Just the thought of cinnamon rolls- warm, gooey, soft, sweet- makes me literally swoon. I love them. If I were a baking superhero (I’m working on it) my weakness would be cinnamon rolls.
As much as I love the little devils (and I hate to say this) I hate to bake them. The problem is not the sweet yeast dough or the rolling or the slicing. I simply have no patience for the waiting that is required of me during the proofing, rolling, slicing and proofing again process. I realize this is totally unreasonable, but it’s just the truth.
Nicole at Baking Bites seems the understand my need for instant, yet stubbornly homemade cinnamon roll goodness.
I’d like to introduce you to Cinnamon Roll Muffins- add the yeast, subtract the long rising.
Imagine my glee when I had cinnamon roll-esque goodness coming out of my oven in well under an hour. These muffins rise for a short 15 minutes in the bowl and then are placed into a cold oven to cook as the oven preheats to 350 degrees. After 20 minutes in the oven, they’re risen and golden and bubbling with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
Filling/Topping
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground cardamom
Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Dissolve the yeast in a measuring cup filled with the warmed milk, then stir milk mixture, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.
While the dough rests, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly. Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)
Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until bread is lightly browned at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before whisking the powdered sugar and milk together to form an icing and drizzling it onto the bread.
Serve warm. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:18 am
This is just a wonderful idea! I also lack pacience sometimes. Horray for the instant gratification!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:38 am
OH. MY. !!!
I was thinking about getting up and making pancakes for the kids tomorrow before going to class, but to heck with that - it’s cinnamon roll muffins, baby! If mine turn out half as good as your pictures look (and I LOVE your photography!), then I will be able to die happy.
*drools for the rest of the day in anticipation of tomorrow’s breakfast*
September 12th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Your pictures are the greatest! Can I ask what lens you use to take the pictures?
September 12th, 2008 at 3:12 am
making these tomorrow! my gran and i used to make cinnamon rolls together (although ours were a yeast and rising free afair). now i live in her house, and cook in her kitchen. i think she’d be very pleased if i cooked these.
September 12th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Joy: I am so with you on the impatience! These looks incredible. Your photos are beautiful.
September 12th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Absolute Joy…bookmarked to make soon. They look wonderful Joy…really really nice. I’m a HUGE cinnamon fan.
September 12th, 2008 at 6:27 am
These look perfect for a crisp Fall morning! Bookmarked!
September 12th, 2008 at 6:36 am
These look sinfully delicious!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:06 am
OMG, these look amazing! What a fabulous idea, I’m often put off by the work involved of cinnamon rolls, but I do so love them!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I’m with you, I lack the patience to make proper cinnamon rolls although I do love them. The smell of cinnamon rolls baking could bring me to my knees. I will definitely be giving these a try.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I’m going to have to try these - they are just too cute to pass up!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Your photos look OUTSTANDING! I so want warm cinnamon rolls NOW with a huge glass of cold milk! YUM!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I love making cinnamon rolls but I LOVE the speed of these-and oh the cinnamon-ey (is that a word???…Is NOW!) goodness! I’ve gotta try these and soon!!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:44 am
These look wonderful, actually better than a cinnamon roll. I love scones and muffins partly because they are one handed. Thanks for the comment about people, I sometimes wonder if I am almost alone in this thought. I forgot about where you live…both of my daughters are in C.M. Orange County, so depending on traffic, 45 minutes or 3 hours from you.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Fabulous idea! All pleasure, no pain!
September 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Does the 20-minute baking time begin as soon as you put the muffins into the cold oven, or after the oven has preheated to 350 (with the muffins inside the oven while it’s preheating)?
September 12th, 2008 at 9:58 am
OH man, these look dangerous. Reminds me of a fabulous coffeecake recipe I need to make…NOW.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:39 am
These look wonderful… by the way,…my starter stinks… what should I do?
not yeasty…. it smells musty….
September 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am
This is so genius! Thanks for the recipe!
September 12th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Oh man, these look especially delicious with it being all cloudy and overcast here today.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
These look delish! Any recommendations for high altitude adjustments for this recipe? I’m at about 6,000 ft and have a hard time with getting things to rise.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Be still my heart! Instant gratification cinnamon rolls! I am all over that!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
These look delicious!!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Shauna- Thank you! I hope you enjoy them! Let me know how they turn out!
cneil- Thank you! I use a 100mm macro lens.
kitty- I love that you live and cook in your grandmothers kitchen. That’s so special. Let me know how you enjoy these!
