Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Just the thought of cinnamon rolls-  warm, gooey, soft, sweet- makes me literally swoon.  I love them.  If I were a baking superhero (I’m working on it) my weakness would be cinnamon rolls.

As much as I love the little devils (and I hate to say this) I hate to bake them.  The problem is not the sweet yeast dough or the rolling or the slicing.  I simply have no patience for the waiting that is required of me during the proofing, rolling, slicing and proofing again process.  I realize this is totally unreasonable, but it’s just the truth.

Nicole at Baking Bites seems the understand my need for instant, yet stubbornly homemade cinnamon roll goodness.

I’d like to introduce you to Cinnamon Roll Muffins-  add the yeast, subtract the long rising.

Imagine my glee when I had cinnamon roll-esque goodness coming out of my oven in well under an hour.  These muffins rise for a short 15 minutes in the bowl and then are placed into a cold oven to cook as the oven preheats to 350 degrees.  After 20 minutes in the oven, they’re risen and golden and bubbling with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Baking Bites

Print this Recipe!

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg

Filling/Topping

2 tbsp butter, room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground cardamom

Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Dissolve the yeast in a measuring cup filled with the warmed milk, then stir milk mixture, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.
While the dough rests, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly.  Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)
Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until bread is lightly browned at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before whisking the powdered sugar and milk together to form an icing and drizzling it onto the bread.
Serve warm. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.

All Comments

I Made This

Questions

203 Responses

  1. This is a silly question, but the recipe calls for 4 teaspoons of yeast and I only have packages. How many packages of yeast should I use? Thanks!

  2. HEADS UP!
    Make sure you bake the muffins for 20 min AFTER the oven has reached 350. So let them rest in there and thhheeennnn start your timer once the oven has reached 350. I was confused and did not and just threw away all of the muffins . . . sad day

  3. does the batter go straight into the muffin tin and then rise there? and does it bake for 20 minutes total or 20 from the time the oven reaches 350?

  4. Just finished Sunday brunch. I modified these to make them Dairy Free and they were the BOMB!! Such an awesome recipe! Thanks Joy!

  5. These were very good. I doubled the recipe, so I could put some in the freezer. I thought the topping could be reduced by 1/2, but add more cinnamon. I didn’t put icing on. They were good without it & sweet enough. I bake bread & dinner rolls. For those who don’t, the dough recipe alone might make good dinner rolls. Next time, I’m going to use brown sugar & more butter in the topping & see if they come out like sticky muffins. I also mixed everything up in my food processor, so they were quick & easy. Mine took 30 min. to bake. This will be one of my go to recipes when we have company.

    Thanks, Joy. There are lots of your recipes I want to try.

  6. I made these tonight. I haven’t tried them yet but wanted to mention that I only got 10 pretty small muffins. They smell good and I look forward to trying them. I’ll just have to double the batch next time!

  7. I made these today, on a cool summer day after a long spell of HOT HOT weather. I was craving some cinnamon-y goodness. The recipe was simple but these turned out rather dense and gummy, like a chewy coffee cake or bread pudding consistency. Is that what we’re aiming for, with this one? Mine look like yours do. I’m not new to the kitchen at all but that doesn’t seem like the right texture, to me. Did I mess it up?

  8. Hi Joy. I really love your sight. I want to make these but have a question. Does the dough rest in a seperate pan or in the muffin tins? Thanks so much!

  9. Four teaspoons of yeast to 1 11/2 cups of flour does sound like rather a lot but I am going to try these today anyway. Wish me luck! :)

    1. That’s what I said to myself – but went ahead and made it as per the instructions anyways… I should have decreased it.

  10. Hey! You maybe won’t get this in time for me to know the answer… But would it be bad to double this recipe and bake it in two batches? I am thinking that might now work as well with the oven already warm… Hmm maybe I can squish them all into the oven at the same time…

  11. Hi, I have just found your site and love this recipe along with a few others I am going to try ASAP.
    Do you think it would be possible to omit the egg and milk? I so what could I use to replace…oil? My toddler has a suspected daily intolerance but would love these.
    Thanks!

  12. Just took a batch of these out of the oven and oh WOW! does my flat smell yummy! I dont even care if they dont taste good the smell is divine!
    But fingers crossed my bread tastes like bread (I have extreme issues with Yeast breads… as in every one Ive tried to make has failed, I blame the cold here in Scotland! ) since I have a certain boy coming round to watch a film tonight…
    What? Im totally not trying to seduce a boy with cinnamon roll muffins *cough* I totally am *cough*

    P.S
    Joy you were totally right about boys loving warm choc chip cookies! :P

  13. At 8.5 months pregnant, I have to say that these filled two of my food requirements: they tasted like cinnamon rolls and they were almost instant gratification. Not to mention that they were delicious!
    The baby and I thank you!

