The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Transform your kitchen into a warm, inviting bakery with The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls. These soft, fluffy rolls are layered with cinnamon and sugar, then topped with a rich glaze for a comforting breakfast treat or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 9 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
• 1 scant teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups melted butter (for filling)
• 1/4 cup ground cinnamon
• 2 cups granulated sugar (for filling)
• 1 bag (2 pounds) powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1/2 cup milk (for glaze)
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted (for glaze)
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee (for glaze)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt (for glaze)
• 1 tablespoon maple flavoring (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine the whole milk, vegetable oil, and 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat the mixture until it is just before boiling, then remove from heat and let it cool until warm.
2. Step 2: Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the surface of the warm milk mixture. Let it sit for a minute until it becomes slightly foamy and activates.
3. Step 3: Gradually add 8 cups of the all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring until just combined. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
4. Step 4: After the first rise, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup of flour. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients well.
5. Step 5: On a well-floured surface, roll the dough into a large, thin rectangle, making sure the surface is even for consistent rolling.
6. Step 6: Pour the 2 cups of melted butter generously over the dough. Sprinkle 1/4 cup ground cinnamon and 2 cups granulated sugar evenly across the buttered surface.
7. Step 7: Starting from the long side, carefully roll the dough tightly into a long log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into individual cinnamon rolls.
8. Step 8: Place the cut rolls into prepared baking pans, leaving some space between each roll for rising.
9. Step 9: Allow the rolls to rise for an additional 20-30 minutes while preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Step 10: Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
11. Step 11: While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, brewed coffee, salt, and maple flavoring. Mix until smooth.
12. Step 12: Once the rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over them and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of milk when heating the liquid mixture.
• If you prefer, swap the maple flavoring in the glaze for vanilla extract for a classic taste.
• Adding chopped nuts or raisins to the filling can provide extra texture and sweetness.
• Be sure not to overheat the milk mixture, as too hot liquid can kill the yeast.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a low oven until heated through. For longer storage, freeze the baked rolls wrapped tightly; thaw overnight and warm before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but reduce the amount slightly and add it directly to the dry ingredients without proofing in warm milk.

How do I know when the cinnamon rolls are done baking?

The rolls should be golden brown on top and cooked through in the center. You can test by gently pressing the top; it should spring back slightly.

The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 120 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 16–20 cinnamon rolls 1x

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Description

These Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls are a soft, fluffy treat featuring a rich dough infused with yeast and cinnamon. Rolled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a sweet maple-flavored glaze, these classic cinnamon rolls bring the cozy warmth of a bakery right to your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert, they delight with their tender crumb and irresistible aroma.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 9 cups all-purpose flour (divided: 8 cups initially, 1 cup later)
• 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
• 1 scant teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon salt

Filling Ingredients

• 2 cups melted butter
• 1/4 cup ground cinnamon
• 2 cups granulated sugar

Glaze Ingredients

• 1 bag (2 pounds) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon maple flavoring

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dough base: In a large saucepan, combine the whole milk, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar. Heat the mixture just until it comes close to boiling, then remove from heat and let it cool until warm to the touch.
2. Activate the yeast: Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm milk mixture’s surface. Let it sit for about a minute until it becomes slightly foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
3. Mix the initial dough: Gradually stir in 8 cups of the all-purpose flour into the milk and yeast mixture until just combined. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour, allowing the dough to develop.
4. Add leavening and remaining flour: After the first rise, add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup of flour. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients into a smooth dough.
5. Roll out the dough: Flour a clean surface well; then roll the dough into a large, thin rectangle, ensuring an even thickness for uniform baking and rolling.
6. Apply filling: Generously pour the melted butter over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough. Then evenly sprinkle the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar across the buttered dough to create the cinnamon-sugar filling.
7. Form the rolls: Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough into a long log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into individual cinnamon rolls of even size.
8. Arrange for second rise: Place the cut rolls into prepared baking pans, spacing them apart to allow room for rising.
9. Final rise and preheat: Let the rolls rise an additional 20 to 30 minutes in a warm area. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Bake the rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until golden and cooked through, generally about 20-25 minutes based on roll size, until they are puffed and lightly browned on top.
11. Prepare the glaze: While the rolls are baking, combine the powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, brewed coffee, salt, and maple flavoring in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and drizzle-able.
12. Glaze and serve: Once cinnamon rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, generously drizzle the maple glaze over them. Serve warm for best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

• Ensure the milk mixture is warm but not too hot before adding yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
• You can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it to bake fresh rolls in the morning.
• For a richer flavor, consider substituting some of the vegetable oil with butter in the dough.
• Adjust the cinnamon-sugar filling ratio to your preference for more or less sweetness and spice.
• If you do not have brewed coffee, substitute with strongly brewed decaf coffee or omit entirely, noting the glaze flavor will differ slightly.
• These cinnamon rolls freeze well after baking; reheat gently before serving.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, pioneer woman recipe, cinnamon roll recipe, homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls, breakfast pastry