Kristin- Thank You!
Deeba- I hope you enjoy them! I’m sure I’ll see them on your blog soon!
Ingrid- Thank you! Yes, cold milk would be just perfect!
Amber- You’re so right! Orange County is either 45 minutes away or an absolute eternity wit traffic! I never seem to get out there. I stay in the city.
Glenda- Yes the 20 minute baking time starts from the time you put the muffins in the cold oven. The muffins are inside the oven cooking while the oven heats. I know… it sounds crazy!
Sassy- lol. I know what you mean about NOW!
Missy- You have a stinky starter? Hm… it’s hard for me to know without smelling it for myself. If it doesn’t smell like something you might consider baking with, I might suggest starting over.
Gidget- Please forgive me. I have no experience with high altitude adjustments. I’m sorry!
Holly- Instant gratification just feels so good sometimes, especially when cinnamon and sugar are involved.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Wow, just the photo of the batter had me swooning! I can almost smell them from here.
September 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
MMMM! I’m wishing for these right now…
Could you adapt this recipe to use some of the starter you’ve been growing?
September 12th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I have plans for tomorrow morning… If only we didn’t have to get to a 9am soccer game.
September 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Oh my goodness! I love cinnamon rolls too… and the thought of having them (almost) in under and hour is almost too much for a girl to take, lol. They look FAN-tastic!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Joy, thanks for the quick reply on cooking time. These are on my “bake” list for this weekend =)
September 12th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Joy, you are my new hero! I read this to my family and my husband got teary eyed. Cinnamon rolls without the mess on the counter and ready in an hour. You have created heaven! And finally, a recipe that uses my favourite spice, cardamom. Thank you so much!
September 13th, 2008 at 5:06 am
these are wonderful! and they dont require a lot of *insert the f word*
P.s. F word = fat!
get it!
September 13th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Pls excuse my lame sense of humor!
September 13th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I am so making these this morning! I never want to wait for something to bake either - especially in the mornings when you wake up famished and want to reach for the first delicious thing you can find.
September 13th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I just made these and ended up with accidental cinnamon and caramel buns! I think I must have goofed when I measured up the brown sugar, because I ended up with delicious doughy little muffin-buns floating in a small sea of messy yet delectable cinnamon caramel. Oops, but in a good way.
September 13th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Well, wet my whisk! I will be making these before church tomorrow morning. What a great idea and recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. I just love your site - great recipes and the photographs are to drool over.
September 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Oh my gosh! Joy! These look incredible! I’m probably one of the few people that actually get enjoyment out of making cinnamon rolls. But I ams so making these tomorrow. Thanks for all the great recipes.
September 13th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Joy - I love your blog - you make such amazing recipes…tried a few of them so far with great results - thanks! A question for you - I’m having to stick to a dairy free diet (my 4 month old just can’t handle milk protein) so I’m having to play with recipes….do you think this recipe could be made with RiceMilk and dairy-free margarine?? (I know it doesn’t sound nearly as delicious, but what can a girl do…saw the pics of the cinnamon muffins and about fainted! LOL)
September 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Oh my, yes please!!!
September 14th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
What a yummy concept, perfect for someone like me who doesn’t have the patience to always wait for the cinnamon rolls to rise. The muffins are so cute!
September 14th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I’ve never made cinnamon rolls before and never would have known it was one of those hours-long-yeast-and-proof endeavors….that would be beyond torturous. I’m also glad to now know that there’s a solution…now if only I had the foresight to have these ready for breakfast tomorrow morning. They look awesome!
September 15th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Just made them a short while ago Joy…delicious in everyway. Loved the texture too. For some reason I got just 10 out of the batter. Should I have let the dough rise more?
September 16th, 2008 at 2:30 am
[...] While I love baking, who has time to make cinnamon rolls from scratch? Exactly neither do I, so this recipe just may be my way to have my muffin and eat it [...]
September 20th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Are you supposed to let the dough rest in the muffin tins, or in the bowl after mixing? Thanks for the recipe, what a fantastic way to start off cool fall mornings!
September 21st, 2008 at 6:43 am
These were fabulous! I made them this weekend and they were so easy and so delicious!
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
[...] of heart. It requires a serious love for pancakes. And after all this, would you believe that I’m too lazy to make cinnamon rolls!? That just doesn’t make any sense at [...]
