Picture this — it’s a lazy weekend morning, and the smell of warm cinnamon and sugar fills your kitchen. But here’s the twist: you didn’t start baking at dawn. You whipped up these soft, gooey One Hour Cinnamon Rolls in the same time it takes for a Netflix episode. Sounds like magic, right?

This recipe was born out of my personal frustration with traditional cinnamon rolls. Hours of proofing, waiting, and honestly, the temptation to buy store-bought ones. But I wanted real homemade cinnamon rolls, soft and pillowy, without turning baking into a day-long project. That’s where these One Hour Cinnamon Rolls save the day!

The moment you bite into one, you’ll meet a swirl of buttery cinnamon goodness tucked inside a fluffy roll, all drizzled with rich, creamy frosting. Whether it’s for a quick weekend breakfast, a last-minute brunch treat, or an afternoon coffee companion, these cinnamon rolls hit the spot.

And don’t worry — even if you’re not a pro baker, this recipe is simple, quick, and foolproof. No fancy mixers, no long rises, just pure cinnamon-sugar bliss in under 60 minutes. Let’s roll!

What Makes This One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Special?

Ready in Just 60 Minutes — No hours of rising or waiting. From mixing to baking, all done in an hour.
Soft, Fluffy, Bakery-Style Texture — The dough turns out unbelievably light, even without long proofing.
Simple Pantry Ingredients — No hard-to-find items, just basic staples you likely already have.
Perfectly Sweet Cinnamon Swirl — Balanced sweetness and warm spice make every bite irresistible.
Customizable Frosting Options — Classic cream cheese, vanilla glaze, or even maple icing — your pick!

If you’ve ever avoided making cinnamon rolls because of time, this recipe will win you over. My biggest time-saving tip? Warm milk and fast-acting yeast jumpstart the dough rise, trimming hours off the process while keeping that bakery-worthy fluff.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why it matters!

All-Purpose Flour
Provides the structure. You can substitute half for bread flour for a chewier roll.
Fast-Acting (Instant) Yeast
The secret to speed! Instant yeast cuts the rise time and ensures your rolls are light and fluffy.
Warm Milk (110°F)
Gives moisture and helps the yeast activate quickly. You can swap for almond or oat milk, but dairy gives the richest flavor.
Granulated Sugar
Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough just right.
Salt
Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Butter (Melted)
For that rich, tender crumb. Use salted or unsalted — just adjust the added salt slightly.
Brown Sugar and Ground Cinnamon
Classic filling combo! Brown sugar adds depth and caramel notes, while cinnamon brings the warm spice.
Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract (for Frosting)
Cream cheese frosting is the ultimate finishing touch. Swap cream cheese for just powdered sugar and milk if you prefer a lighter glaze.

How To Make One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Warm the Milk and Activate the Yeast
Heat 1 cup of milk to around 110°F — warm but not hot (think baby bath water). Stir in 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast and let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add 1 egg, ¼ cup melted butter, and the milk-yeast mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Knead and Rest
Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic (add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky). Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, mix ⅔ cup brown sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
Roll Out the Dough
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 12×16 inches.
Spread the Filling
Brush the dough with ⅓ cup melted butter, sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mix.
Roll and Slice
Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 even rolls.
Arrange in Baking Dish
Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
Bake
Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Make the Frosting
While rolls cool slightly, beat 4 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
Frost and Serve
Spread the frosting over warm rolls and enjoy!

Storage Options

Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap brown sugar and cinnamon for a chocolate-hazelnut spread.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.
Use vegan butter and plant-based milk for a dairy-free version.
Swap the frosting for maple glaze or caramel drizzle.
Turn them into mini rolls for bite-sized party treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, just bloom it in warm milk with sugar for about 10 minutes until frothy.
Why didn’t my rolls rise enough?
Your milk may have been too hot or the yeast expired. Make sure the temperature stays around 110°F.
Can I prepare them the night before?
Yes! Shape the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze baked cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely. Let them cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Frost after reheating for best results.
How do I make the rolls extra gooey?
Add an extra tablespoon of butter to the filling and bake them a couple of minutes less for softer centers.

Conclusion

There’s something so comforting about homemade cinnamon rolls, and with this One Hour Cinnamon Rolls recipe, you won’t need to wait all day to enjoy them! These rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with cinnamon sweetness — perfect for any breakfast table or cozy snack moment.

Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your photos and feedback! Your kitchen deserves that warm, buttery cinnamon scent — and trust me, your family will be asking for more.

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet, and Ready in 60 Minutes!

Author: Sofia
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls 1x

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
1 cup warm milk (110°F)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¼ cup melted butter
½ tsp salt

Filling:

⅔ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
⅓ cup melted butter

Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Warm milk, add yeast, let sit until foamy.
Mix flour, sugar, salt, butter, egg, and milk mixture into dough.
Knead, let rest 10 minutes.
Roll dough, spread butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar.
Roll, slice, arrange in a pan.
Let rise 20 minutes.
Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes.
Mix frosting, spread over warm rolls.

Nutrition

Calories: 290
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 5g