These Crescent Cinnamon Rolls are so simple to make and are an easy breakfast treat! Top them with a bit of Texas Roadhouse Butter, heavenly! They are delicious treats for weekend mornings or holiday breakfasts when you want something special but don't have a lot of time.
Be sure to try this recipe for Yeast Rolls - so soft and delicious!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Using pre-made crescent roll dough makes these a 30-minute wonder! They are delicious and easy. Perfect for Christmas morning or a brunch buffet, and great with a cup of coffee when an unexpected guest stops by!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
Instructions to make crescent cinnamon rolls
This is an overview of the instructions for the fresh cinnamon rolls. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat the oven. Prepare the baking dish, set aside.
- Melt the butter. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon, set aside.
- Unroll the flaky crescent roll dough and brush the surface with melted butter, sprinkle with half the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Roll up cigar style. Pinch the edge of the roll to seal.
- Slice each roll into 6 even slices.
- Place the rolls cut side down in the pan and bake as directed.
- Mix together the icing ingredients. Drizzle with the sugary glaze while they are still hot. Spread the glaze evenly. (Everyone wants some of that lick-your-fingers-good sweet topping!)
Equipment
- 13x9 baking dish
- small bowl
- pastry brush
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FAQ's
The center of a cinnamon roll is often referred to as the cinnamon buns. This is because the center is typically filled with a sweet, sticky, and fragrant mixture of cinnamon and sugar - YUM!
The main difference between a sticky bun and a cinnamon roll is the filling. A sticky bun is typically filled with a sticky, sweet, and often pecan or caramel-flavored filling. A cinnamon roll is filled with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Cinnamon rolls can be either breakfast or dessert, depending on how they are served. If they are served with a cup of coffee, then they are typically considered breakfast. However, if they are served with a scoop of ice cream, then they are considered dessert.
No, cinnamon rolls and honey buns are not the same things. Although they are both sweet and often filled with a sticky filling, honey buns are typically made with yeasted dough while cinnamon rolls are made with a rich, buttery dough.
Top Tip
Look for sheet crescent roll dough. If you can't find that, use two cans of crescent rolls dough - just pinch the seams together.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper instead of using the cooking spray for easy clean up.
- If you want your rolls to be extra soft, brush the tops with melted butter after they come out of the oven.
- Use a spoon to drizzle the icing over the warm rolls for an even layer of icing.
Variations
- Instead of using the cinnamon-sugar mixture, try using a pecan or almond filling or add some chocolate chips or raisins to the center of the rolls for a different flavor.
- Smear some orange marmalade, strawberry jam or Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter in the center before you roll them up!
- Or, try a chocolate hazelnut spread in the center for a Nutella-filled treat!
- Instead of the simple icing, you could top these delicious cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese frosting if you prefer.
- Add a squeeze of orange juice and some orange zest to your icing for a sweet citrus flavor.
Storage
Refrigerate - cool to room temperature. These will last for 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freezer - you can freeze these cinnamon rolls by individually wrapping them in plastic wrap and then placing them all in a freezer-safe bag. They will stay fresh for 2-3 months.
Reheat - to reheat, place the cinnamon roll on a plate and microwave for 15-20 seconds until warmed through. You could also reheat it in a 350-degree oven for 5-7 minutes.
Related recipes
If you're starting with frozen bread dough instead of crescent rolls, don't miss my easy cinnamon rolls using frozen dough—they're just as irresistible with that same gooey, bakery-style vibe.
- If you are a fan of traditional cinnamon rolls, then give this Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls a try, your whole family will love this easy recipe.
- Do you love cinnamon? If so, you are going to want to make this Apple Spice Bundt Cake recipe next time.
- Greek Yogurt with Granola makes a great breakfast or an after school snack.
- This Cracker Barrel Fried Apple recipe is a great recipe to make when you want something easy to make sweet treat.
Don't you just love how easy these are to make? Perfect when you need a little something sweet or an easy treat. Leave a note below and let me know your thoughts!
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 packages sheet crescent roll dough
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup butter melted
- cream or milk if needed to create the right consistency
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Melt the butter and set aside.
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
- Unroll the dough gently - try not to pull it out of shape.
- Brush the surface with 2 tablespoons melted butter then sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Begin rolling from the shorter edge of the rectangle.
- Pinch the edge to the roll to seal.
- Cut in 6 even slices... ( I got seven ... I'm not great at eyeballing it. Repeat with other tube of crescent roll dough.
- Spray a 13x9-inch pan with no-stick cooking spray and add a little butter.
- Place the rolls cut side down in the pan and bake at 375F for 12-15 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and add the icing while they are hot.
- Icing
- Add the butter to the powdered sugar.
- Mix well until it is a very thick paste.
- Add a little milk or cream if it's too thick.
- Place a spoonful on the top of each cinnamon roll while they are hot.
Lois says
This is a wonderful way to start your day off with. And so easy and it sure makes the house smell so good. There is nothing better than the smell of bread in the oven.