Who can resist the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls baking? I remember back when my friends and I would hit the mall, we would stop dead in our tracks as soon as that cinnamon sugar scent hit us near the food court- and it’s still one of my favorite smells!
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls are a super easy homemade version of the delicious treat- and the best thing is that this easy recipe can be made faster than the drive to the mall! It starts with a crescent dough sheet from the grocery store, one of my favorite recipe hacks for side dishes and desserts alike.
With just a few additional ingredients and just a few minutes, you can have your own homemade cinnamon rolls! Read on to find out how to make them, along with some suggestions for how to switch up this sweet treat to make different versions, tips for getting your best results from the frosting, and more.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the cinnamon filling?
Yes! If you want to add a little extra texture- and a little extra nutrition- to these rolls, you can add your favorite nuts or raisins to this delicious breakfast treat!
To add them to this recipe, sprinkle a handful of chopped nuts or raisins evenly over the surface of each triangle while it’s rolled out. I’d recommend gently pressing the nuts or raisins into the dough to make sure they stay put, then roll up the dough and bake as directed!
How can I make the cinnamon crescent rolls even more gooey and sticky?
While this recipe is already pretty ooey and gooey, I know that’s the best part of a traditional cinnamon roll so I get wanting more of it!
To increase the sticky in these sticky buns rolls, you can either increase the butter, add more cinnamon-sugar filling, or both!
Alternatively, an easy way to make these even more gooey would be to add caramel sauce which would change the flavor profile but would be delicious if you like caramel.
I also highly recommend eating these warm as that’s when they’re at their stickiest!
Are these any variations or flavor additions that I can try with the cinnamon crescent rolls?
Yes! Crescent roll dough is such a great kitchen shortcut because not only does it save you a lot of time, but it is such a blank slate that it lends itself well to all kinds of recipes. I’ve included a large variety of crescent roll recipes below, but here are some alterations you can make to THIS recipe:
- Add a swirl of Nutella
- Switch it up with some brown sugar in the cinnamon sugar filling
- Add cream cheese to the filling
- Add a bit of orange zest
- Drizzle the finished rolls with caramel sauce
- Add mini chocolate chips to the filling
- Add nuts or raisins {see above!}
- Add a sweet vanilla glaze
Play around with different combinations of ingredients or make different varieties for the whole family- the recipe is so easy, it barely takes any effort to make more than one version!
How can I prevent the cinnamon filling from leaking out of the rolls during baking?
The cinnamon filling might come out a little bit, and that’s not a bad thing- it just makes the outside of the rolls even more flavorful! That said, you don’t want ALL of the flavor to come out!
To prevent the filling from leaking too much, be sure to seal the edges of the rolls, roll them up tightly, avoid overfilling them, and bake them with the sealed edge facing down on the baking sheet to prevent it from unrolling.
Can I make cinnamon crescent rolls in a different shape, such as twists or knots?
Sure! Here’s how:
Twists: Take a dough triangle and hold each end, then gently twist it a few times. Form a twisted spiral shape and place it on the baking sheet.
Knots: Start with a dough triangle and roll it up as usual. Then, take the rolled dough and tie it into a knot, leaving the ends sticking out. Place the knot on the baking sheet, and make sure the ends are tucked underneath to secure them.
If you’re trying one of these alternative shapes, you’ll need to keep a closer eye on them in the oven as baking times may vary! You’ll want to pull them out when they are golden brown and baked through.
Can I substitute cream cheese icing with a different glaze or frosting?
Yes! You can make a vanilla glaze using powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract; use a maple glaze made of powdered sugar, maple syrup and just a splash of milk; a chocolate ganache made of melted chocolate mixed with some heavy cream; or just drizzle your favorite syrup over the top of them!
Can I freeze cinnamon crescent rolls?
So I will start by saying that these are BEST right from the oven- but if you have leftovers, you can definitely freeze them. Once cooled, individually wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap. Place leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container where you can keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to make them, thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours in their sealed container until they are completely thawed. Follow the original baking instructions to reheat them until heated through and enjoy warm!
What Supplies Do You Need to Make Cinnamon Crescent Rolls?
To make these cinnamon rolls, you’ll need:
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- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Microwave safe bowl
- Recommended: Basting brush
- Optional: Piping bag
Step by Step Guide
Ready to bake? Grab the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and come back here to get started!
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. {This is a great way to keep the crescent rolls from sticking to the baking sheet- AND it’s a great way to avoid having to clean the baking pan!}
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt two tablespoons of butter. Set the rest of the butter aside for later.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. Spread half a tablespoon of butter evenly over the top of each triangle.
In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and sugar until well combined. Sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough triangles, using the back of a spoon to spread the cinnamon sugar evenly.
Roll up the dough, starting from the wider end of the triangle. Place the crescent rolls on the prepared cookie sheet.
Melt the rest of the butter that you put aside earlier, and brush the top of each roll with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the rolls.
Bake the cinnamon roll crescents in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until they turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them to be sure not to overbake them!
While the rolls are still warm, pipe the cream cheese glaze over the top of each roll.
Hungry for More?
Want more delicious crescent rolls recipes? Try these:
- S’mores Crescent Rolls
- Taco Crescent Rolls
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls Recipe {Using Crescent Rolls}
- Pesto Chicken Crescent Ring
- Peach Cobbler Casserole {Made with Crescent Rolls}
- Homemade Soft Pretzels {Made with Crescent Rolls}
- Taco Pinwheels
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls
Indulge in warm, gooey cinnamon roll crescents. This quick and easy recipe combines the convenience of crescent roll dough with the classic taste of cinnamon and sugar!
Ingredients
- 1 package crescent roll dough
- 6 tablespoons softened butter, divided
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup cream cheese icing
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. {This is a great way to keep the crescent rolls from sticking to the baking sheet- AND it's a great way to avoid having to clean the baking pan!}
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt two tablespoons of butter. Set the rest of the butter aside for later.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. Spread half a tablespoon of butter evenly over the top of each triangle.
In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and sugar until well combined. Sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough triangles, using the back of a spoon to spread the cinnamon sugar evenly.
Roll up the dough, starting from the wider end of the triangle. Place the crescent rolls on the prepared cookie sheet.
Melt the rest of the butter that you put aside earlier, and brush the top of each roll with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the rolls.
Bake the cinnamon roll crescents in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until they turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them to be sure not to overbake them!
While the rolls are still warm, pipe the cream cheese glaze over the top of each roll. Enjoy!
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