Close up of a pan of frosted cinnamon rolls
Dive into the world of homemade goodness with Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls, a dessert that promises to be the star of your breakfast table or afternoon treat. These aren’t just any cinnamon rolls; they are tender, flaky, buttery, and generously spiced with cinnamon, creating a comforting and utterly delicious experience. Originating from Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, this recipe is designed for sharing – though you might be tempted to keep them all to yourself!
Initially crafted to yield generous portions, the original recipe was intended for sharing with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers, producing enough cinnamon rolls to fill 7 or 8 disposable foil pans. This makes it perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or simply spreading joy.
Why Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls are a Baking Game Changer
Have you ever been let down by a cinnamon roll recipe that didn’t rise, was vaguely instructed, or ended up a baking disaster? If so, you’ll be relieved to discover that Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls are remarkably easy and forgiving. This recipe stands out as one of the most approachable yeast dough recipes for cinnamon rolls, practically guaranteeing success and a batch of irresistible, flavorful rolls every time.
The secret lies in the recipe’s foolproof nature, ensuring that each roll emerges from the oven perfectly puffed and packed with cinnamon-sugar goodness. It’s a recipe that builds baking confidence and delivers consistent, delightful results.
Refinements for the Home Baker
This updated version of Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls is tailored for the home baker. While staying true to Ree Drummond’s original masterpiece, the recipe has been thoughtfully adjusted. It now features a halved ingredient list for a more manageable batch, along with fine-tuned measurements and more detailed, step-by-step instructions. This ensures that even novice bakers can achieve cinnamon roll perfection. This recipe isn’t just a keeper; it’s one you’ll be eager to share with your baking friends, along with the delectable rolls themselves!
Close up of a pan of fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls
The Magic Behind the Flavor: What Makes Them Exceptional?
Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls are genuinely exceptional. They strike the perfect balance of being easy to make, wonderfully gooey, and deliciously messy – in the best possible way. The dough is rolled out thinly, which maximizes the surface area for a generous filling of melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. This meticulous ratio of filling to dough is what creates utter perfection in every spiral, both in taste and visual appeal.
Our resized recipe yields approximately thirty cinnamon rolls, perfectly fitting into three 9-inch pans, with 10 rolls per pan. This quantity is ideal for families or smaller gatherings while still leaving room for sharing (or indulging!).
A word of caution: these cinnamon rolls are incredibly addictive. Make sure you have people to share them with, or be prepared to savor every last crumb yourself! For gifting, consider baking them in four disposable 7-inch foil pans. Alternatively, four 8-inch cake pans or three 9-inch pans work equally well for baking at home.
A pan of cinnamon rolls being drizzled with a maple frosting
The Crown Jewel: Unique Maple Frosting
Beyond the irresistible cinnamon filling, the maple frosting truly sets Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls apart. This frosting, made with powdered sugar, maple extract, milk, butter, and a touch of strong brewed coffee, elevates the rolls to a gourmet dessert. Generously drizzled over warm rolls, it adds a layer of rich, complex flavor that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
The unexpected addition of just one tablespoon of strong brewed coffee enhances the frosting with a unique depth, blending seamlessly with the maple extract. This surprising combination creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated, making these cinnamon rolls unforgettable.
The Secret to Softness: Unique Leavening Agents
What’s truly unique in Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls is the use of not just yeast, but also baking powder and baking soda in the dough. This combination of three leavening agents is unusual in a yeast dough recipe but is key to achieving the signature soft, sweet-bread texture and yeasty flavor of authentic cinnamon rolls.
This bold approach to leavening means the rolls require only a short 30-minute rise time after being shaped into spirals. Furthermore, baking at a lower oven temperature ensures they rise fully before the tops set, resulting in incredibly soft, puffy, and flaky rolls that are never chewy – they practically melt in your mouth!
A cake pan filled with warm cinnamon rolls topped with maple frosting
Freezing and Make-Ahead Tips
Want to prepare ahead? The cinnamon roll dough can be made up to 3 days in advance. Simply keep it well-covered in the refrigerator, punching it down if needed to control its size. The short 30-minute rise time for shaped rolls makes this recipe ideal for baking fresh rolls whenever you desire.
While freezing the unbaked rolls isn’t recommended, baked, unfrosted cinnamon rolls freeze beautifully. This allows you to bake in advance and have warm, freshly frosted cinnamon rolls ready whenever you need them.
For larger gatherings, this recipe easily doubles. If doubling, use a large pot or Dutch oven for the dough to rise in the refrigerator overnight, ensuring ample space for expansion.
Enjoy the delightful experience of baking and sharing Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls – a dessert that’s sure to become a beloved tradition.
A pan of frosted cinnamon rolls
Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 day 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 30 rolls
Course: Bread, Breakfast or Brunch
Author: Tricia
Rating: 5 from 105 votes
Equipment
- Instant read thermometer
- Rolling pin
- 3 (9-inch) cake pans
Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 2 cups whole milk (16oz)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (4oz)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- 1 (.25 ounce) package Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour separated (586g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder heaping
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted for greasing pans
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (6oz)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (135g)
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the maple frosting:
- 4 ounces powdered sugar sifted (1 cup or 115g)
- ½ teaspoon maple flavoring
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
To make the dough:
- Mix milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a saucepan. Warm over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 95-100°F. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Cool if needed to maintain temperature.
- Sprinkle yeast over lukewarm milk mixture; let sit for 5-10 minutes. Add 4 cups flour, stir to combine. Cover and let rise in a warm place for one hour until bubbly and puffed.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to blend. Add to dough and mix until incorporated. Loosely cover and refrigerate overnight or up to two days, punching down if needed.
To make the cinnamon rolls:
- Grease 3 (9-inch) cake pans with melted butter.
- Flour a large work surface. Punch down dough, scrape onto surface. Roll into a thin rectangle, about 30×20 inches.
- Brush dough with 12 tablespoons melted butter, leaving a 1-inch border on one long side.
- Sprinkle with ⅔ cup sugar, then cinnamon.
- Roll dough into a tight log starting from the buttered 30-inch side. Pinch seam to seal.
- Cut into 30 (1-inch) slices using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place cut-side down in prepared pans.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Let rolls rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes until puffed. Gently press edge; if it slowly springs back, rolls are ready.
- Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Transfer to a rack to cool while making frosting.
To make the frosting:
- Combine frosting ingredients using an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and pourable.
- Generously drizzle over warm rolls. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Recipe adapted from Pioneer Woman.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat chilled rolls at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
- Unfrosted rolls can be kept at room temperature.
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Originally published January 2011, updated December 2019.
Here are more recipes you might enjoy:
Chocolate Babka
A pan of Lion House swirled rolls being brushed with melted butter
