Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

6 Servings
30 min

are a simple, delicious dessert made with just four ingredients. You can quickly make this easy recipe for dessert if you are craving a late-night snack or if you need a last-minute dessert to take to a party. Pair these light and airy cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of coffee.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls


This crescent roll cinnamon roll recipe is so much easier to make than traditional cinnamon rolls. There’s no need to proof yeasted dough and wait hours before you can bite into that soft sugary dessert. Using crescent roll dough from the grocery store means you can make this dish in under 30 minutes.

All you need to do to make these mini cinnamon rolls is roll out the crescent dough sheets, brush on softened butter, and then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll the dough into a log, slice with a sharp knife, twist the dough into a pretty design, and then bake.


How To Make Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Roll out each sheet of the crescent roll dough to make 3 larger rectangles and the perforated lines are blended back together.

Spread the softened butter onto the sheets.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and whisk with a fork to combine.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Sprinkle half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture on top of the buttered sheets.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Starting on the long end of the rectangle, roll up the dough into a log.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Cut the dough in half, giving you shorter logs.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Then cut each of those logs in half, lengthwise.

Repeat with the other two sheets. When you’re finished, you should have 12 pieces.

Take each piece and wrap it around your finger to form the shape of a muffin, with the layered side facing out.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Place each rolled piece in the greased muffin pan.

Bake for about 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Remove from the oven and immediately remove the cinnamon rolls from the pan.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Expert Tips


These tips and tricks will help you make these delicious treats.


  • Roll out the dough on a floured surface with a rolling pin dusted with flour so it won’t stick.
  • Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the softened butter over the rolled-out sheet.
  • Use the images above for the perfect example of how to twist the dough to make these beautiful rolls.


Variations


These cinnamon buns are easily adaptable and will certainly be a family favorite. Here are some ideas you can try.


  • Drizzle with a simple icing made with powdered sugar and milk.
  • Make frosting with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk.
  • If your muffin tin will fit in your air fryer, you can cook these rolls there as well as in the oven.
  • Pour a tablespoon of caramel or dulce de leche into the bottom of the muffin cups before setting the dough in. After the rolls are cooked, flip the pan over to make sticky buns.
  • Substitute the crescent dough for puff pastry dough.


How To Serve


These easy crescent roll cinnamon rolls can be eaten as a treat with breakfast, as an after-school snack, or as a light dessert after dinner.

Serve them with other desserts like crescent roll peach cobbler, no-bake red white and blue shortcakes, or cheesecake pudding pie.


How To Store


Refrigerate: Keep any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap on the counter for up to three days.

Reheat: If you want to warm up your rolls, an easy way to do this is in the microwave. Heat them for 10-15 seconds or until just warmed all the way through. It won’t take long.

Freeze: These rolls are perfect for freezing to save for later. Wrap each one individually with plastic wrap before putting them in a large freezer bag. This will help them stay fresh even longer and ward off freezer burn.

Remember to write a label and date on the bag, so you remember what you’ve saved later.

They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.


FAQs


Why are my crescent roll cinnamon rolls soggy in the middle?

If you find that the rolls are soggy in the middle after baking, this means they are undercooked. Be sure to follow the recipe directions to ensure they cook all the way through.

Is crescent roll dough the same as croissant dough?

Crescent roll dough is not the same as croissant dough. Crescent roll dough is made with less butter than croissant dough and is therefore not as flaky, This is exactly what we want to get the best results when making these easy cinnamon rolls.

What’s the best brand of crescent roll dough to buy?

You can buy whichever brand of crescent roll dough you have available at your local grocery store. However, Pillsbury is a reliable brand that produces consistent results.

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Recipe details
  • 6  Servings
  • Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 20 Minutes Total time: 30 min
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Ingredients

  • 3 (8 ounce) tubes of crescent roll dough
  • 1/2 cup butter, completely softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Roll out each sheet of the crescent roll dough to make 3 larger rectangles, and the perforated lines are blended back together.
Spread the softened butter onto the sheets.
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and whisk with a fork to combine.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture on top of the buttered sheets.
Starting on the long end of the rectangle, roll up the dough into a log.
Cut the dough in half, giving you shorter logs.
Then cut each of those logs in half, lengthwise.
Repeat with the other two sheets. When you’re finished, you should have 12 pieces.
Take each piece and wrap it around your finger to form the shape of a muffin, with the layered side facing out.
Place each rolled piece in the greased muffin pan.
Bake for about 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.
Remove from the oven and immediately remove the cinnamon rolls from the pan.
Sprinkle each cinnamon roll generously with the cinnamon/sugar mixture and place them on a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Comments
  • Evelyn Richardson Evelyn Richardson on May 19, 2023

    Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and spread on buttered dough. Chop pecans and sprinkle on cinnamon/ brown sugar. Roll up dough and cut about 1/4 inch to make a cinnamon roll. Place on cookie sheet and cook according to can of dough.

    • See 1 previous
    • Nandini Nandini on May 20, 2023

      Sprinkling pecan pieces just on top once it’s in the muffin pan will also work if you don’t like it too nutty


  • Maria Garcia Maria Garcia on May 19, 2023

    Anyway you can do a video? I’m confused about the finger wrapping! I’m sure trying is better then not and I’m sure they will turn out fine but they look beautiful as your photos.


    Maria

    • See 3 previous
    • Nandini Nandini on May 20, 2023

      It does look very pretty baked in a muffin pan. You don’t have to roll on your finger. Just roll each piece after cutting it on the board and place it in the muffin pan.

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