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How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

January 24, 2023 by Joy the Baker 27 Comments

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warm cinnamon roll on plate

Micro batch baking – the invitation is to get all the way into it with me!  This is all very Kristin Wiig  making herself a single, sad cupcake in the movie Bridesmaids, save for the fact that there is absolutely zero sadness in me eating a single cinnamon roll over the kitchen sink in my pajamas.  This is, in fact, what I call luxury.  This single-serve cinnamon roll deserves a proper home and printable recipe here on the blog before I decide if this whole series is an ebook or a zine something – this really is something (and a proper cookbook would take too long).

This singular cinnamon roll (which can, of course be doubled for two people or just because) is gooey and best enjoyed warm with cream cheese glaze dripping down your hands. You can absolutely use a fork if you need to keep up appearances, but really what fun is that?

This is a yeasted, quick-rise cinnamon roll.  Just because we’re making one roll doesn’t mean we’re skimping on technique and texture.  Now, let’s make this perfect lil’ cinnamon bun.

ingredients for single serve cinnamon roll in small bowls

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this singe serve cinnamon roll recipe:

•  all-purpose flour

•  rapid rise yeast

•  baking powder

•  granulated sugar

•  kosher salt

•  vegetable oil

•  whole milk or any milk you prefer

•  butter, either softened or melted butter

•  brown sugar

•  ground cinnamon

•  cream cheese

•  powdered sugar

•  vanilla extract

* you could make this recipe vegan by substituting an alternative milk for the dough, vegan butter spread for the filling, and an easy powdered sugar glaze for the topping.

dry ingredients for small batch cinnamon rolls in small bowl
wet ingredients for cinnamon roll recipe in small bowl


In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients:  flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, instant yeast (like RapidRise), and salt.

In the microwave, warm milk and oil until just warm to the touch.  It’s ok if the two don’t mix well together, it’ll come together with the dough.

mixing single serve cinnamon roll ingredients together with spatula
kneading small batch cinnamon roll douugh


Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and use a small spatula to form a rough dough. The dough will be rather shaggy and moist but not sticky.  If you find that your dough is on the dry side (aka you’re not down here in steamy New Orleans) add more warm milk a teaspoon at a time.  If you find that your dough is on the wet side, just flour the counter generously to knead.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 25 turns or so.  You’ll feel the gluten start to form as the dough springs back from the pressure of kneading.  Drape a clean kitchen towel over the bouncy dough and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

small batch cinnamon roll dough rolled out and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon
rolling cinnamon roll dough


Roll the dough into a thin rectangle about 9×6-inches long.  I found it easiest to roll the dough on a very lightly floured surface so the dough can stick a bit to the surface.  A little bit of traction is helpful since the dough doesn’t have a ton of time to rest and relax.

Spread dough with softened butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and ground cinnamon.

To create an abundant roll, from the 6-inch side of the dough, cut three long strips.  Roll one strip into a coil.  Place that coil on the second strip and continue to roll the coil. Continue with the last strip of dough to create a generous roll.

single serve cinnamon roll in small ramekin to rise

Place the roll in an oven-safe ramekin or dish coated with cooking spray or greased with butter.

Pictured above is a 1-cup ramekin. I like for the roll to bake in something cozy so it maintains its coil shape.

Cover the ramekin loosely with a kitchen towel and allow to rest and rise for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.  I leave the covered ramekin in the warmest spot in my kitchen for this short rise – right near the back burner outside the warming oven.

baked single serve cinnamon roll
cream cheese glaze ingredients in small bowl.


Bake in the upper third of the oven until just golden around the edges and bubbling from the center.

While the roll bakes I make a quick cream cheese glaze, though you could always just make a simple milk and powdered sugar glaze if you don’t have cream cheese on hand.

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

Remove the roll from the ramekin and coat generously with cream cheese frosting. Now, there’s no time to wait – this is a sweet treat for right now.

If rolls are your jam, here’s more!

Small-Batch Overnight Mocha Cinnamon Rolls – small batch but larger than one.

Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls – we’re talking no yeast but still doughy delicious!

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls – loaded and very impressive.

Print
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inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make a Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

★★★★★ 4.9 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Total Time: about 1 hour
  • Yield: 1 perfect roll 1x
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Description

A recipe for one very delicious, doughy cinnamon roll for one.  You can absolutely double the recipe and make two fine rolls.


Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

  • 1/2 cup 964 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon instant (RapidRise) yeast
  • A good pinch of salt (we’re talking less than 1/8 teaspoon0
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or any neutral oil you prefer
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons milk (cow’s milk or any kind of nut or oat milk)

For the filling:

  • 1–2 tablespoons softened butter (salted or unsalted, it’s up to you)
  • 3 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2–3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (just sprinkle it on generously until you’re pleased)
  • A pinch of salt if you used unsalted butter

For the glaze:

  • 1 ounce (about a 1/2-inch slice off a cream cheese block) softened cream cheese
  • 2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • A splash of vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • A tiny splash of milk, if necessary (a teaspoon or so)

Instructions

  1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 1-cup oven-safe ramekin with nonstick cooking spray (or smear with softened butter) and set aside. To figure out the side of your ramekin, fill a measuring cup with 1 cup of water and pour the water into the ramekin. A 1-cup ramekin will be filled to the absolute brim. Use an oven-safe vessel as close to 1-cup as you have.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, and a pinch of salt. In a small measuring cup whisk together oil and milk and heat in the microwave until just warm to the touch (somewhere between 105 and 110 degrees F).
  3. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and use a spatula to incorporate well until the ingredients gather into a cohesive ball. Lightly sprinkle the counter with flour and knead the small dough ball for 20-30 turns. Lightly cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness into a 9-inch tall x 6-inch wide rectangle (though mine is always more like an oval). You won’t need too much flour on the counter because you want the dough to stick to the counter just a bit to hold its shape.
  5. Smear with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon and maybe a sprinkle of salt. Use a large knife to slice the dough into 3 strips (about 2-inches each). Roll the first strip into a relatively tight coil. Place that coil on the second strip and roll again. Place that coil on the third strip and roll into a generous cinnamon roll. Place in the prepared ramekin, cover loosely with a towel and place near the oven as it heats. Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes until puffed.
  6. Bake for 16-18 minutes until golden and bubbling. While the roll bakes, whisk together the glaze. (I zap the cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds to super soften it.) Add cream cheese, vanilla, salt, and a tiny splash of milk to get the right consistency.
  7. Remove roll from the oven. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before using a butterknife or large spoon to scoop the hot hot roll from the ramekin. Smear with glaze and wow, enjoy immediately.
  8. Note: You can absolutely double this recipe successfully. Split the dough in two before rolling and coiling and do so separately.

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Jack

    January 26, 2023 at 1:18 am

    With its soft and fluffy with a sweet and fragrant taste, they make a perfect snack and even for breakfast! Loved your recipe!!

    – Jack from Skilletguy.com

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suzanne

      January 29, 2023 at 10:59 am

      My husband and I made this after you were on HoustonLife! It was a little confusing when we doubled the recipe but we muddled through! They didn’t rise like I thought they would. Thinking I may not have neaded them long enough or too long? But popped them in the oven and they turned out pretty good for the first time making them! Thanks for the recipe! Forgot to take pictures but they did get eaten!??

      Reply
  2. Muriel

    January 25, 2023 at 8:45 am

    I have noty made this yet, just saw it, but love the idea. I’ve tried mug cakes in the microwave and no they don’t work. And I don’t like using crescent rolls nor do I like baking soda rolls. So thank you. Please do more single serve. I will definitely make this.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura

      August 4, 2023 at 10:24 pm

      When I make mug cakes in the microwave, not from scratch, I just spoon some boxed cake mix into the mug then add a spoonful of oil and mix. Then I add milk/water until it reaches the desired consistency. Once I’ve got it how I want it, just pop it in the microwave for approx 2 mins and once it’s no longer wet to the touch on the top I take it out and let it sit for about 5 mins. Top with icing of your choice and viola!

      Reply
  3. MP

    December 25, 2022 at 10:57 am

    girl, this was magical! made this for moi this Christmas morning and it was perfection, although I didn’t haven’t any milk (just Bailey’s) but I don’t think it was any worse for wear. pleaaaaaase make the single-serve zine a thing, that would be a lifesaver!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Alaina

      March 5, 2023 at 11:06 am

      Hi—can melted butter be equally substituted for the oil? Also, how much should it have risen? It seems that mine didn’t expand much, and I followed the recipe exactly…even adding some additional liquid because it’s wintertime in New York…

      Reply
  4. Jenn

    November 14, 2022 at 9:43 am

    Manic Monday called for a wee treat with my coffee this morning. This was so quick and easy. Turned out so yummy!! I may regret trying it…;)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Melissa

    November 6, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Hi? Can you omit the milk and use just water?

    Reply
  6. Liz

    August 26, 2022 at 9:27 am

    This looks great!!! Do you happened to have a link for the ramekins?

    Reply
    • Abby Mallett

      August 27, 2022 at 11:13 am

      Hello! Any 8 oz ramekins will do but these are the closest to what Joy has linked here. Happy baking!

      Reply
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