One of those perfectly delectable foods that starts to make a reappearance in the oven this time of year is the cozy cinnamon roll. Those golden spirals and warm layers are simply too good to resist once you start to feel that cool nip in the air. Often the conundrum is whether to take on the large undertaking of making homemade cinnamon rolls that are fluffy and the perfect indulgence, or baking them straight from the can in which case they turn out small, dry and just okay.
Luckily there is a third option in where one can make them as if they were homemade by simply using a can of cinnamon rolls, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream. It takes just a few extra minutes to prepare, but the results are well worth the effort. Since we are moving into the autumn/winter season, I thought I would share how I make the exquisite cinnamon roll in only a few steps. The full recipe is also at the bottom of the post for a more succinct version.
I am by no means a recipe maker, but this recipe is so simple that you don’t even really need a formal recipe (though one is provided at the bottom of the page). Simply get a can of cinnamon rolls (I use either Pillsbury Grands 5 count or Trader Joe’s 5 count), a package of cream cheese (the boxed kind) and heavy whipping cream. I also make a small mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to drizzle on top, but that is optional.
To start, simply take the baking dish and fill the bottom with the heavy cream. Add just enough to fill the bottom of the dish. Then place the store bought cinnamon rolls in the dish and drizzle a little more cream on top of them.
Melt the butter in a small dish then add some brown sugar and cinnamon and stir. I do 1 tablespoon of butter and brown sugar and a few shakes of cinnamon.
Take a spoon and mix together until well incorporated and then drizzle the cinnamon sugar butter on top of the rolls.
Bake the cinnamon rolls according to the package direction and possibly giving them an extra 3-5 minutes if they still look like they need a little extra time. Please note, that you will see some cream bubbling in the dish when you take it out of the oven, this is perfectly fine and will not make the buns soggy.
Let the cinnamon rolls cool to slightly warm or room temperature. In a bowl mix together 4 ounces of cream cheese with the icing packet that came with the rolls. If you have a hand mixer that would be best for the mixing, but if you do not then you can certainly mix it by hand.
After the cinnamon rolls are cooled simply take a small spatula or spoon and ice the cinnamon rolls as desired. After they are iced use some more cinnamon to sprinkle on top for an even more delectable look.
And then of course enjoy your warm, fluffy cinnamon roll with a cup of tea or even a nice latte. These cinnamon rolls are so very easy to make and are the perfect autumn/winter baked good to satisfy any cozy craving.
Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe:
- 1 package of store bought cinnamon rolls
- Heavy whipping cream
- 1 package of cream cheese
- 1 Tbsp butter & brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Pre heat the over according the package instructions.
- Fill the bottom of the baking dish with heavy whipping cream until it just covers the full bottom.
- Add the cinnamon rolls to the baking dish and drizzle a little more heavy whipping cream on top.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and then add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and some cinnamon. Stir this until well combined and then take a spoon and drizzle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the rolls.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls according to the package and possibly even allowing an extra 3-5 minutes longer if needed.
- After the cinnamon rolls are fully baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool to slightly warm or room temperature. PLEASE NOTE: When you go to remove the rolls you will still see some bubbling cream at the bottom of the baking dish, This is okay and will not make the cinnamon buns soggy.
- In a bowl add 4 ounces of cream cheese and the icing pack that came with the cinnamon roll and mix together with a hand mixer (you can mix by hand if you don’t have a mixer).
- Ice the cinnamon rolls as desired and sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top and enjoy.
These look delicious!
Thank you 🙂 I hope you try them sometime!
Gosh these look amazing, Katie. I have never heard of pre-made canned cinnamon rolls, but maybe I can look for a gluten-free recipe and try making some 🙂 Thank you for your tips, that cream cheese icing looks delicious. I love cream cheese icing on carrot cake and I’m sure it will be just as nice on cinnamon rolls!
Thank you, Fiona ☺️ the cinnamon rolls basically come as raw dough in a can and you bake them in the oven to rise, but the dough is premade and cut which is very helpful. And cream cheese frosting is one of life’s simple pleasures for sure!