Learn how to make cinnamon rolls from frozen bread dough using Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough for bakery-style flavor - no yeast required!
Simply thaw the dough, roll it out and spread the filling, then slice, place the rolls in a baking dish, cover, let them rise and bake until golden.
Before you know it, you'll be enjoying one or our best cinnamon roll recipes at home without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Cook/Bake: 25 min | Difficulty: Easy
What it is: Fluffy, bakery-style cinnamon rolls made with frozen bread dough so you can enjoy warm, gooey swirls of cinnamon-sugar without the work of making dough from scratch.
Why you’ll love it: A shortcut recipe that delivers homemade taste without the need for proofing yeast.
How to make it: Thaw Rhodes frozen bread dough, roll it out, spread with butter, cinnamon, and sugar, then slice and bake until golden and fragrant. Drizzle with homemade cream cheese frosting while still warm for that classic cinnamon-roll finish.
👉 Click HERE to grab my Cinnamon Rolls eBook—packed with easy, mouthwatering recipes that transform simple rolls into irresistible treats!
Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
Made these twice already & they are the Best Cinnamon Rolls I've ever Made !!! Perfection!!
~Tina
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
- Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough
- How to thaw frozen bread dough for cinnamon rolls?
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Baking Instructions
- Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage, Freezing, Reheating Tips
- More Cinnamon Rolls to Love
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Recipe FAQ's
- Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
- 💬 Comments
Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough
Using Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough is the easiest way to enjoy soft, bakery-style cinnamon rolls without mixing or kneading yeast dough.
I’ve been making this recipe for over 20 years, and they never disappoint. They're perfect for busy mornings or holiday brunches.
Looking for more Breakfast Ideas using Frozen Bread Dough? Try my Mini Pecan Cinnamon Rolls or my Pecan Sticky Buns...yum!
How to thaw frozen bread dough for cinnamon rolls?
All you need to do is remove the frozen dough from the package, place it on a lightly floured surface and let it come to room temperature until it is soft and pliable. If you prefer you can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator so it is ready to roll and fill the next morning.
Check out the full instructions for Freezer-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls and the printable gift labels with baking instructions.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Ingredients You'll Need
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Homemade yeast dough/crescent roll dough / puff pastry: You can also make the rolls using homemade yeast dough for a traditional flavor, or swap in crescent roll or puff pastry dough for a quicker, flakier version with a pastry-like texture.
Pull-apart style / monkey bread style — Cut the dough into cubes, toss them in the filling mixture, then place in a bundt pan (monkey-bread style).
Ready to Bake Rolls - If you want an even easier option, check out my How to Bake Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls.
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Once the frozen dough is thawed, roll out the dough into a rectangle shape. You can see that I'm rolling the dough right out on a piece of waxed paper.
Step 2: Spread the dough with the melted butter. You can use a knife, but I really like using a pastry brush.
Step 3: Spread with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. You can add chopped pecans too!
Step 4: Starting from end start rolling the dough up.
Step 5: Make sure you tuck the ends under and press the seam firmly.
Step 6: Use a serrated knife to slice the cinnamon rolls. Depending on how thick you slice the rolls, you should be able to get eight to ten nice sized cinnamon rolls.
Step 7: Allow the cinnamon rolls to rise until they are doubled in size. This could take 60 minutes or more. It all depends on how warm your kitchen is. You could also cover the cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate and bake in the morning.
Baking Instructions
Step 8: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Or until they're slightly browned and the centers are set.
Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
Step 9: Prepare the cream cheese icing by combining the icing ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before adding the icing.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO: Let the frozen bread dough rise fully before baking to ensure light and fluffy cinnamon rolls.
❌ DON’T: Rush the baking process by using dough that’s still partially frozen—it won’t bake evenly and may stay dense in the center.
Storage, Freezing, Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Once cooled, store them in an airtight container and they should be good for up to four days stored in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Freeze leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to three months. Make sure they're completely cooled before freezing to prevent sogginess.
Thawing and Reheating: Thaw frozen cinnamon rolls overnight in the refrigerator. The next morning, bake in a dish for 10-15 minutes, leaving space between each roll.
More Cinnamon Rolls to Love
Looking for inspiration? Check out my Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls or Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls recipes next.
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📖 Recipe Card
Cinnamon Rolls Frozen Bread Dough
Video
Ingredients
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough thawed
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Few drops of milk if necessary
Method
- On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle.
- Spread the melted butter on top of the bread dough.
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon together and spread it over the top of the butter on the bread dough.
- Beginning at one end, roll the dough up into a log.
- Slice the log into 2 inch thick rolls and place in a greased pan.
- Cover with a cloth and allow the rolls to rise in a warm area until they have doubled in size. Depending on how warm your kitchen is, this could take 60 minutes.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are browned.
- Allow to cool slightly before adding the cream cheese icing; about 20 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the softened butter.
- Add the vanilla.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before frosting.
Nutrition
Notes
How to Defrost the Bread Dough
- Remove a loaf from the freezer the night before you plan on making the cinnamon rolls. Wrap the loaf of dough in plastic wrap and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Continue with the recipe as directed when the dough is defrosted.
- You may need to add a few drops of milk to the icing while mixing if it's not creamy enough.
Prep Ahead Instructions
- To make the cinnamon rolls ahead of time, simply prepare them as usual but instead of allowing them to rise, cover and refrigerate them overnight.
- The next morning, remove them from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature then bake as directed above.
To Give Cinnamon Rolls as Gifts
- Check out the full instructions for Freezer-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls and the printable gift labels with baking instructions.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Place the frozen dough on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. But first you should spray the plate and the plastic wrap with non-stick baking spray so the dough doesn't stick as it defrosts. Microwave the dough on high for 25 seconds. Remove the dough, flip and return to the microwave for another 25 seconds. You can also use the defrost setting for 3 to 5 minutes.
Frozen bread dough can be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store or big box store like Walmart.
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Nancy says
These we’re so easy and so yummy
Lois says
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe as much as my family does!
Paula says
I love using frozen bread dough for a lot of things. It's so convenient. These sound so good. I can't wait to try this.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend. I'm so happy you're here.
Maria says
These were so easy, and so good! Next time I would either thin out the icing more, or put it on the cinnamon rolls sooner. I waited the suggested 20 minutes, and it just didn’t get ooey gooey and melt into the rolls like in your photo. But the taste is amazing!
Lois says
Thank you for your comment and 5-star review! I updated the recipe with your suggestion!
Stacey B says
This makes Cinnamon rolls SO EASY! Love this!
Made mine in Texas Muffin tins, they came out so soft and fluffy!
I'm going to have to try them with brown sugar and pecans for sticky rolls!
Lois says
I already have the recipe for you! https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/mini-pecan-cinnamon-rolls/
I hope you try it! Thanks for the 5 star review!
JoAnna says
Mine roll wouldnt pinch closed. Perhaps I used too much flour on my surface? Otherwise they came
out great, just not perfectly round.
Lois says
Maybe you added too much filling? I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for the 5 stars!!!
Tina says
Made these twice already & they are The Best Cinnamon Rolls I've ever Made !!!Perfection!!
Lois says
Wow—thank you so much for the kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the cinnamon rolls enough to make them twice already. 🥰 It makes my day to hear they turned out perfect for you!
Ethel says
Would love to try these. What size pan do you use for making these? Would a 9X13” pan be too large? Thanks!
Lois says
One loaf of bread dough should give you 10-12 rolls, depending on how thick you slice them. You can use a 9x13" pan or a round cake/pie pan. I used a smaller baking dish because for the photos I only made 8. Hope you enjoy the recipe!