  14. This has truly made my life a better one. I too can not wait for all of that rising etc etc etc for cinnamon rolls because the smell grabs me by the nose and yanks me around the whole time! Thank you!!!

  15. I noticed one comment mentioned the taste of yeast. Have you noticed that yourself? Looking at the picture of the finished muffins, the crumb doesn’t look like it has the texture of a yeasted bread, but rather of a cake batter using baking powder. Does it taste like a yeast bread or more like a standard muffin? If it does taste like a muffin, do you think 2 teaspoons of baking powder would substitute? I don’t have a problem using yeast, but I don’t think I’d like to taste the yeast, which maybe is happening because of the low rising time. Thank’s! Regardless, I hope to make these tomorrow for my grandson’s birthday party.

  16. I made these this week and they were fantastic! I layered the cinnamon sugar with the dough/batter–yum!

  17. Hi!! I found your blog the other day and loved it!
    I tried them today and they are delicious! and super easy..i used a little bit more cinnamon and we dont have cardamon here so used a pinch of nutmeg! Amazingly yummy!!
    Thanks for posting aall your recipes.. will keep following you and try them myself!
    You have a fan down here in Costa Rica!! :)

  18. I just made these delicious cinnamon rolls, and was wondering if the brown sugar and cinnamon was supposed to bubble and spill over onto the oven. It caused a lot of smoke, is there a way to avoid this?

  19. I just read this, printed it, and now my daughter is in the kitchen mixing them up! What a great recipe. I can’t wait to taste them. Our guitar teacher will be pleased when he arrives. They should just be warm from the oven about the time he gets here! Thanks!

  20. I never cook and I just tried making them! first time baker and they were so easy and SO Yummy!!! Thanks for the recipe!!

  21. I just made these but instead substituted whole wheat flour and they turned out nicely. I only needed half the amount of topping called for but still found them very cinnamon-y and sweet :)

  22. I am making these right now and put two packages of yeast in my milk….measured out 4 tsp. However, the yeast isn’t disolving in my milk like it does with water. Should I start over? or is it supposed to be that way? Help!

    1. it’s not dissolving? it should.. work it with a spoon? if it’s still foaming up a bit.. .your yeast is alive and you’re good. if there are no bubbles you might have dead yeast on your hands, and you’ll have to start over.

  23. I read this recipe while I was at work…and then made them an hour later when I walked in the door. Cinnamon rolls in less than an hour? Pretty dangerous for me, but my kids were happy!

  24. Ahhahahaha….I forgot to set the timer, so now I have to guess, and to add to that, the brown sugar is oozing and smoking all over the oven. Heeheeheeheehee. Ohhhh…..if only I had a blog.

  25. Wow these were good. As soon as I took these out of the oven my kids were hovering waiting to try them. These were devoured in record time. Thanks so much.
    Cilantro

  26. YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM! These were scrumptious and easy (truth in advertising)! A group of us made them for a class project to show what we had learned about baking, and everyone loved them! We got an A, of course. Thanks Joy!

  27. I just read this after having already eaten lunch. I started to salivate just reading the preceding description… I will have to try this recipe! (If I use it and write about it I will, of course, give you credit – but I’m generally too lazy/forgetful to write about things I bake)

  28. Holy Schmoly these are soooo goood. Am typing with oily fingers and have just downed two of these. Gotta stop myself from reaching for more. For those who had the problem of brown sugar falling off, I think the idea is to get the sugary bits INTO the dough, so you have to poke em in, and leave only just a bit at the top.

    I’ve not put any icing on them yet, they’re already so good, I’m wondering if I should “tamper” with them. How do you get the icing on to look so pretty Joy? I’m just worried I’ll make a big mess.

  29. I just made these, only to realize I didn’t have any confectioner’s sugar…at 11pm. Fortunately they are still very good minus the icing! :)

    1. if u dont have confectioners sugar you can blend regular white sugar for a few seconds and vwala, u have confectioners sugar. I had to do this once when I didn’t have enough confectioners sugar… hope this helps

  30. Hi! I made these this weekend – what a hit! I loved them and they tasted great. But I noticed the faint smell/taste of yeast… is there any way that this recipe could still come out as good without as much yeast?

