Easy Paula Deen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls represent the ultimate comfort food that transforms ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sweet aromas wafting through kitchens herald the promise of warm, delectable pastries waiting to be savored.

These spiraled delights combine rich, buttery dough with fragrant spices that dance across your palate.

Carefully crafted layers of tender bread and warm cinnamon create a sensory journey that tantalizes taste buds.

Home bakers love how these rolls bring families together around a shared moment of deliciousness.

Ancient baking traditions merge with modern techniques to produce these irresistible breakfast treats.

Passionate cooks understand the magic of transforming simple ingredients into something truly spectacular: get ready to bake pure happiness.

Why Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls Are the Ultimate Morning Treat

• Indulge in Comfort: These cinnamon rolls wrap you in a warm, nostalgic embrace with their soft, pillowy texture and rich, aromatic cinnamon swirls that transport you straight to childhood memories.
• Master Baking Magic: The recipe offers an approachable baking experience for home cooks, requiring basic ingredients and simple techniques that transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary breakfast treats in just a few hours.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the rolls by adding nuts, raisins, or adjusting the filling to suit personal tastes, making them perfect for family breakfasts, brunches, or special weekend gatherings where everyone can enjoy a personalized sweet treat.
• Sensory Delight: The combination of buttery dough, fragrant cinnamon, and sweet glaze creates a multi-layered taste experience that tantalizes your senses with every single bite, promising pure culinary satisfaction.

Key Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls

• Yeast: Essential for dough rising and creating fluffy texture. Active dry yeast works best.
• Warm Water: Helps activate the yeast. Ideal temperature is around 110°F.
• Scalded Milk: Provides richness and helps develop soft texture. Whole milk recommended.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
• Butter or Shortening: Creates tender, rich dough. Unsalted butter preferred.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients together.
• All-Purpose Flour: Base ingredient for creating dough structure. High-quality flour yields better results.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness to the filling. Granulated white sugar works best.
• Cinnamon: Key spice for classic cinnamon roll flavor. Fresh ground recommended.
• Melted Butter: Helps cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to dough. Unsalted butter preferred.
• Walnuts, Pecans, Raisins: Optional mix-ins for added texture and flavor. Use fresh, high-quality nuts.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze. Sifted for best results.
• Butter: Adds richness to the glaze. Unsalted butter recommended.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth of flavor. Pure vanilla extract preferred.
• Hot Water: Adjusts glaze consistency. Add gradually for desired thickness.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Scalded milk
• Sugar
• Melted butter
• Salt
• Egg

Add of flour and mix until smooth. Incorporate the yeast mixture, then gradually add remaining flour until the dough becomes manageable.

Step 2: Knead and Rise the Dough

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Step 4: Roll and Shape the Rolls

Punch down the risen dough and roll into a 15×9 inch rectangle. Brush entire surface with melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the dough. Optional: Add chopped walnuts or raisins.

Step 5: Create the Roll Spiral

Carefully roll the dough tightly from the 15-inch side, creating a compact log. Pinch the edge to seal. Slice into 12-15 even rolls using a sharp knife.

Step 6: Set Up for Baking

Grease a baking pan with butter and lightly dust with sugar. Arrange rolls close together, allowing space for expansion. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.

Step 8: Craft the Creamy Glaze

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Hot water

Step 9: Finish with Glaze

Allow rolls to cool slightly, then drizzle or spread glaze generously over the top. Serve warm and savor the delicious homemade treat.

Pro Tips for Perfect Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls

• Capture Freshness with Live Yeast: Pick vibrant, unexpired yeast to guarantee explosive rising power in your rolls.
• Create Silky Dough through Precise Milk Heating: Carefully warm milk just before boiling point, then cool down to develop incredible soft textures.
• Master Tight Rolling Techniques: Wrap filling super snugly, ensuring compact layers without awkward air pockets or gaps.
• Develop Gluten with Strategic Kneading: Work dough until smooth and springy, transforming raw ingredients into elastic, tender perfection.
• Respect the Second Rise Magic: Permit rolls generous resting time, allowing them to dramatically expand and become wonderfully puffy before baking.

How to Keep Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls Fresh

• Airtight Preservation: Store completely cooled cinnamon rolls in sealed containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain maximum moisture and prevent staleness. Layer rolls with parchment paper between each piece to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate texture.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual rolls separately in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil for ultimate protection against freezer burn. Place wrapped rolls in a sturdy freezer-safe container, ensuring they remain flat to preserve their shape. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Quick Reheating: Revive refrigerated or frozen rolls by placing on a microwave-safe plate and covering with a slightly damp paper towel. Warm for 20-30 seconds, checking midway to prevent overheating.

