Cinnamon rolls have always been one of my absolute favorite treats, so I am always trying and creating new cinnamon roll recipes. While I have some cinnamon roll recipes that I love that are very time consuming, sometimes you need an easy cinnamon roll recipe.
Today’s recipe is that easy cinnamon roll recipe. You still need a little time to rise (we are working with yeast here after all) but it’s quick and you can have these done, start to finish, in less than two hours. In the world of cinnamon roll recipes, that’s not bad. And I even made a gluten free version of these. Yes, a gluten free cinnamon roll recipe. 🙂
So let’s make some cinnamon rolls!
To make the gluten free version of these, I used Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour. I’ve recently started venturing into some gluten free baking. We have a number of friends that eat gluten free due to Celiac disease, life threatening gluten allergies and other health issues, so I figured it was time I take on some gluten free baking. My house is so full of picky eaters that the feedback is always super (brutally) honest, so if something turns out well, I know the critics aren’t just saying things to be nice. 🙂
Cup4Cup can be found on Amazon or check their product locator
Every time I’ve looked at gluten free recipes, I’ve been a bit put off by the long list of different ingredients that they have included. I’m all about simplicity, and unfortunately gluten free baking isn’t always all that simple. When I saw some other bloggers using Cup4Cup, I looked into it and loved the idea that it measured, cup for cup, like traditional flour. That’s more my speed. I reached out to Cup4Cup and they were kind enough to send me some to try. I jumped in right away with cinnamon rolls. After doing so, I read on their Facebook page that they don’t really recommend it in yeast recipes. I’m actually glad i didn’t read that first, because I would not have tried to make cinnamon rolls, and I’m happy I did.
They did not rise nearly as much as the regular flour version, but they did rise a bit. They did not have the elasticity that cinnamon roll dough typically has, almost a bit more like rolling out sugar cookie dough. They are certainly more of a dense cinnamon roll than light and fluffy, though I actually prefer a denser cinnamon roll, I feel like I’m getting more bang for my buck when eating. These were a bit tougher on day two, and it’s probably best to eat them the same day you make them. But all that said, they tasted GREAT. Everyone loved them. I was a little worried about the flavor and texture using gluten free flour, but they truly taste like normal cinnamon rolls, and aside from the denser texture, nothing about them says “you are eating gluten free” to me.
I also made sure to go a bit heavy on the cinnamon and brown sugar filling, as well as be extra generous with the cream cheese frosting. To me, so much of what I love about a cinnamon roll is found in those two items, and I think it really helps offset the not completely traditional aspect of the roll. We are a gluten eating family, so for all of us to love these says a lot. Very happy with these cinnamon rolls. I do think they will be best served warm and fresh from the oven. For leftovers, pop them into the microwave for about 15 seconds to heat and soften up.
Part of what makes these cinnamon rolls quick and easy is using a rapid rise yeast. Totally cuts down on the rise times, I love using it. For more info on the different types of yeasts, I found this video very helpful.
A little trick I use when letting my cinnamon rolls rise. I usually turn my oven on as though I am preheating it to 350 degrees, for about 2-3 minutes. I then turn my oven OFF, cover my dough or rolls, and place them in the turned off but slightly warm oven to rise. This gives them a nice warm draft free spot to do their thing.
Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe – Regular Version
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon half and half (milk can be used)
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer until creamy. Add in vanilla and milk, mix until well combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar and salt and beat until fluffy. Spread onto cinnamon rolls while they are still hot, allowing frosting to melt into the cinnamon rolls.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe – Gluten Free
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon half and half (milk can be used)
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer until creamy. Add in vanilla and milk, mix until well combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar and salt and beat until fluffy. Spread onto cinnamon rolls while they are still hot, allowing frosting to melt into the cinnamon rolls.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting Recipe
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon half and half (milk can be used)
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer until creamy. Add in vanilla and milk, mix until well combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar and salt and beat until fluffy. Spread onto cinnamon rolls while they are still hot, allowing frosting to melt into the cinnamon rolls.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
So yummy!
Looking for more cinnamon roll recipes? I’ve got quite a few for you!
Still need more? Here are more than 50 cinnamon roll recipes!
Disclosure: Cup4Cup sent me a free bag of their gluten free flour to try. No further compensation was received. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone!
Meet Christi, Love From The Oven
I’m Christi I love sharing easy & delicious recipes that your family & friends will love. I’m a mom, baker, cookbook author and lover of sprinkles.
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Where is Cinnamon roll recipe??
All that is there is frosting recipes about 3 times????
It looks like there is a glitch with the recipe card software for this recipe from back in 2014. If you use the search box, I have about a dozen other cinnamon roll recipes on the site, not sure what happened to this one.
https://www.lovefromtheoven.com/?s=cinnamon+rolls
Where do I find the recipe for the bun part? The icing recipe is showing up three times but I cannot find the bun recipe? Thanks, I am hoping to try these.
Hmm, obviously something went wrong with the recipe database on this one. Since this recipe was back in 2014, and I haven’t used gluten free flour in years, I’m afraid I am not confident advising on what that recipe was years ago. I would recommend my go to cinnamon roll recipe that has been in heavy rotation around here with readers for a while.
Made these (gluten free) this morning for Christmas! Delish! I will use less flour next time (by even a cup – I think my GF flour tends to be drying) as well as half the sugar/cinnamon mix and the sauce… I had a ton left over after using ample amounts. But they turned out super tasty!
What exactly did you put at the bottom of the dish?
Anna-Lee, as in the pan? I don’t believe there is anything other than a bit of butter or non-stick cooking spray in the bottom of the pan. After baking, the combo of the cinnamon, sugar and butter ends up covering the pan, so maybe that’s it?
Yum! Cinnamon rolls are one of my biggest weaknesses!
Can you prepare these the night before so you can just pop them in the oven in the morning??
Danielle, I haven’t tried it. I always bake mine at night, frost, cover and then enjoy in the morning. You could probably put them in the fridge, set them out in the morning to warm up, then bake.
Oh dear! Now I’m craving cinnamon rolls! And the time you give for making them is very reasonable. Pinning for a future date!
My family loves cinnamon rolls too, but it usually has a long list of ingredients and are very time consuming. This recipe is just i what I need…simple, easy and quick (in a matter of speaking). Thanks so much for the recipe. Can’t wait to try it!!
Crystal, I hope you guys enjoy it!