The irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls can fill your home without spending hours in the kitchen. A cinnamon rolls in crock pot recipe turns this beloved breakfast treat into a simple delight. Your slow cooker’s magic creates perfectly soft, gooey cinnamon rolls while you handle other tasks or get extra sleep.
Let me show you how to make delicious cinnamon rolls in crock pot with simple ingredients and minimal work. You’ll find that slow cooking gives you exceptionally moist rolls. The process is straightforward, and you’ll quickly become skilled at this easy breakfast recipe. Warm, satisfying cinnamon rolls await you every time, perfect for a holiday brunch or lazy weekend breakfast.
Why Make cinnamon rolls in crock pot?
Your slow cooker can revolutionize the way you make cinnamon rolls. This innovative technique will transform your breakfast routine and add a valuable recipe to your morning collection.
Convenience
A slow cooker takes away the most daunting part of making homemade cinnamon rolls – the long rise time. Traditional recipes need multiple rises that take 3-4 hours. The slow cooking process naturally handles the rising time during baking and makes this recipe perfect when you’re short on time.
Your slow cooker works like a kitchen helper that lets you do many things at once. You can hit the gym, complete your grocery shopping, or finish household chores while your cinnamon rolls bake perfectly.
Moisture Retention
Crock pot cinnamon rolls turn out incredibly tender and moist compared to traditional oven baking. The slow cooker creates a sealed environment that traps moisture inside. This special cooking method allows the rolls to merge together and creates an irresistible pull-apart texture.
A simple paper towel placed under the slow cooker’s lid works wonders. This smart technique catches any extra condensation before it can drip onto your rolls and helps maintain their perfect texture while they cook.
Frees up Oven Space
Your oven space becomes precious on busy holiday mornings, especially when you have Christmas breakfast to prepare. A slow cooker is a great way to get warm, fresh cinnamon rolls ready while your oven takes care of other breakfast items like bacon or egg casseroles.
This approach works great in summer too. You won’t heat up your kitchen with a hot oven. A bit of planning lets you make these rolls ahead – they’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can even freeze them for up to 2 months.
These benefits come with a small trade-off. Your cinnamon rolls will take about 2 hours to bake in the slow cooker. But many home bakers find this hands-off method worth the wait to get perfect homemade cinnamon rolls every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These delectable crock pot cinnamon rolls need specific ingredients to come together perfectly. You can use store-bought rolls or make them from scratch in your slow cooker adventure.
The Dough Options
Here are two great ways to prepare your dough base:
Quick Method (Store-bought):
- 2 cans (12.4 oz each) of prepared cinnamon roll dough
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg (or ½ cup egg whites)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Homemade Method:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
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- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon salt
The Filling
A delicious cinnamon roll filling needs these ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Brown sugar | ⅓ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tablespoon |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 5 tablespoons |
The filling becomes even more special with:
- 4 large apples (2 Honeycrisp + 2 Granny Smith)
- A dash more cinnamon that adds warmth
For the icing
Here’s how to make a rich cream cheese frosting:
Classic Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Quick Alternative: The icing packets included with store-bought rolls work well as a simple solution.
Butter and cream cheese should reach room temperature before you begin. Precise measurements and having ingredients ready will give you the best results. Quality store-bought cinnamon rolls from your preferred brand work great with this recipe.
Preparing the Cinnamon Roll Dough
The perfect dough makes the foundation of delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. These significant steps will help you master this technique and set you up for success.
Mixing the dough ingredients
The yeast mixture preparation comes first. The milk needs to reach approximately 95°F. This temperature is significant because hot milk kills the yeast while cool milk won’t activate it. The next step involves adding yeast and a teaspoon of honey. Let this mixture sit until it becomes foamy – a process called “proofing”.
The foamy mixture goes into your stand mixer bowl. Here’s what you need to do next:
- Mix in ½ cup flour completely
- Add the egg and salt
- Add more flour ½ cup at a time
- The process ends when you see a soft ball forming (you’ll need about 2 cups total)
Pro Tip: A slightly tacky dough works better than a dry one, so don’t add too much flour.
Kneading and resting the dough
The kneading phase requires your stand mixer’s dough hook attachment. Mix the ingredients on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until your dough becomes smooth and elastic. The dough shows readiness when it:
- Gently pulls away from the bowl sides
- Feels soft but not overly sticky
- Slowly bounces back after a finger poke
The dough might need adjustments during kneading. Add one teaspoon of flour at a time if it feels too sticky. The dough needs a 10-minute rest period that allows the gluten to relax and makes rolling easier.
