Once baked, allow rolls to cool slightly, then drizzle or spread glaze over the warm rolls. Serve right away and enjoy the gooey, cinnamon-scented goodness!
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Flavor Enhancements: Stir in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom with the cinnamon sugar. Try maple or almond extract in the glaze.
Add-In Options: Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or even a swipe of Nutella before rolling.
Simple Substitutions: Swap brown sugar for white, or use orange zest for a citrusy flavor twist.
Tips for Recipe Success: Bake until the center roll is fully cooked, even if the edges brown faster. Use a serrated knife to make cleaner cuts between the rolls. For more baking inspiration, you might enjoy experimenting with the Fluffy Cloud Bread Recipe (Low-Carb, Keto, & Gluten-Free) or the shortcut-friendly Quick Banana Bread Using Cake Mix Recipe.
Crescent roll cinnamon rolls have a flakier, pastry-like texture compared to the denser canned cinnamon rolls.
Absolutely! Just slice your log into thinner pieces and reduce the bake time by a few minutes.
Yes! Place rolls in a single layer and air fry at 320°F for 7–9 minutes, checking for doneness.
Hospitality Challenge
This week, invite your kids to join you in a “Bake and Bless” project. Gather the simple ingredients to make these crescent roll cinnamon rolls, then have your children help prepare them. As the rolls bake, talk together about who in your neighborhood or church might need encouragement, perhaps an elderly neighbor, a new family on the block, or someone going through a hard time.
Package the warm cinnamon rolls with a handwritten note or scripture verse, and deliver them together. This small act of sweetness can open hearts and homes to deeper community and show your children how simple acts of service are a beautiful part of biblical hospitality.
More Bread Recipes To Try
- Cozy Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls Bake (5-Minute Prep)
- Ooey Gooey Sticky Buns Recipe (Using Frozen Dough Rolls)
- Cheddar and Rosemary Savory Zucchini Bread
- Tropical Sweet Pineapple Bread
These crescent roll cinnamon rolls are the easiest way to bring warm, gooey, homemade flavor to your table without the stress. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Easy Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
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Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
- 12 ounce crescent roll dough, tube of 8
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter , melted
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter , softened to room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the bottom and up the sides of the dish.2 tablespoons butter
Prepare Dough
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- Open the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual pieces. Lay them flat on a clean surface.12 ounce crescent roll dough
- Spread the softened butter over each crescent roll, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Lightly pat it down to help it stick.1/4 cup butter
- Roll each crescent dough piece starting from the small pointed end, tucking it in as you roll. Secure the roll and place it seam-side down in the buttered dish. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top if desired.
Bake
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- While baking, mix cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a medium-sized bowl until smooth.1/4 cup cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- When the cinnamon rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes. Then spread the frosting over the cinnamon rolls and serve immediately
Gina’s Notes and Tips
Tips and Variations
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips inside before rolling up the crescent dough for a gooey, chocolatey bite.
- Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
- Arrange the unbaked rolls with space in between so they crisp up more or put them close together so they stay extra soft and gooey in the center.
Does the 0.5 cups of butter mean 5 cups of butter? That sounds like a lot of butter to put into one recipe, but I love cinnamon rolls.
Venita, nope, it definitely doesn’t mean 5 cups of butter — that would be way too much for these cinnamon rolls! For the rolls you’ll use small amounts in stages:
For The Cinnamon Rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter for greasing the pan
1/4 cup melted butter for spreading on the dough
For the glaze you’ll use:
1/4 cup softened butter mixed with cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
Altogether, that’s about ¾ cup of butter in the entire recipe.
Hope you enjoy!
These look so good and pretty easy to make. Can’t wait to try.
Dapra, get a big glass of milk or coffee to go with it. It’s a sweet delight!