Cinnamon Crescent Rolls
The nostalgic aroma of cinnamon filling sets the stage for the mouthwatering experience that awaits with cinnamon crescent rolls. But what exactly are these delectable treats that have captivated generations? Let’s dig in and uncover the magic behind cinnamon crescents.
Have you ever been transported back to your childhood with just a whiff of a familiar aroma? The kind that instantly brings a smile to your face and fills you with a sense of comfort and warmth?
Well, prepare to be whisked away by the irresistible scent of cinnamon filling enveloped in layers of warm, buttery pastry as we delve into the world of cinnamon crescent rolls – the ultimate comfort food that has captured the hearts and taste buds of countless individuals. With its light and flaky texture, it serves as the perfect canvas for the warm and aromatic cinnamon filling. The buttery richness of the dough pairs harmoniously with the sweet and spicy notes, creating a truly irresistible combination.
Why is this the best recipe?
- The beauty of cinnamon crescents lies not only in their mouthwatering taste but also in their versatility. While the classic version is hard to beat, there are countless ways to customize this delightful treat to suit your personal taste.
- So, why are cinnamon crescents the ultimate comfort food? The answer lies not only in their irresistible aroma and heavenly taste, but also in the memories they evoke and the joy they bring with each bite.
- But what truly sets this recipe apart and makes it the best choice for your ultimate comfort food fix? Each crescent is a scrumptious package that combines the warmth of cinnamon with the buttery richness of the dough, creating pure bliss in every bite.
- Best of all, this is a no-knead dough that takes just five minutes to combine. It is also a soft dough rich in butter.
Ingredients and substitutes
- First and foremost, the star ingredient is the crescent roll dough itself, made from scratch!! While it’s highly recommended to use store-bought crescent roll dough for convenience, those with a penchant for baking can opt for homemade dough as long as the consistency remains light and airy. The dough is simple, made with flour, instant yeast, eggs, sugar, salt, and milk!
- Moving on to the cinnamon filling, its role cannot be understated. The fragrant spice infuses the entire roll with a comforting essence, imparting a nostalgic warmth that instantly transports us back to familiar memories. Whether you choose to use ground cinnamon or experiment with substitutes like cardamom or nutmeg, the key is to strike the perfect balance between spiciness and sweetness, as this is what truly sets cinnamon crescents apart.
- In addition to the cinnamon, the use of sugar adds a delightful sweetness that complements the spice perfectly. Whether you prefer white sugar, brown sugar, or a combination of both, it’s important to ensure that you evenly distribute the sweetness throughout the filling. This will undoubtedly evoke a sense of indulgence, making each crescent a delectable treat that satisfies any craving.
- Butter adds richness both in the dough and in the filling! If you are looking for dairy-free or vegan options, you can use vegan butter substitutes.
Step-by-step: Cinnamon crescent rolls
- First, gather all the necessary ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and yeast. Ensure you have these handy before you begin, as it will streamline your baking process.
- Combine the milk, yeast, sugar, and egg in a mixing bowl. Mix them until they are well incorporated. This will ensure an even distribution of flavors throughout the dough.
- Then, add the flour and salt, followed by the soft, room-temperature butter. Combine well. Using a spatula or your hands, mix everything together until no dry flour remains.
- Cover the bowl and leave to rise on the counter for 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size. Then, transfer to the refrigerator and chill for another 45 to 60 minutes. Since this dough is very buttery, chilling the dough makes it easier to handle.
- Once all the dough is doubled and chilled, it’s time to shape the dough. Roll it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a 12 x 12 circle. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten the dough until it is around ¼ inch thick.
- Combine the soft, room-temperature butter, sugar, and ground cinnamon for the cinnamon filling. Then, spread it over the rolled crescent dough using an offset spatula.
- Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges using a knife or pizza cutter. Roll up each wedge from the wide end to form a crescent shape. Repeat with the other portion of the dough.
- Place the crescents onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave some space between each one to allow for rising. Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until they have doubled in size.
- Finally, preheat your oven to 375°F /190°C/ 5 and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is simply heavenly.
- When you remove them from the oven, brush them with melted butter while still warm to add a nice buttery flavor.
Troubleshooting
- My dough did not rise. Most often, the simplest explanation is that the liquid (milk) used was not warm. You need the liquid to be no more than 110°F/ 41 °C. Hotter than that will not activate the yeast. In some cases, the yeast may have been old and not good.
- My bread is not soft but dense. If you add too much flour to the dough, the bread will be dense, not soft. You want the dough to be soft, elastic, and slightly sticky. Follow the recipe and look at the video to see the consistency of the dough.
- My rolls deflated when baking. Proof the rolls until they are almost doubled in volume. They will continue to rise some more in the oven when baking. If you overproof the rolls, they tend to rise and deflate when baking.
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Frequently asked questions
If stored properly, these cinnamon crescent rolls will stay for 3 to 4 days at room temperature. They can also be frozen for a month or more. Never store bread in the fridge as it dries out.
You want to keep bread covered in an airtight container or ziplock bag to prevent air from drying it out. I like to use my reusable silicone bags to keep bread fresh.
The best way to keep homemade bread soft is to contain the steam within the bread. So, while they are still hot, place a clean kitchen cloth over them and let them rest for 10 minutes. Keeping these dinner rolls covered will also keep them from drying out.
Absolutely! Cinnamon crescent rolls can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Simply follow the recipe up until the baking step, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just remove them from the refrigerator, let them come to room temperature, and then proceed with baking as usual.
Yes! If you want to make a big batch of cinnamon crescent rolls and save some for later, you can freeze them. After baking, allow the rolls to cool completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. To enjoy them later, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes.
Definitely! With a few ingredient swaps, you can easily make vegan or gluten-free cinnamon crescent rolls. For a vegan version, use non-dairy butter or margarine and substitute non-dairy milk for regular milk. As for gluten-free, search for pre-made gluten-free crescent roll dough or make your own using a gluten-free flour blend.
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls – No knead
These cinnamon crescent rolls are my soft crescent rolls filled with cinnamon sugar. Soft and buttery, yet light and airy. These rolls use a no-knead dough that takes just five minutes to combine.
Video
Ingredients
- 180 ml (¾ cups) Milk
- 30 g (2 tbsp) Sugar white
- 100 g (2 large) Eggs large
- 7 g (2¼ tsp) Instant dry yeast (1 envelope)
- 500 g (4 cups) All-purpose flour
- 9 g (1 tsp) Kosher salt
- 60 g (¼ cups) Butter unsalted room temperature
- 60 g (¼ cup) Soft Butter unsalted, room temperature
- 100 g (½ cups) Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon ground
- ½ Egg beaten for egg wash
Method
- Yeast mixture – Combine the milk, yeast, sugar, and egg in a mixing bowl. Mix them until they are well incorporated. This will ensure an even distribution of flavors throughout the dough.180 ml Milk, 30 g Sugar, 100 g Eggs, 7 g Instant dry yeast
- Dry ingredients – Then, add the flour and salt, followed by the soft, room-temperature butter. Combine well. Using a spatula or your hands, mix everything together until you have no dry flour visible.500 g All-purpose flour, 9 g Kosher salt, 60 g Butter
- Rise – Cover the bowl and leave to rise on the counter for 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size. Then, transfer to the refrigerator and chill for another 45 to 60 minutes. Since this dough is very buttery, chilling the dough makes it easier to handle.
- Roll – Once all the dough is doubled and chilled, it’s time to shape it. Roll it out onto a floured surface into a 12 x 12 circle. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten the dough until it is around ¼ inch thick.
- Filling – Combine the soft, room-temperature butter, sugar, and ground cinnamon for the cinnamon filling. Then, spread it over the rolled crescent dough using an offset spatula.60 g Soft Butter, 100 g Brown sugar, 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- Shape – Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges using a knife or pizza cutter. Roll up each wedge from the wide end to form a crescent shape. Repeat with the other portion of the dough.
- Proof – Place the crescents onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each one to allow for rising. Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise warmly for about an hour or until they have doubled in size.
- Bake – Finally, preheat your oven to 375°F /190°C/ 5. Brush the rolls with egg wash and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is simply heavenly.1/2 Egg
- Butter – When you remove them from the oven, brush them with melted butter while still warm to add a nice buttery flavor.
Notes
- Firstly, when making the dough, it’s important to use fresh yeast and check the expiration date. Old or expired yeast can result in flat, dense rolls, lacking the desired light and fluffy texture. Additionally, make sure the yeast is properly activated by proofing it in warm water or milk before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
- Secondly, when rolling out the dough into crescent shapes, do not overwork it. Overworking the dough can lead to tough and chewy rolls. Instead, gently stretch and shape the dough, allowing it to rise and develop its airy texture during baking.
- Next, when applying the cinnamon sugar filling, evenly distribute it across the surface of the dough. This will ensure every bite is filled with the warm, sweet spice. It may be tempting to use more filling, but overdoing it can cause the rolls to become soggy or overwhelm the delicate balance of flavors.
- Furthermore, pay close attention to the baking time and temperature. Different ovens may vary, so it’s essential to follow the recipe’s guidelines. Baking the rolls until they are golden brown and fragrant will result in a beautiful caramelized exterior and a soft, pillowy interior. The heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake will be the perfect indication that they are ready to be enjoyed.
- Overnight Buns – The dough can be prepared a day in advance. Proof them on the counter for an hour, then punch down and let the dough rest in the fridge overnight. Overnight proofing is a great way to add flavor to the bagels. The next day, continue with the recipe as directed, rolling and shaping the chilled dough.
- Storing these rolls– These crescents do freeze beautifully. Cool the baked buns, then place them in a freezer-safe storage bag. These can be frozen for up to a month.
- Kneading the dough – The dough does not need any kneading, but if you want, you can mix it using an electric mixer because the dough is soft and sticky.
- Bread machine – These rolls can be easily made in a bread machine. Pour all ingredients into the pan set to dough or manual. Start and let the dough run its cycle for about 9 to 10 minutes – continue with the recipe as shown above.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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These were so easy to make and they tasted amazing. I sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon sugar on top after the melted butter. My boys loved them. Thank you
Thank you so much for your feedback, Antonio. I am so happy to hear your boys enjoyed these.
Oh I could so eat 5 or 10 of these right now. They look amazing.
I hear you, Dannii. These are very addictive.
These cinnamon crescent rolls are such a treat! They are beautiful as well, and my whole family loves them!
Thank you, Emily. So happy your family enjoyed it.
I made these for my family and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved them and they were gone in seconds! Thank you!
Thank you, Jamie. So happy to hear everyone enjoyed it.
These are gorgeous and so delicious!
Thank you, Michelle
I usually shape my cinnamon rolls into a log and cut into rounds and bake in a standard pull-apart style. This crescent roll shape is easier for grab-and-go and each buns looks so pretty. 🙂
Thank you, Anita. Yes, the log looks nice too.