Make easy homemade cinnamon rolls without yeast! Done in a fraction of the time with no flavor lost. No rising or waiting required for this sweet breakfast treat! You'll have no need to return to the yeast version again.
Why I Love This Recipe
Who doesn't love a good cinnamon roll? They are the best thing ever. What isn't the best thing ever is having to wait for them to rise, sit, do their thing and then bake! I don't enjoy this part, which is why I deem it completely unnecessary.
Here are a few things I love about this easy cinnamon roll recipe:
- These are quick cinnamon rolls, done in 45 minutes from start to finish. It's a miracle!
- These totally delicious cinnamon rolls are great as-is, but they also act as the perfect canvas for adding other ingredients! Scroll down for some delicious ideas.
- All of the ingredients are likely in your kitchen right now. No grocery store runs needed for this yeastless cinnamon roll recipe.
- No yeast, no rising, no waiting required. Also, no getting up at 3am to make sure they are done in time for breakfast.
- Breakfast, yes. Dessert, yes. Saturday morning, yes. Any day of the week, yes.
Recipe Ingredients
Brown sugar - Use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for this recipe.
Granulated sugar - Add even more sweetness to the rolls by doubling the amount of sugar used in the filling.
Cinnamon - Add a depth of flavor by including 1/2 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and ground allspice.
Salt - Any variety of salt works great, such as sea salt, table salt or kosher salt.
Butter - I love the burst of salt when using salted butter in this recipe. Unsalted tastes wonderful, too!
Flour - To make this a gluten free recipe, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or your favorite GF flour.
Leavening agents - Baking powder and baking soda work their magic as the leavening agents in this recipe. Make sure both are stored properly and fresh for best results.
Buttermilk - If you do not have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make it yourself and with only 2 ingredients. You'll need milk and lemon juice (or vinegar).
Any of variety of milk can be used to make it, such as whole milk, 1%, 2% or skim.
Icing - Powdered sugar and milk make the perfect simple glaze to drizzle over the top of the rolls, but feel free to top these rolls with cream cheese frosting instead. (This is the best frosting to slather over any baked good!)
Prep This No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Ahead of Time
- Assemble the cinnamon rolls up to the point of arranging them in the cake pan.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking and bake as directed!
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Without Yeast
Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Prepare Filling
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter. Mix well.
Prepare Dough
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add to the flour mixture and stir until liquid is just incorporated.
Assemble Rolls
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until just smooth and soft. Roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle.
Brush surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons of butter.
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled dough, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Starting at a long side, roll dough to form a log.
With the seam facing down, cut the log into eight equal pieces. Place one roll in the center of the prepared pan and situate the seven remaining rolls around it in a circle. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons of butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 27 minutes, or until golden brown. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze.
Prepare Glaze
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk. Stir or whisk until a smooth glaze forms.
Glaze and Serve
Use a sharp knife to loosen the rolls from the outer edge of the pan. Place a plate on top of the pan and invert rolls onto the plate. Place a serving plate on the bottom sides of the rolls and flip them onto the serving plate.
Drizzle glaze evenly over the top of the warm rolls and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- A square baking dish can be used in place of a round cake pan.
- Add a layer of raisins or another dried fruit over top of the butter brown sugar and cinnamon mixture before rolling.
- Vanilla extract or almond extract will add a yummy flavor boost!
- Double the cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra sweet end result.
Cinnamon Roll Flavors
- Add fresh peaches or pears to the dough before rolling.
- Cherry pie filling, blueberry pie filling or apple pie filling make great twists on cinnamon rolls.
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts!
- Drizzle maple syrup over the filling before rolling and top with brown sugar maple frosting.
How To Make Buttermilk With Lemon Juice
Combine 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 1 cup of milk (at room temperature, preferably) in a small bowl. Mix well and let sit for 5-10 minutes, or until mixture begins to curdle.
What Does Buttermilk Do In Baking
The acidity of buttermilk provides a tangy flavor that offsets the sweetness found in baked goods perfectly. In addition, buttermilk helps to activate leavening agents, allowing baked goods to rise.
When buttermilk is used to make yeast free cinnamon rolls, it produces a nice fluffy roll in much less time.
How To Store Leftover Cinnamon Rolls
Store cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days for best results.
How To Freeze Cinnamon Rolls
Wrap cinnamon rolls tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place into a heavy duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for best results.
What To Serve With Cinnamon Rolls
Serve cinnamon rolls with any of the following for the perfect complete breakfast, lunch or dinner:
- Sausage or bacon
- Hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes
- Coffee or orange juice
- Fresh fruit or berries
Sweet Breakfast Ideas
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Without Yeast
Ingredients
Filling
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter melted
Dough
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 6 tbsp butter melted, divided
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Prepare Filling
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter. Mix well.
Prepare Dough
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add to the flour mixture and stir until liquid is just incorporated.
Assemble Rolls
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until just smooth and soft. Roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Brush surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons butter.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Starting at a long edge, roll dough to form a log.
- With the seam facing down, cut the log into eight equal pieces. Place one roll in the center of the prepared pan and situate the seven remaining rolls around it in a circle. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 27 minutes, or until golden brown. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze.
Prepare Glaze
- In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk. Stir or whisk until a smooth glaze forms.
Glaze and Serve
- Use a knife to loosen the rolls from the outer edge of the pan. Place a plate on top of the pan and invert rolls onto the plate. Place a serving plate on the bottom sides of the rolls and flip them onto the serving plate. Drizzle glaze evenly over rolls and serve immediately.
Esme Slabbert
Amazing looking treat for sure and would love some now, although with my afternoon coffee.