Rolling out the dough
Let the dough rest as you prepare your work surface. You have two options:
- Use a silicone mat (ideal to prevent sticking)
- Dust your counter with a light coating of flour
Take a lightly floured rolling pin and roll the dough into a 14×8 inch rectangle. The dough’s thickness should stay uniform to ensure even baking. Make sure the dough is thin enough to work with but sturdy enough to hold your filling.
Important Note: This recipe differs from traditional cinnamon rolls since you don’t need to wait for the dough to rise before rolling – this happens naturally in your crock pot. This feature makes this easy breakfast recipe perfect for busy mornings.
Gentle handling of the dough is essential during this process. Tough cinnamon rolls result from overworking, while careful handling creates the tender, fluffy texture we want.
Assembling and Cooking the Cinnamon Rolls
Your dough is ready to reshape into those irresistible crock pot cinnamon rolls that will fill your kitchen with an amazing aroma. A proper assembly is significant to create that perfect swirl and gooey center that everyone craves.
Adding the filling
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to create your cinnamon-sugar mixture. Take a rubber spatula and spread the softened butter evenly on your rolled-out dough. Remember to leave a ½-inch border around the edges. The cinnamon-sugar mixture should be sprinkled uniformly over the butter layer and pressed gently so it sticks properly.
Rolling and cutting the dough
Let’s create that signature swirl! Start from the long edge and roll the dough tightly into a log shape with steady, even pressure. A tight roll will give a beautiful layered look to your finished rolls. Take a serrated knife and cut the log into 10-12 even pieces. Here’s a pro tip – many bakers use unflavored dental floss to get the cleanest cuts!
Arranging in the crock pot
Even cooking requires significant attention to arrangement. Follow these steps to set up your crock pot:
- Line your slow cooker with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray
- Place the cut rolls in the prepared crock pot and leave small spaces between each roll
- Two layers work best for larger batches:
- Arrange half the rolls on the bottom
- Add any apple mixture if using
- Place remaining rolls on top
Pro Tip: Your slow cooker’s size matters. A greased cake pan can hold the rolls inside the crock pot if it fits.
Cooking time and temperature
Cooking times vary based on your slow cooker model. Here’s what you need to know:
| Setting | Cooking Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High | 1.5-2 hours | Best for newer models |
| Low | 2-2.5 hours | Standard setting |
| Low (larger pots) | 4-5 hours | For thick layers |
Important Cooking Tips:
- Place a double layer of paper towels under the lid that prevents condensation from dripping onto your rolls
- Extended cooking on high temperature can cause burning
- Check doneness by gently poking the top – the rolls shouldn’t feel like wet dough
Time-Saving Tip: These rolls can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Cover them properly to prevent drying and add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time since they’ll start cold.
Checking your rolls every 30-45 minutes is essential with a larger slow cooker because cooking can be uneven. The mixture needs gentle folding to ensure even cooking. While the finished rolls won’t brown deeply like oven-baked ones, they’ll have a perfectly cooked, wonderfully soft and tender texture.
Making the Cream Cheese Icing
A creamy, sweet icing adds the perfect finishing touch to your crock pot cinnamon rolls and makes them absolutely irresistible. This signature topping ensures every bite becomes a memorable experience.
Ingredients for the icing
These cinnamon rolls taste great with two icing options. The classic cream cheese version brings rich, tangy sweetness, and the simple vanilla icing works as a lighter choice. Let’s look at what you need:
Classic Cream Cheese Icing
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese | 4 ounces |
| Butter | 3 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Powdered sugar | 1½ cups |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons |
Quick Vanilla Icing
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
| Butter (melted) | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
Mixing and applying the icing
The perfect icing texture needs attention to detail and proper timing. Here’s how to get professional-quality results:
- Preparation:
- Take cream cheese and butter out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing
- You can microwave them for 5-10 seconds to soften quickly
- Mixing Process:
- Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy
- Mix in milk and vanilla
- Add powdered sugar bit by bit until smooth and fluffy
Pro Tips for Perfect Icing:
- Your icing should go on in two stages:
- Use ¼ of the icing at the time rolls are warm
- Put remaining icing after they cool
- This two-layer method will:
- Build a protective moisture barrier
- Help rolls stay fresh longer
- Give you even flavor in every bite
Your crock pot cinnamon rolls’ temperature matters when you add the icing. Let the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before the first layer if you plan to serve them right away. The warmth helps the icing melt into the crevices, creating that bakery-style finish you want.