Delicious Variations of Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls

• Chocolate Lover's Cinnamon Roll: Swap traditional filling with rich chocolate spread, sprinkle cocoa powder, and add chocolate chips for intense chocolate experience.
• Nutty Caramel Spin: Replace standard filling with caramel sauce, top with chopped pecans and almonds, drizzle additional caramel glaze after baking for extra sweetness.
• Fruity Berry Swirl: Incorporate raspberry or strawberry jam into filling, add fresh berries, create cream cheese frosting with berry essence for vibrant flavor profile.
• Apple Cinnamon Fusion: Mix finely diced fresh apples into filling, sprinkle extra cinnamon, use brown sugar for deeper caramelized taste, top with apple-infused glaze.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls from Paula Deen’s kitchen whisper tales of Southern comfort and culinary passion.

Warm, gooey layers melt together with rich cinnamon swirls that dance across taste buds.

Homemade goodness emerges from each carefully crafted roll, inviting memories of grandmother’s kitchen.

Family traditions blend seamlessly with sweet indulgence in this timeless recipe.

Heavenly aromas promise pure deliciousness waiting to be savored.

Bakers who dare to create these rolls will discover magic beyond simple ingredients – so gather round, share the love, spread the joy, and let everyone know about this incredible cinnamon roll adventure you’ve just experienced!

Paula Deen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Warm and gooey Paula Deen Cinnamon Rolls invite sweet indulgence with their signature Southern charm. Pillowy dough swirled with rich cinnamon and drizzled with cream cheese glaze promises a comforting breakfast that fills kitchens with irresistible aroma.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups (up to 4 cups) flour
• 1 egg
• ½ cup scalded milk
• ⅓ cup melted shortening (or butter)

Yeast and Liquid Base:

• 1 (0.25 ounces) package yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 cup divided sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Flavor and Topping Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup optional raisins (or walnuts or pecans)
• ½ cup plus 4 tablespoons divided, ½ cup melted butter, plus more for the pan
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 to 6 tablespoons hot water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Initiate the dough preparation by dissolving yeast in lukewarm water (110°F/43°C), allowing it to become frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine scalded milk, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg, creating a smooth preliminary mixture.
2. Gradually incorporate flour into the liquid ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. Integrate the activated yeast mixture, continuing to blend until the dough becomes manageable and slightly elastic.
3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface, kneading thoroughly for 7-10 minutes. The dough should transform into a soft, pliable consistency with a smooth texture.
4. Place the kneaded dough in a generously greased ceramic or glass bowl, covering with a damp kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment until it doubles in volume, approximately 60-90 minutes.
5. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangular shape measuring approximately 15 × 9 inches (38 × 23 centimeters).
6. Liberally brush the entire surface with melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle a uniform layer of cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Optional: Scatter chopped walnuts or pecans for additional texture.
7. Carefully roll the dough from the longer side, maintaining a tight, consistent spiral. Seal the edge by pinching it closed to prevent unraveling during baking.
8. Slice the rolled dough into 12-15 equal segments using a sharp serrated knife or dental floss. Arrange the rolls in a buttered baking pan, positioning them closely together.
9. Allow the rolls to undergo a second rise, covering them with a clean kitchen towel. Let them expand for approximately 45 minutes in a warm location until they appear puffy and interconnected.
10. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, monitoring their color and ensuring they develop a golden-brown exterior.
11. While the rolls cool slightly, prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Gradually add hot water, adjusting consistency to achieve a smooth, pourable texture.
12. Drizzle the prepared glaze generously over the warm cinnamon rolls, allowing it to cascade and settle between the spirals. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Prevent Uneven Filling Spread: Roll the dough tightly to ensure filling distributes evenly and prevents gaps in layers, creating a perfect cinnamon swirl.
• Develop Strong Gluten Structure: Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, building strength that creates a tender, chewy texture in every bite.
• Control Milk Temperature Precisely: Scald milk just before boiling and cool it down to activate yeast perfectly, which guarantees softer, more delicate cinnamon rolls.
• Verify Yeast Freshness Carefully: Check expiration dates and use fresh yeast to ensure maximum rising power and a light, airy final product that rises beautifully.
• Seal Edges for Compact Rolls: Pinch dough edges when rolling to prevent filling from leaking and maintain a compact, well-structured cinnamon roll shape.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 589
• Sugar: 60.5 g
• Sodium: 135 mg
• Fat: 18.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 10.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 101 g
• Fiber: 1.9 g
• Protein: 7.2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg