Cinnamon Rolls made using Frozen Bread Dough is a great way to enjoy the taste of homemade cinnamon rolls without the stress of working with a yeast dough like a few of our other Best Cinnamon Roll Recipes. Let me show you a very easy way to bake semi-homemade cinnamon rolls for your family.
This recipe tastes as good as homemade cinnamon rolls with homemade cream cheese frosting, only without all the work involved with a traditional yeast roll recipe.
This recipe is also another Christmas Breakfast Recipe that’s perfect all year long. It’s even great if you want to make something special for the weekend for your family. Maybe you’re celebrating a birthday or family is coming over to visit.
Bread Dough Recipes
There's nothing wrong with yeast dough! I love creating yummy breads like my Amish White Bread recipe and my Homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
Both of those recipe use a yeast dough but sometimes we just don't have all the time required to make homemade bread dough recipes. Which is why I like using Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough.
Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough
This recipe uses Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough which is perfect when you don't have the time to make homemade dough. Or maybe you haven't quite mastered working with a yeast dough recipe.
Your family will love the taste of these cinnamon rolls and you'll love that you can have them on the breakfast table without all the fuss of a traditional cinnamon roll recipe that uses yeast dough.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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- Parchment Baking Sheets - waxed paper works too when you're rolling out the frozen bread dough.
- Rolling pin - invest in a good rolling pin. I have a few that I love to use.
- Pastry brush - to help spread the butter. Make sure you use a silicon pastry brush.
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Main Ingredients Needed
Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!
For the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough; thawed - seen not above for how to thaw the dough.
For the Frosting:
- Cream cheese; softened
- Butter; softened
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
- Milk - you'll need just a few drops to get the consistency of the frosting right.
How to Thaw Frozen Bread Dough
To use Rhodes Frozen 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 once the dough is defrosted.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1 | Prepare the Bread Dough
- 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.
- Or you can roll it out on a floured surface or even use parchment baking sheets.
Step 2 | Spread with Melted Butter
- Spread the dough with the melted butter.
- You can use a knife, but I really like using a pastry brush.
Step 3 | Add the Brown Sugar Mixture
- Spread with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- You can add chopped pecans too!
Step 4 | How to Roll up the Dough
- Starting from end start rolling the dough up.
- Make sure you tuck the ends under and press the seam firmly.
Step 5 | How to Slice the Cinnamon Rolls
- I like to use a serrated knife to cut the cinnamon rolls. Some people like to use dental floss. I've never tried that method. If you do, make sure you use the unflavored dental floss, okay?
- Depending on how thick you slice the rolls, you should be able to get eight to ten nice sized cinnamon rolls.
Step 6 | Rising Instructions
- You can cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap if you want. But make sure you place them in a warm, draft-free area in your kitchen. I like to place them either on the stove top or inside the microwave...but do not turn the microwave on, okay?
- 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.
Step 7 | Baking Instructions
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until they're slightly browned and the centers are set.
- You could bake these semi-homemade cinnamon rolls in an air fryer if you have the proper baking pan. Bake them at 350°F for about 12 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions
- 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.
Baking Tip: If you add the cream cheese icing too soon, you'll have a gooey mess on your hands. So be patient and wait about 20 minutes.
Cinnamon Rolls made using Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough is easy! If using yeast dough is scary, try this recipe! Your family is going to love them!
Looking for MORE Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Ideas?
- Freezer Friendly Cinnamon Rolls - I gave these as gifts a few years ago to family and friends. Printables available too!
- Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole - uses refrigerator cinnamon rolls to create a delicious casserole that's easy to put together!
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast - combines both my love of French toast and cinnamon rolls in one easy recipe that's ready in under 20 minutes!
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
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.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to rate it!
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How to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls using Frozen Bread Dough
An easy recipe for almost homemade cinnamon rolls using frozen bread dough!
Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough; thawed
- 4 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese; softened
- ¼ cup butter; softened
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Few drops of milk if necessary
Instructions
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 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.
For the cream cheese icing:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the softened butter.
- Add the vanilla.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Frost the cinnamon rolls after they've cooled for about 20 minutes.
Notes
How to Defrost the 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.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 293Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 155mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 0gSugar: 32gProtein: 2g
The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.
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!
Gina says
Hello! What kind of frozen bread do you recommend?
Lois says
I usually use Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough. Let me know if you try the recipe!
Elizabeth Edgerton says
My grandson and I just took bread dough out of freezer to make cinnamon rolls tomorrow morning, thanks for the recipe
Lois says
Thank you for the comment! Enjoy!
Mary says
Alot of recipes call for drizzling heavy cream over the dough before baking the rolls. Do you know what is the purpose of this?
Lois says
I don't know the purpose of that and haven't really seen any recipes that call for it. Interesting. Thanks for visiting!
Charlene says
I have seen recipes for that and tried it just today. I think it is supposed to make a caramel- like taste to the rolls. I really couldn't tell too much difference in my rolls, but I liked them. I would do it again.
Lois says
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe! If you're looking for a caramel cinnamon bun, try my Mini Pecan Cinnamon Rolls that also use the frozen bread dough ---> https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/mini-pecan-cinnamon-rolls/
Roberta says
It makes them gooeyer. Warm the cream before pouring over rolls
Danielle says
Hi, these look delish! Can the frozen bread loaf be put in a gallon size ziplock baggie to thaw overnight in the fridge or do you use plastic wrap because it has to be tight against the dough? Thanks!
Jessica says
My grandma used to make these and were my favorite! I’ve tried several times using the Rhodes frozen dough but each time, the dough is super tough and elastic. I’ve tried flour and a lot of muscle but with no success. Should i warm up the dough a little bit? It also does not rise very well. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Cassie says
What size pan do you use with this recipe?
Lois says
I tried to email you personally a few times Cassie, your email always came back to me. For this recipe you can use an 8 inch pie plate or a 8X8 baking pan, even a 9X12 baking pan will work. It really depends on how thick you slice the cinnamon rolls. Thanks for visiting!
Pat says
Love using frozen dough. What makes the roll kind of tough when cooled
Pat says
‘I was told to oil table before rolling out instead of flour which is less messy but would that make a difference in texture
Lois says
I have never heard of this so I'm not sure if that's making your dough tough. Try it next time with just a little flour when rolling out the dough to see if that helps. That is how I work with bread dough. Thank you for visiting.
Madelaine says
Hallo :-). Just need advice, first in the recipe the instructions says to wait a bit before pooring over the frosting, that it should first otherwise you will have a goey mess, but at the bottom of the recipe it says to poor it over immediately when its hot?
Lois says
I sent you a personal email as well Madelaine. The recipe doesn't say to pour over immediately when it's hot. I recommend waiting for the rolls to cool slightly. I hope this helps you!
Lea says
Made these today for my Sunday school class. They were delicious. One guy ate 3!! I doubled the recipe and had lots of icing left over. I laid the frozen bread loafs (2) out on Friday evening. Then on Saturday evening I made the rolls, then refrigerated them overnight then took them out of the refrigerator about an hour before I planned to bake them. They rose in the refrigerator quite a bit. I baked them for about 18 minutes, then covered with the icing. The only problem I had was in rolling them out. Because of the yeast when I would roll the dough it sprang back, lol. But I finally won the battle. I think next time, and there will be a next time, I will put some caramel in the icing.
Lois says
Love the idea of adding caramel to the icing! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know how the recipe came out for you!
Marisa Franca says
YUM!! I can smell them now! Love the cinnamon smell plus bread baking. There is nothing better!! And what a fantastic idea to have the frozen bread dough ever ready so that you can whip up a batch of sweet rolls in no time at all. I'm putting frozen bread dough on my grocery list.
Julie says
I’ve tried these twice now and the rolls didn’t rise or double in size either time. What am I doing wrong? How big should the rectangle be? Am I maybe rolling the dough too thin? The flavor was great but the texture is not.
Lois says
Hi Julie!
Please try to roll the dough out into a 12 X 9 inch rectangle and then add the cinnamon/sugar topping. You should get around 12 rolls once you slice them. I hope this works out for you!
Debbie says
What are the approximate dimensions of the rectangle once rolled out? Sorry, but I need specific instructions. Thanks.