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
it is official…. i am drooling LOL
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
I made these the day I read your post. I did go back to the cake-like version but you were the inspiration. These turned out so heavenly. Everyone loved them.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
http://www.buzzfeed.com/yacomink/bacon-cinnamon-rolls-v
thought you’d find the post of interest. . . i’m not sure frosting and bacon go together
September 27th, 2008 at 3:00 am
[...] Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins :: Joy the Baker (mmmmm… Now this just screams crisp autumn morning) [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I whipped some of these up this morning for breakfast and I have to say I have never seen my daughter that excited about food before….
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
These are perfect for me too, as I also loooove cinnamon rolls, but rarely find the time (or patience) to make them they way they should. thanks for this!
October 7th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Just added these to my to-do list. They look divine!
October 12th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Okay.. I’m making these TODAY!! YUM!! I don’t have the patience to wait, roll, cut, and wait for cinnamon rolls.. These look amazing!!!
October 15th, 2008 at 3:56 am
These look outstanding and an easy and quick way to enjoy the smell and tastes of cinnamon rolls with less work!
October 16th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I made these today. Are you supposed to let the dough rest in the muffin tins, or in the bowl after mixing?
They turned out very small and I wondered if I didn’t let them rise long enough. They are delicious tho! Also, the bits of cinnamon mix went all over the pan and did not stay on the rolls. I pushed it back on the rolls after it cooled out of the oven but then they just fell off when I took them out of the pan to frost them. I just drizzeled the frosting over the pieces of cinnamon I had put back on the rolls.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Me again…..Oh, by the way, my husband and son say these things are the most wonderful muffins. And request that I make a double batch the next time I make them. I can hear them in the kitchen now teasing each other about having another one. Very good!
October 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Those look so delicious, looking forward to seeing more recipes. I have found a number of healthy recipes over at http://www.Chefdave.com
It is the personal blog of Chef Dave Fouts. You should consider a guest recipe from him for us dieters.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:11 am
They look and sound delicious - will be trying them ASAP!
UK Foodie
http://www.ukfoodies.co.uk
November 11th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I love cinnamon rolls, so I am going to have to give this a try. Love the pics.
November 15th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Is there any way to make these yeast-free? My hubby’s allergic, and never gets cinnamon rolls! I know if I could surprise him with something similar he would flip!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am right there with you. I absolutely hate baking cinnamon rolls! These seem like a great solution.
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Great looking cinnamon rolls Joy! Thanks for sharing
zesty
November 28th, 2008 at 8:22 am
[...] turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie. But surely one of you could make these scrumptious little morsels for me, right? Because right now I can’t find the energy to get off this couch and waddle [...]
November 30th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I’m going to try these tonight, but could I make it into a cake, rather than muffins? in an english cake pan and leave it in a bit longer? yum…
December 8th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
These do look good, so I decided to make them christmas morning yay! Happy Holidays Everyone
December 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I just stumbled upon these. Yum. Add to my cinnamon roll obsession!
December 25th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Wow those look amazing!
I tried recreating it but it did not work. My muffins were not muffin-y… =(
I’m pretty sure I just didn’t follow the directions correctly.
The
“Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes…. Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)”
Is a bit confusing to me… What prepared pan? I have batter AND dough? I am so confused!
My mom tried helping me, but I’m a lost cause… Help, please?
=D
December 31st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am going to make them tomorrow morning for breakfast. And btw, your pictures look beautiful and clear
January 13th, 2009 at 11:39 am
These fantastic Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins are in my stove right now!!!!! I really adore your blog, it’s always hard for me living in France to make my favorit american cookies, cupcakes etc…. because all the recipe I find includes shortening and I don’t like shortening ( and it’s nearly impossible to find any here!!!) So I want to say THANK YOU!!!!! for giving us such good recipes, and for being so much fun reading, you lighten up my kitchen!!
January 14th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
[...] decided to post about two of my recent baking experiments at once to make up for it The first are these cinnamon roll muffins from Joy the Baker. They’re made with yeast, but only take about an hour total as opposed to [...]
January 17th, 2009 at 1:42 am
okay, tried these in a loaf pan as bread instead of buns.
in the oven for 1 hour, YUM.
everything is perfect, what an quick cheat for real yeast cake! minus the time and trouble
January 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I made these for a brunch I hosted this weekend - they were fantastic! My only issue was that the yeast turned into a big lump when I mixed it with the milk (maybe because I used whole?). Luckily I had extra and re-did it with water. They turned out great. I have been obsessed with cinnamon rolls lately and will definitely be making these on a regular basis - they are soo much easier! Thank you!
