Are you craving warm, gooey cinnamon rolls but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen? This recipe uses Pillsbury biscuits to create a delicious, homemade treat in a fraction of the time. It's the perfect solution for a quick dessert, a satisfying breakfast, or an impressive treat for unexpected guests. Get ready to enjoy the irresistible aroma and taste of cinnamon rolls without the lengthy preparation! This easy recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and those looking for a simple, delicious shortcut.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (16.3 ounces) Pillsbury Grands! Refrigerated biscuits
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
- Cream cheese frosting (recipe below)
Instructions:
Preparing the Cinnamon Filling:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. If using, stir in the pecans or walnuts.
Assembling the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Separate the biscuits and gently flatten each one with your hand or a rolling pin. Don't flatten them too much, just enough to make them slightly larger and easier to spread.
- Spread a spoonful of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over each flattened biscuit.
- Roll up each biscuit tightly, starting from one of the longer sides.
- Place the rolled-up biscuits, seam-down, in the prepared baking pan.
Baking and Frosting:
- Pour the milk or cream evenly over the cinnamon rolls in the pan. This will help keep them moist and adds richness.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as ovens can vary.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before frosting.
- Frost generously with your favorite cream cheese frosting (recipe below).
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls:
- For extra flavor, use real butter instead of margarine.
- Don't over-bake the cinnamon rolls; they should be golden brown but not overly hard.
- Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of light and dark brown sugar.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts or add raisins to the filling.
Variations:
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1/2 cup chopped apples to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Mix in 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Maple Cinnamon Rolls: Drizzle maple syrup over the baked rolls after frosting.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and serving size. Nutritional information is best calculated using a nutrition calculator online with your exact ingredients and serving size. However, expect this to be a moderately high calorie, high-sugar dessert.
This quick and easy cinnamon roll recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. Enjoy this delicious homemade treat! It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion, and a perfect example of how easy and delicious homemade cooking can be.