Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Ooey Gooey)

Cinnamon rolls are the kind of treat that instantly makes any morning feel special. These one hour cinnamon rolls are soft, buttery, and packed with gooey cinnamon-sugar filling—all topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. The best part? You can have them on the table in just 60 minutes. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or a weekend baking project, this recipe is reliable, fast, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• Ready in 1 hour—no overnight rise
• Super soft and fluffy texture
• Sweet cinnamon swirl in every bite
• Cream cheese icing that melts perfectly
• Easy to freeze and reheat later

Ingredients

For the Dough

• ½ cup milk (warm, 100–110°F)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp salt
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)

For the Filling

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast
   Combine warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the dough
   Stir in the egg and salt. Gradually add flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms. Knead by hand or with a mixer for 5 minutes.
3. Proof briefly
   Cover the dough and place in a warm oven (turned off) for 10 minutes to rise slightly.
4. Make the filling
   In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Roll and fill
   Roll dough into a 14×18-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly to edges. Roll up tightly from the short side to form a log.
6. Slice and arrange
   Slice into 12 rolls using a serrated knife. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Bake
   Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until golden. Cool for 10 minutes.
8. Ice and serve
   Beat icing ingredients until smooth. Spread over warm rolls and serve.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 12 rolls

Nutrition Facts (per roll)

• Calories: 310
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 13g
• Sugar: 21g
• Sodium: 140mg

Tips & Variations

• Don’t skip the yeast foam test—if it doesn’t foam, start over.
• Add chopped pecans or raisins to the filling for a twist.
• Use dental floss to slice rolls cleanly without squishing the dough.
• Want a lighter version? Halve the icing or skip cream cheese.
• Freeze after baking—they reheat beautifully in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the rolls and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before baking.

Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze unfrosted baked rolls. Reheat at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, then frost.

What if I don’t have cream cheese?
Use a basic glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla instead.

Can I use instant yeast?
Yes. Just mix it right into the flour and skip the activation step.

Cinnamon Rolls

These one hour cinnamon rolls are fluffy, rich, and topped with smooth cream cheese icing—ready in 60 minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• **Dough**
• – ½ cup warm milk
• – ¼ cup melted butter
• – 2 tbsp sugar
• – 1 packet active dry yeast
• – 1 egg
• – ½ tsp salt
• – 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• **Filling**
• – ⅓ cup butter softened
• – ½ cup brown sugar
• – 1 tbsp cinnamon
• – 1 tsp vanilla
• **Icing**
• – 4 oz cream cheese softened
• – 1 cup powdered sugar
• – 1 tsp vanilla
• – 2–3 tbsp milk

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Rolling Pin
• – Serrated knife
• – 9×13″ baking dish
• Electric mixer

Method

 

1. Mix warm milk, butter, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 10 mins.
2. Add egg, salt, and flour. Knead 5 mins.
3. Cover dough, proof in warm oven for 10 mins.
4. Mix filling: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla.
5. Roll dough to 14×18”, spread filling.
6. Roll up, slice into 12 pieces.
7. Place in greased 9×13” dish.
8. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 mins.
9. Cool 10 mins. Beat icing and spread over rolls.

Notes

– Use floss to slice rolls cleanly.
– Substitute glaze for a lighter icing.
– Freeze unfrosted rolls up to 3 months.

Conclusion

These one hour cinnamon rolls are soft, gooey, and loaded with cinnamon flavor—everything you want in a homemade treat. The quick-rise dough makes them totally doable on any morning, and the rich icing takes them over the top. Once you try them, you might never go back to store-bought again.