Making these for a holiday breakfast or weekend brunch? You can make the icing ahead and keep it in an airtight container. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whisk before using. This makes your morning easier, especially with a big breakfast spread planned.
The icing’s consistency should be thick enough to hold shape but easy to spread. You can adjust it by:
- Adding more powdered sugar to thicken
- Using a few drops of milk to thin
- Adding a pinch of salt to improve the overall taste
Your crock pot cinnamon rolls should have plenty of icing that adds to the warm, spicy flavors without overpowering them. The rolls will look and taste amazing whether you pick the classic cream cheese version or go with simple vanilla icing.
Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls
You can make amazing crock pot cinnamon rolls by becoming skilled at a few basic techniques. These expert tips will help you create bakery-quality rolls in your slow cooker that turn out perfect, moist and delicious.
Using parchment paper
Perfect results and easy cleanup depend on a significant lining technique. A parchment paper sling requires two long strips of paper that run north to south and east to west. This method provides:
- Easy removal handles
- Protection against sticking
- Minimal cleanup
- Even heat distribution
Pro Tip: Aluminum foil can work as an alternative when parchment paper isn’t available. Note that you should lightly coat it with non-stick spray first to get the best results.
Avoiding excess moisture
The perfect texture of your crock pot cinnamon rolls depends on moisture control. Here’s how you can manage condensation effectively:
- First Step: A clean kitchen towel or paper towel placed over the slow cooker before adding the lid works best. This simple technique stops excess moisture from dripping onto your rolls.
- Moisture Management Tips:
- Add the right amount of liquid ingredients
- Keep the lid closed during cooking
- Make sure the towel doesn’t sag onto the rolls
- Switch out damp towels as needed while cooking
Your slow cooker needs half the liquid compared to traditional recipes to work well. This becomes crucial when you adapt your favorite oven-baked recipe for the crock pot.
Checking for doneness
Crock pot cinnamon rolls don’t brown as much as their oven-baked counterparts. This makes it challenging to know the right time to stop cooking. Here’s how you can get perfect timing:
| Setting | Cooking Duration | Signs of Doneness |
|---|---|---|
| High | 1.5 hours | Edges lightly browned |
| Low | 2-2.5 hours | Center feels cakey |
| Rotating | Every 45 mins | Even cooking |
Key Indicators of Doneness:
- The center rolls should have a cakey texture under the top layer
- Light browning should appear on the sides
- Dough should feel firm, not sticky
- Internal temperature should reach 190°F
You can achieve even cooking with a simple technique. Use potholders to remove the cooking vessel and rotate it 180 degrees before placing it back in the heating element. This method will give uniform heat distribution and prevent hot spots.
Storage and Reheating Tips: Your crock pot cinnamon rolls will maintain freshness with these methods:
- Keep them in an airtight container
- Store in refrigerator up to 5 days
- Freeze them (with or without icing) up to 3 months
Reheating frozen rolls requires these steps:
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
- Heat to your preferred temperature
- Add fresh icing if desired
Time Management Tip: These rolls work great at a holiday breakfast or weekend brunch. The crock pot can keep them warm an extra hour after cooking. This makes them ideal at gatherings where serving times might vary.
Note that cooking times may vary based on your slow cooker model. Newer versions cook faster than older ones. The first time you cook with a larger slow cooker, check the rolls more often to find the right timing for your appliance.
Your crock pot breakfast will turn out better if you avoid these mistakes:
- Always use parchment paper lining
- Keep the towel from sagging onto the rolls
- Keep the lid closed during cooking
- Leave enough space in the slow cooker
These methods will help you create perfect cinnamon rolls that taste just like bakery ones. The results will be consistent every time you make them for a lazy weekend breakfast or special occasion.
Conclusion
Your crock pot can change the way you make cinnamon rolls at home. This quickest way combines ease with amazing results and creates soft, tender rolls while saving your time and oven space. You can use store-bought dough to save time or make rolls from scratch. The right technique and moisture control will guarantee tasty results. This cooking method works great for quick weekday breakfasts and holiday celebrations.
Anyone can master crock pot cinnamon rolls by following these proven steps and techniques. The right preparation, moisture control, and timing will help you create bakery-quality cinnamon rolls that your family and friends will love. These slow-cooker treats offer simple preparation and consistent results that will make this recipe a favorite in your breakfast menu.
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