Lois says
Hi Debbie, I've never measured the dough when making cinnamon rolls, but I would think rolling the dough out into a 12 X 9 inch rectangle would be good. Let me know how the recipe works for you! Thanks for visiting.
Edna says
Can you use pizza dough for this recipe to instead of frozen bread dough?
Lois says
I sent you a personal email Edna replying to this, so please check your spam folder to make sure you received it. I have never tried this recipe using pizza dough, but I do think you could! I would love for you to let me know how it turns out for you. Thank you for visiting.
Veena Azmanov says
I make cinnamon bread but never made it with store-bought bread. This would be perfect for those lazy weekends when you just too lazy to move a muscle. Can't wait to try.
Jolina says
I don't mind making bread with yeast though I love using frozen bread dough sometimes. So convenient in a pinch! Homemade cinnamon rolls are the best, and kitchen just smells so amazing!
Lois says
I enjoy baking with yeast as well and I enjoy having a shortcut recipe on hand as well too! Thanks for visiting.
Denise says
I love that you used frozen dough for these because I am not much of a baker. My 14 yo son would love me forever if I make these. I am going to give this a try this weekend!
Lois says
Would love for you to comment back on how they turned out for you. Thank you for visiting.
Gloria says
I love having cinnamon buns on the weekend. These look super delicious. Using store-bought dough makes things easier to prepare too. Can't wait to give these a try.
Lois says
Thanks for visiting Gloria!
Donna says
I am making cinnamon rolls from Rhodes bread dinner rolls is a recipe still the same for everything
Lois says
I've never made this recipe using dinner rolls, so I can't really answer your question. If you have the Rhodes frozen bread loaves, that would be better. Thank you for visiting.
AK says
Approximately how many will 1 load make?
I'm am needing to make about 48 cinnamon rolls.
Lois says
Depending on how thick you slice them, you could get anywhere from 8 to 12 rolls per frozen loaf of bread. Hope that helps you! Thank you for visiting.
Kristin says
We love breakfast at our house! These look amazing and so doable for me! I'm inspired! Thank you for linking up at Share Your Style. I will be sharing your post tomorrow as one of my features!
Lois says
Thank you for featuring my recipe! Love joining your parties!
jami says
how long usually does it take dough to double in size ?
Lois says
Hi Jami! Depending on how warm your kitchen is, they should double in size in about an hour. Thank you for visiting!
Trish says
Once these have baked can you freeze any leftovers (without the icing)? My little one loves cinnamon rolls finally and i would like to make a big batch and just warm them up in the microwave in the a.m. for quick breakfast. Thanks!!
Lois says
Yes! You could definitely freeze these BEFORE baking! Once you have the cinnamon rolls put together and sliced, place them in the freezer on a baking tray that's been lined with parchment paper. Freeze for about 30 minutes and then remove from the tray and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to serve them to your little one, just remove the number of rolls you need and allow them to defrost and come to room temperature before baking. Thank you for visiting!
Karen Franco says
You should include instructions for thawing the dough
Lois says
To use a frozen dough loaf, 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.
Thank you for visiting Karen!
Laura Adams says
Hi Lois, I just wanted to add a tip that I've been using for years: I thaw two loaves at a time in my microwave. I rub butter or shortening lightly all over the frozen loaves, to keep them from forming a crust on top, then place in a small Pyrex baking dish that fits in my microwave. I microwave on '3' power, in 90-second increments - it usually takes about 4 1/2 minutes to thaw pretty well, then I let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes, and it's ready to proceed with a recipe. Works like a charm! Thanks for this recipe!
Lois says
Thank you so much for the great tip! I'll have to try that sometime soon. Thanks for visiting.
Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says
Mouth is watering here! I love this because I am a failure with any yeast dough so I COULD do this!
Tracy @ Our Simple Homestead says
This is a great quick breakfast. They look yummy!!!
Sandra Lee says
Yeast and I don't get along very well and this is an awesome shortcut. Thank you!
Bev Carter says
Wow, these cinnamon rolls look so yummy. Like the fact that they use frozen dough. Easy to make.
Hugs,
Bev