Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll Recipe

The Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll recipe delivers soft, fluffy rolls swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and finished with a rich, creamy glaze. These cinnamon rolls are warm, comforting, and perfect for slow mornings, holiday breakfasts, or special brunch gatherings. Made with a tender yeast dough and a generous filling, they strike the ideal balance between sweetness and softness, making them hard to resist fresh from the oven.

A Quick Glimpse at Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

This recipe features homemade yeast dough, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a smooth vanilla glaze. The rolls bake until golden on the outside while staying pillowy inside, with the filling melting into every spiral.

Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying

• Soft and Fluffy Texture: Bakery-style results at home
• Rich Cinnamon Flavor: Perfectly sweet and aromatic
• Great for Make-Ahead: Ideal for overnight prep
• Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Breakfast, brunch, or dessert

Essential Ingredients for This Recipe

• 1 cup whole milk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3–4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Useful Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Saucepan
• Rolling pin
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk and spatula

Directions to Make Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

Step 1: Warm the milk

Heat the milk until warm but not hot (about 110°F). Stir in the sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the dough

Add melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Knead and rise

Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Roll out the dough

Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.

Step 5: Add the filling

Spread softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly across the surface.

Step 6: Roll and slice

Roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.

Step 7: Second rise

Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.

Step 8: Bake the rolls

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 22–25 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 9: Glaze and serve

Whisk glaze ingredients together and pour over warm rolls. Serve immediately for the best texture.

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

• Dense Rolls: Allowed the dough more rising time
• Dry Centers: Reduced baking time slightly
• Uneven Swirls: Rolled the dough more tightly
• Runny Glaze: Added powdered sugar gradually

Healthier Ways to Make Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

• Use low-fat milk instead of whole milk
• Reduce the sugar in the filling slightly
• Use half whole-wheat flour
• Drizzle glaze lightly instead of fully coating
• Serve smaller portions

Ingredient Substitutions for Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

• Milk Substitute: Almond or oat milk
• Butter Substitute: Plant-based butter
• Brown Sugar Substitute: Coconut sugar
• Glaze Substitute: Cream cheese frosting
• Flour Substitute: Bread flour for a chewier texture

Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

• As French Toast: Slice and pan-fry leftovers
• With Coffee: Perfect morning pairing
• Mini Rolls: Bake smaller rolls for parties
• Dessert Style: Add ice cream on top
• Holiday Brunch: Serve alongside eggs and fruit

Best Tips for Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll Success

• Warm Milk Properly: Too hot kills yeast
• Don’t Overflour: Keeps rolls soft
• Let Dough Rise Fully: Essential for fluffiness
• Slice evenly: Helps rolls bake evenly
• Glaze While Warm: Allows it to melt into rolls
• Store Covered: Prevents drying

Tasty Twists on Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

• Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add diced apples
• Nutty Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans
• Orange Glaze: Use orange zest and juice
• Chocolate Rolls: Add chocolate chips
• Pumpkin Spice: Add pumpkin spice to filling

Best Ways to Store Your Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll

• Room Temperature: Store covered for 1 day
• Refrigerate: Store for up to 4 days
• Freeze: Freeze baked rolls up to 2 months
• Thaw Slowly: Prevents sogginess

Ways to Warm It Up Again

• Microwave: 15–20 seconds per roll
• Oven: Warm at 300°F for 8–10 minutes
• Add Moisture: Cover with foil when reheating

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 320mg

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FAQs

Why didn’t my cinnamon roll dough rise properly?

Cinnamon roll dough usually fails to rise if the yeast is expired or the milk is too hot or too cold. The milk should feel warm to the touch, not hot, to activate the yeast correctly.

How do I keep cinnamon rolls soft after baking?

To keep them soft, avoid overbaking and cover the rolls loosely with foil once they come out of the oven. Glazing them while warm also helps lock in moisture.

Can I prepare cinnamon rolls the night before baking?

Yes, you can assemble the rolls, cover them tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, so they rise properly.

Why are my cinnamon rolls dry in the center?

Dry centers usually mean too much flour was added or the rolls were baked too long. Measure flour carefully and remove the rolls as soon as the tops turn lightly golden.

Wrapping It Up

The Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll recipe brings classic bakery comfort straight to your kitchen. Soft dough, rich cinnamon filling, and a smooth glaze make these rolls a standout for any occasion. Once you try them fresh from the oven, they’re sure to become a repeat favorite in your home.