  31. I made these muffins, and they looked and smelled great. However, when I tasted them, they tasted like yeast a lot. I am not sure what I did wrong, but I will try again and see what happens.

  32. I just whipped up some of these delectable little muffins, but alas, I too found that mine did not rise. Not sure what I did wrong, except that maybe my milk was not at the right temperature to activate the yeast??? I am soooo disappointed as they looked so good.

  33. Is it OK if I only use 7 grams of dry yeast for the recipe? Or will they not rise? the yeast I bought in packets of 7 grams and I only have one left ….

  34. I made these this morning and they were delicious. It’s hard not to eat all of them, by myself, in one sitting. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Maybe next weekend I’ll try the cream cheese cinnamon rolls. Yummers!

  35. Oh this website looks just amazing and I love the recipes, however after reading several of the comments it looks like the recipes do not always turn out. Seem many readers have great difficulties. There is nothing worse than baking and having it NOT turn out…I have to say that I do not want to risk it…thank-you though for your obvious effort.

  36. I believe heaven was coming down to earth when I saw the picture of your muffins! I love cinnamon, I love little cakes–it’s just perfect!

  37. I made these for a Labor Day this year & they loved this recipe. The muffins were not very big, the perfect bite with a lot of good flavor. It was easy to make so thank you very much. Loved it!

  38. hi joy
    these are ultra yum… i also have to say though that mine were a lot doughier than yours look, they tasted more like donuts. any tips on how to make them fluffier? leave them to rise for longer?
    thanks for all the delicious recipes

  39. Hi Joy! LOVE your blog! I was in charge of baking for my work’s monthly birthday celebrations this month so I made these and some chocolate ones for today. I got RAVE reviews!! I made about 3 dozen of them and about 2 dozen of the chocolate and these went faster than the chocolate! Seriously, it’s 30 minutes past since we started and there’s maybe a dozen left. My boyfriend was my taste tester last night and he ate one… then opened his mouth and asked for more. Good stuff! Thank you soooo much!!!!

  40. I loved the idea of these but when I made them they came out really dense and a little chewy. Do you know why that would happen? Thanks!

    1. I just made these too and they didn’t raise. I’m not sure what I did wrong, but I’m not giving up! I love love love cinnamon rolls and the idea of these are wonderful, I’m going to keep trying till mine look like Joy’s!!!

  41. These are quite possibly THE BEST muffins I have ever made/had! I just sat there at the kitchen counter chewing and thinking oh my GOD. I must make more.

  42. I’m making these in the morning, so I’m probably posting this question too late. But does anybody know if these would work okay as mini muffins? Anybody? :)

  43. I think these might just be the best muffins I’ve *ever* made. They actually stunned my boyfriend into silence when he was eating them. They’re seriously amazing! Will definitely make them again as the only thing better than how they taste is how easy they are…

  44. They look absolulely delicious Joy! I attempted to make a batch of these but they don’t look like yours…I think I used too small muffin tins as mine came out the oven perfectly rounded…as any good muffin should, alas they were meant 2 be flat like yours, they still tasted lovely tho…I think there is a little difference in the measurements & weights when it comes to our different baking/cooking systems as in US you still use ounces where in Australia we use grams. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out with more practise! ;)

  45. I just made these today for the hub for Father’s Day and they are fantastic! I love that sweet yeast bread flavor with so little time. I just found this blog about a week ago and this is my first of your recipes that I’ve tried. I really look forward to trying more. :)

  46. Made these and they turned out wonderful! They were everything I expected and more. I love a high content of yeast in my breads so it was right on point. I only filled the tins 1/2 way and they came out exactly like your pictures. Thanks for this recipe! It is definately a keeper.

  47. Hi Mama K and April- I’m so sorry that these muffins didn’t work out for you! That’s a total bummer. Give the recipe a try in a baking pan… I certainly hope you have better luck!

  48. @Mama K I had the same experience! These were a bust. I’m not sure what I did wrong but they tasted very yeasty when baked. And not at all golden and delicious. Grar! I had such high hopes. Maybe I’ll try once more.

  49. I don’t know what I did wrong, but my muffins rose over the top of the pan and most of the sugar topping melted all over the muffin tin. I thought I pressed the topping in, but apparently not well enough.
    This was a big flop for me.
    Maybe I’ll try just baking it in a pan like the original recipe called for.

  50. Just a quick note as I am on my way to the kitchen to make this recipe! Its that darn icing that gets me. As to the cinnamon and vanilla extract; I use an online Juliet Mae Spices. They have a bunch of different cinnamon’s that they grind. Also, they have great value vanilla beans. So now I make my own vanilla extract at home! Try it it makes the great greater.

