Team homemade or team from a can, it doesn’t matter.
I recently came across some amazing cinnamon roll hacks on the internet, and I needed to share. It was necessary.
I couldn’t go another day without handing these over to you because they’re such good level-ups, but they’re also easy.
Like who doesn’t need easy hacks that’ll make your cinnamon rolls taste 1000% better, or just some simple tips to make the cooking process a lot faster?
So if you want your life to be just that much better, and you wanna enjoy some soft and fluffy rolls, then read over these ideas for upgrade cinnamon rolls.
1. Butter and Brown Sugar Layer
“Slathering the bottom of the baking dish with an extravagant amount of butter and then brown sugar BEFORE placing the cinnamon buns in the pan is a game changer.
To serve, literally just flip the dish upside down, and out come these golden gooey crispy on the edge rolls. Divine! Can be done with homemade or store-bought.”
– Kari T.
I love this cinnamon roll hack! It sounds like it would taste amazing, be a great lazy breakfast, and go amazing with coffee.
2. Get the Heavy Cream Out
“The absolute BEST hack for canned cinnamon rolls is to pour a bit of heavy cream in the bottom of the pan (we always use a pie pan) — just enough to cover the bottom — plus 3-4 tablespoons of melted butter. The rolls soak up all the cream and butter and they are extra delicious! You may need to cook them for an extra minute or two.” – Lauren
These are those viral cinnamon rolls that have been making their rounds on the internet. They have an ooey-gooey texture and the cream and butter sounds like it would really accentuate the flavors!
GET THE RECIPE3. Supermarket Pizza Dough
“Supermarket pizza dough actually makes delicious cinnamon rolls. Roll it out, add a cinnamon/sugar/butter filling, roll it up, slice and bake. Add whatever glaze or frosting you like.” – Ann
If you’re looking for a perfectly easy cinnamon rolls hack, then this might be it. It sounds so simple and so delicious!
4. Cream Cheese + Icing Packet
“Devoted to the TJ’s [Trader Joe’s] cinnamon rolls, with a small but mighty hack. Mix in cream cheese to the icing packet (to taste) to create an amazing, homemade-tasting cream cheese frosting. Major level up.”
Side Note: While she uses Trader Joe’s cinnamon rolls, I’m gonna say that this should work with whatever brand you use.
5. Take Out Your Waffle Iron
“For a real game changer, cook your preferred canned cinnamon rolls in a waffle iron. 1000% better than anything that comes out of the oven!!” – Eliza
Gretchen also adds…
“I also recommend cooking canned cinnamon rolls in a waffle iron. They get a little crispy and cook up super fast!”
Personal Note: A little bit of crispiness sounds amazing! This canned cinnamon roll hack is kind of genius.
6. Turn Them Into a Casserole or Monkey Bread
If you tear up the pieces of the canned cinnamon rolls and put them in the right kind of baking dish (or casserole dish), you’re gonna have either a very decadent breakfast or dessert.
GET THE RECIPE7. Quick Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust
Take those canned cinnamon rolls, flatten them with a rolling pin, stick them to the bottom of a pie pan or skillet, and you have a cinnamon roll pie crust.
It honestly sounds so good!
8. An Easy and Delicious Flavor Upgrade
“Make orange rolls from crescent dough [I assume she means Pillsbury crescent rolls] and your family will think you’re a genius. 😉
This is our Christmas morning breakfast most years:
Big, flaky crescent rolls (1 pkg makes 6 rolls, so buy more if you need more!).
Brush raw dough with butter, add brown sugar and orange zest, bake, then top with orange glaze icing. Make icing with orange juice and powdered sugar. Add a little milk and butter for flavor. Soo easy and delicious!” – Stephanie
9. Gluten and/or Dairy Free Hack
“We are gluten-free and dairy-free and mourned the loss of cinnamon rolls for years! If you are in the sad gluten-free canoe with us – this is the BEST RECIPE. I make them every year for my husband’s birthday (which is tomorrow!). I use vegan butter (salted Earth Balance) and Namaste Gluten-Free 1:1 flour. I also switched the white sugar to brown sugar in the filling. You will NOT regret this.” – Andie
GET THE RECIPE10. Candied Bacon
Super easy and delicious hack I used to do years ago.
Get some thick-cut bacon that’s been candied with brown sugar, wrap them around your cinnamon rolls, and bake. Very simple and easy!
11. Puff Patry
This food blogger has a great hack for just using puff pastry for the cinnamon rolls. Definitely a time-saver!
GET THE RECIPE12. Another Good No-Knead Recipe
“A no-knead dough, overnight make-ahead option and the lightest, most delicious cream cheese frosting make these cinnamon rolls the only ones I ever make!” – Marissa Stevens
GET THE RECIPE13. Mascarpone & Cream Cheese
“I use half marscapone and half cream cheese for the frosting. I’m not a fan of how overpowering cream cheese only is. I also use a really hydrated brioche and cold proofing, so these turn our super soft and flavorful.” – Kari Headings
Sounds like a great way to level-up a simple can of cinnamon rolls or any easy fluffy cinnamon roll recipe you have!
GET THE RECIPE14. Tasty Filling Hacks
I honestly think it’s a great idea to just get creative with fillings. It’s an easy way to make your cinnamon rolls feel like they just came out of a Martha Stewart magazine.
So for instance, these cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling look beyond amazing. Or these Nutella and chocolate-filled ones look like they’d pair great with coffee.
15. Cinnamon Roll Peach Cobbler
A peach cobbler made with cinnamon rolls instead of the normal brown sugar and oats topping. Let that sink in for just a moment.
Like how amazing would that taste on a Saturday morning?
GET THE RECIPE
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.
Love these cinnamon roll hack ideas! The tip about using Streusel toppings as decorations is genius. Can’t wait to try it out and take my cinnamon roll game to the next level