Easy Cinnamon Buns

These Easy Cinnamon Buns are soft, gooey and oozing with cinnamon and brown sugar. Top with vanilla frosting and you’re in for a treat!

Our nephew’s girlfriend recently made these Easy Cinnamon Buns over the holidays and my girls loved them! So much so that we had to ask her for the recipe. However, when she told us how easy they were I was a bit skeptical. But then she told me her secret ingredient and I agreed that these are not only delicious but possibly the easiest cinnamon buns you’ll encounter. The secret ingredient? Frozen bread dough. Yes, that’s right, no need to knead dough here! What’s better than that?

After our dough was thawed we got right to it and we were thrilled with the results. We hope you are too! Like I said, not only are they easy but they are bursting with flavor and gooey, goodness. Don’t forget to smother them with delicious vanilla frosting or icing! A perfect ending to a delicious breakfast treat, snack or any time eats!

Where were cinnamon buns invented?

National Cinnamon Bun Day is celebrated on October 4th and for good reason. This is the day the first cinnamon bun was created in Sweden. All throughout Northern Europe and in particular both Sweden and Finland, these rolls are enjoyed during coffee breaks and fika, a get-together with friends.  Cinnamon buns in Sweden are baked in muffin wrappers, are lighter and not as sweet as they are in the United States.  

In comparison, cinnamon rolls in the U.S. tend to be heavier, sweeter and are enjoyed and served most commonly as a breakfast treat.  Today, cinnamon rolls are found in many varieties all over the world.  Some are sweet and sticky, some filled with raisins and nuts, while others tend to be more similar to the light and traditional Swedish favorite.  Regardless of what you call them, what variety is your favorite, these delicious treats can be enjoyed by all throughout the world.  

How to make these Easy Cinnamon Buns

Thaw out dough

No need to make your own dough for these Easy Cinnamon Rolls! Simply thaw the frozen bread dough according to package directions.  

Melt the butter/make the filling

In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and set aside.  In a mixing bowl, stir together dark brown sugar and cinnamon.

Spray baking pan

Spray a 9-inch round baking pan with baking spray with flour.  Set aside.

Prepare dough

Once dough has thawed and risen, roll the dough out on a lightly floured board/surface into a 11×17 rectangle.  Brush on melted butter and reserve about 1-2 tbsp.  Sprinkle the filling over the melted butter.

Starting with the shorter side of the rectangle, roll the dough tightly into a cylinder. Seal the edge with a little water.  Brush the top with reserved butter.  Cut dough into equal sized pieces, about 1.5 inch pieces.  Place pieces into prepared pan.  

Cover and let rise again for about 1 hour.  

Bake until golden brown

Your cinnamon buns will, most likely, take about 25 to 30 minutes.  Don’t over cook them as they will become hard.  They are done when they reach a nice golden brown but still spring back when pressed.  Let the buns sit in the pan for about 10 minutes before frosting.

Make the frosting/icing

Choose from two delicious toppings!

Vanilla Frosting: Combine butter, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy. Smother frosting over the top, cut, serve and enjoy!

Vanilla Icing: Stir together powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle over the warm buns, cut, serve and enjoy!

How should I store the cinnamon buns?

Store the cinnamon buns in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Just warm them up enough to make them soft and gooey! 

Can I freeze the cinnamon buns?

Yes!  Wrap the entire pan or individual buns in heavy duty foil and freeze for up to 3 months.  Take them out, thaw, reheat and frost!

Easy Cinnamon Buns-Ingredients

Dough

• 1 frozen white bread loaf

Filling

• 1/4 cup butter (salted, melted)
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Vanilla Frosting

• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 2/3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Vanilla Icing

• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

• Thaw out dough according to package directions. 
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a 9-inch round baking pan with baking spray with flour. Set aside.
• Once dough has thawed/risen, roll the dough out on a lightly floured board/surface into approximately a 11×17 inch rectangle. 
• In a small sauce pan melt the butter. Reserve about 1-2 tbsp of butter and set aside. Spread remaining butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough. 
• Mix together cinnamon and dark brown sugar. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the butter layer.
• Starting with the short side of the dough, roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Brush a little water on the edge to seal. 
• Brush reserved butter over the cylinder. 
• Cut the dough into equal sized pieces, about 1.5 inch pieces. 
• Place the cut pieces into the prepared pan leaving a little space between each piece. 
• Place a clean dish towel over the pan, set in a warm place and let rise until it doubles in size. About 1 hour. 
• Bake for about 25 minutes or until cinnamon buns are golden brown and slightly spring back when pressed down. Do not over cook. 
• Let buns cool in the pan for 10 minutes. 
• While the buns are cooling, choose from one of the following frosting/icing.

Vanilla Frosting

• Using a hand mixer, beat the butter until creamy.
• Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy. 
• Spread over warm buns. 
• Cut, serve and enjoy!

Vanilla Icing

• Stir together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
• Drizzle over the top of the warm buns.
• Cut, serve and enjoy!

For other great breakfast recipes try:

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Crescent Rolls

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Banana Cake Bars

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Easy Bacon and Cheese Quiche

Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

Raspberry Bundt Coffee Cake

Simple Homemade French Crepes