  51. Pingback: Gdzie zagl?dam o 2:00 w nocy « Malgorzata Minta’s Blog PL
  52. Oh YUM. I have some in the oven right this second. I’ve just found your blog, and as soon as my muffins are out of the oven, I have to go to the shop to get some peanut butter for the flourless p/b cookies…. *drool*

  53. Pingback: Cinnamon Bun Muffins « Food World
  54. Pingback: Don’t Touch My Buns! « Another One Bites The Crust
  55. Ohgosh I tried making these today. One suggestion I’d give is to specify how much you filled your muffin pan. I had no idea how high to fill them so I just kind of guessed and they ended up overflowing. Woops! I’ll have to try these again.

  56. Just made these. YUM!!! I’m not a huge fan of the icing, so I just left that part off. Still super delish!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

  57. I made these for a brunch I hosted this weekend – they were fantastic! My only issue was that the yeast turned into a big lump when I mixed it with the milk (maybe because I used whole?). Luckily I had extra and re-did it with water. They turned out great. I have been obsessed with cinnamon rolls lately and will definitely be making these on a regular basis – they are soo much easier! Thank you!

  58. okay, tried these in a loaf pan as bread instead of buns.
    in the oven for 1 hour, YUM.
    everything is perfect, what an quick cheat for real yeast cake! minus the time and trouble :)

  59. These fantastic Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins are in my stove right now!!!!! I really adore your blog, it’s always hard for me living in France to make my favorit american cookies, cupcakes etc…. because all the recipe I find includes shortening and I don’t like shortening ( and it’s nearly impossible to find any here!!!) So I want to say THANK YOU!!!!! for giving us such good recipes, and for being so much fun reading, you lighten up my kitchen!!

  60. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am going to make them tomorrow morning for breakfast. And btw, your pictures look beautiful and clear

  61. Wow those look amazing!
    I tried recreating it but it did not work. My muffins were not muffin-y… =(
    I’m pretty sure I just didn’t follow the directions correctly.
    The
    “Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes…. Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)”
    Is a bit confusing to me… What prepared pan? I have batter AND dough? I am so confused!
    My mom tried helping me, but I’m a lost cause… Help, please?
    =D

    1. This was confusing for me also, but after thinking it through, I came up with doing it this way…
      For the muffins, you can leave the dough in the bowl you mixed it in to rise for 15 minutes.
      After the 15 minutes, you divide the batter into the muffin cups, and then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture on top and press down into each muffin. Hope this helps.

  62. I’m going to try these tonight, but could I make it into a cake, rather than muffins? in an english cake pan and leave it in a bit longer? yum…

  63. Is there any way to make these yeast-free? My hubby’s allergic, and never gets cinnamon rolls! I know if I could surprise him with something similar he would flip!

  64. Me again…..Oh, by the way, my husband and son say these things are the most wonderful muffins. And request that I make a double batch the next time I make them. I can hear them in the kitchen now teasing each other about having another one. Very good!

  65. I made these today. Are you supposed to let the dough rest in the muffin tins, or in the bowl after mixing?

    They turned out very small and I wondered if I didn’t let them rise long enough. They are delicious tho! Also, the bits of cinnamon mix went all over the pan and did not stay on the rolls. I pushed it back on the rolls after it cooled out of the oven but then they just fell off when I took them out of the pan to frost them. I just drizzeled the frosting over the pieces of cinnamon I had put back on the rolls.

  66. These are perfect for me too, as I also loooove cinnamon rolls, but rarely find the time (or patience) to make them they way they should. thanks for this!

  67. I whipped some of these up this morning for breakfast and I have to say I have never seen my daughter that excited about food before….

  68. Pingback: Link Love :: the I Love Color edition | simple mom
  69. Pingback: Sourdough Pancake Recipe | Joy The Baker
  70. Are you supposed to let the dough rest in the muffin tins, or in the bowl after mixing? Thanks for the recipe, what a fantastic way to start off cool fall mornings!

  71. Just made them a short while ago Joy…delicious in everyway. Loved the texture too. For some reason I got just 10 out of the batter. Should I have let the dough rise more?

  72. I’ve never made cinnamon rolls before and never would have known it was one of those hours-long-yeast-and-proof endeavors….that would be beyond torturous. I’m also glad to now know that there’s a solution…now if only I had the foresight to have these ready for breakfast tomorrow morning. They look awesome!