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
made these today, they’re so good and crazy simple to make.
(this is how mine came out http://twitpic.com/1bdx5)
February 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Wow! These are different! I love cinnamon rolls, so I must try them. They look so quick and easy too.
February 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
This looks absolutely delicious!
I was wondering if it would still taste fine if I take out the cardamom?
March 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Just made these. YUM!!! I’m not a huge fan of the icing, so I just left that part off. Still super delish!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
March 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 am
These are fabulous!! I just did a taste test with your version and a more traditional rolled cinnamon roll muffin at:
http://adashofsass.com/2009/03/22/cinnamon-roll-muffins/
(I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but your version won!)
Thanks for the great idea and recipe!
March 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Ohgosh I tried making these today. One suggestion I’d give is to specify how much you filled your muffin pan. I had no idea how high to fill them so I just kind of guessed and they ended up overflowing. Woops! I’ll have to try these again.
April 10th, 2009 at 11:21 am
[...] Cinnamon Bun Muffins from Joy the Baker [...]
April 10th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
[...] Here is the recipe, re-posted from The Crepes of Wrath, who found the recipe on Joy The Baker. [...]
April 11th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
[...] Cinnamon Bun Muffins from Joy the Baker [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 2:43 am
[...] Tastepsotting has resulted not only in cardamon and pistacchio cheesecake and new recipe for cinnamon rolls, but also few new blogs added to my Favourites and a new e-mail friend from another side of the [...]
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Oh YUM. I have some in the oven right this second. I’ve just found your blog, and as soon as my muffins are out of the oven, I have to go to the shop to get some peanut butter for the flourless p/b cookies…. *drool*
April 29th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
[...] Easy cinnamon rolls (baked in a muffin tin) from Joy the Baker [...]
May 1st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
[...] rezultatem szperania na Tastepsotting by? nie tylko sernik z kardamonem i pistacjami oraz bu?eczki cynamonowe robione wed?ug znacznie szybszego przepisu, ale tak?e odkrycie kilku nowych, nienznanych mi [...]
May 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I have these muffins cooling on my counter. They are so good. Thank you Joy!
May 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Just a quick note as I am on my way to the kitchen to make this recipe! Its that darn icing that gets me. As to the cinnamon and vanilla extract; I use an online Juliet Mae Spices. They have a bunch of different cinnamon’s that they grind. Also, they have great value vanilla beans. So now I make my own vanilla extract at home! Try it it makes the great greater.
May 17th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I don’t know what I did wrong, but my muffins rose over the top of the pan and most of the sugar topping melted all over the muffin tin. I thought I pressed the topping in, but apparently not well enough.
This was a big flop for me.
Maybe I’ll try just baking it in a pan like the original recipe called for.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@Mama K I had the same experience! These were a bust. I’m not sure what I did wrong but they tasted very yeasty when baked. And not at all golden and delicious. Grar! I had such high hopes. Maybe I’ll try once more.
May 25th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Hi Mama K and April- I’m so sorry that these muffins didn’t work out for you! That’s a total bummer. Give the recipe a try in a baking pan… I certainly hope you have better luck!
May 25th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Made these and they turned out wonderful! They were everything I expected and more. I love a high content of yeast in my breads so it was right on point. I only filled the tins 1/2 way and they came out exactly like your pictures. Thanks for this recipe! It is definately a keeper.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 am
This is marvelous just look at the texture of that muffin!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:16 am
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June 14th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
[...] Cinnamon Bun Muffins from Joy the Baker [...]
June 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I just made these today for the hub for Father’s Day and they are fantastic! I love that sweet yeast bread flavor with so little time. I just found this blog about a week ago and this is my first of your recipes that I’ve tried. I really look forward to trying more.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
They look absolulely delicious Joy! I attempted to make a batch of these but they don’t look like yours…I think I used too small muffin tins as mine came out the oven perfectly rounded…as any good muffin should, alas they were meant 2 be flat like yours, they still tasted lovely tho…I think there is a little difference in the measurements & weights when it comes to our different baking/cooking systems as in US you still use ounces where in Australia we use grams. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out with more practise!