  73. What a yummy concept, perfect for someone like me who doesn’t have the patience to always wait for the cinnamon rolls to rise. The muffins are so cute!

  74. Joy – I love your blog – you make such amazing recipes…tried a few of them so far with great results – thanks! A question for you – I’m having to stick to a dairy free diet (my 4 month old just can’t handle milk protein) so I’m having to play with recipes….do you think this recipe could be made with RiceMilk and dairy-free margarine?? (I know it doesn’t sound nearly as delicious, but what can a girl do…saw the pics of the cinnamon muffins and about fainted! LOL)

  75. Oh my gosh! Joy! These look incredible! I’m probably one of the few people that actually get enjoyment out of making cinnamon rolls. But I ams so making these tomorrow. Thanks for all the great recipes.

  76. Well, wet my whisk! I will be making these before church tomorrow morning. What a great idea and recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. I just love your site – great recipes and the photographs are to drool over.

  77. I just made these and ended up with accidental cinnamon and caramel buns! I think I must have goofed when I measured up the brown sugar, because I ended up with delicious doughy little muffin-buns floating in a small sea of messy yet delectable cinnamon caramel. Oops, but in a good way.

  78. I am so making these this morning! I never want to wait for something to bake either – especially in the mornings when you wake up famished and want to reach for the first delicious thing you can find.

  79. Joy, you are my new hero! I read this to my family and my husband got teary eyed. Cinnamon rolls without the mess on the counter and ready in an hour. You have created heaven! And finally, a recipe that uses my favourite spice, cardamom. Thank you so much!

  80. Oh my goodness! I love cinnamon rolls too… and the thought of having them (almost) in under and hour is almost too much for a girl to take, lol. They look FAN-tastic!

  81. MMMM! I’m wishing for these right now…
    Could you adapt this recipe to use some of the starter you’ve been growing?

  82. Shauna- Thank you! I hope you enjoy them! Let me know how they turn out!

    cneil- Thank you! I use a 100mm macro lens.

    kitty- I love that you live and cook in your grandmothers kitchen. That’s so special. Let me know how you enjoy these!

    Kristin- Thank You!

    Deeba- I hope you enjoy them! I’m sure I’ll see them on your blog soon!

    Ingrid- Thank you! Yes, cold milk would be just perfect!

    Amber- You’re so right! Orange County is either 45 minutes away or an absolute eternity wit traffic! I never seem to get out there. I stay in the city.

    Glenda- Yes the 20 minute baking time starts from the time you put the muffins in the cold oven. The muffins are inside the oven cooking while the oven heats. I know… it sounds crazy!

    Sassy- lol. I know what you mean about NOW!

    Missy- You have a stinky starter? Hm… it’s hard for me to know without smelling it for myself. If it doesn’t smell like something you might consider baking with, I might suggest starting over.

    Gidget- Please forgive me. I have no experience with high altitude adjustments. I’m sorry!

    Holly- Instant gratification just feels so good sometimes, especially when cinnamon and sugar are involved.

  83. These look delish! Any recommendations for high altitude adjustments for this recipe? I’m at about 6,000 ft and have a hard time with getting things to rise.

  84. Does the 20-minute baking time begin as soon as you put the muffins into the cold oven, or after the oven has preheated to 350 (with the muffins inside the oven while it’s preheating)?

  85. These look wonderful, actually better than a cinnamon roll. I love scones and muffins partly because they are one handed. Thanks for the comment about people, I sometimes wonder if I am almost alone in this thought. I forgot about where you live…both of my daughters are in C.M. Orange County, so depending on traffic, 45 minutes or 3 hours from you.

  86. I love making cinnamon rolls but I LOVE the speed of these-and oh the cinnamon-ey (is that a word???…Is NOW!) goodness! I’ve gotta try these and soon!!!!

  87. I’m with you, I lack the patience to make proper cinnamon rolls although I do love them. The smell of cinnamon rolls baking could bring me to my knees. I will definitely be giving these a try.

  88. making these tomorrow! my gran and i used to make cinnamon rolls together (although ours were a yeast and rising free afair). now i live in her house, and cook in her kitchen. i think she’d be very pleased if i cooked these.

  89. OH. MY. !!!

    I was thinking about getting up and making pancakes for the kids tomorrow before going to class, but to heck with that – it’s cinnamon roll muffins, baby! If mine turn out half as good as your pictures look (and I LOVE your photography!), then I will be able to die happy.

    *drools for the rest of the day in anticipation of tomorrow’s breakfast*

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Posts