This Pioneer Woman Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls recipe is a soft and buttery recipe, which is made with ground cinnamon and a luscious maple frosting. It’s the perfect weekend treat, ready in about 2 hours and 15 minutes (plus overnight chilling).
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 2 cups whole milk (16oz)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (4oz)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- 1 (.25 ounce) package Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, separated (586g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder, heaping
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for greasing pans
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (6oz)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (135g)
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the maple frosting:
- 4 ounces powdered sugar, sifted (1 cup or 115g)
- ½ teaspoon maple flavoring
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
- pinch of salt
How To Make Pioneer Woman Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Activate the Yeast: In a saucepan, gently heat the milk, oil, and sugar just until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm to the touch (95–100°F). Pour into a large bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5–10 minutes to activate and become foamy.
- Make and Rise the Dough: Stir in 4 cups of the flour until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.
- Chill the Dough: In a small bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup of flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this to the risen dough and stir well. Cover the dough and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 2 days.
- Assemble the Rolls: On a well-floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a large 30×18 inch rectangle. Brush the surface with 12 tablespoons of melted butter. In a small bowl, mix the ⅔ cup of sugar and the cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the buttered dough.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up into a tight log. Use unflavored dental floss or a very sharp knife to slice the log into 30 1-inch thick rolls.
- Second Rise and Bake: Grease three 9-inch round cake pans with the 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Place the rolls cut-side down in the prepared pans. Let them rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 375°F and bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Frost and Serve: While the rolls are baking, whisk together all the frosting ingredients until smooth. Drizzle the frosting over the warm rolls and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips
- Why chill the dough overnight? Chilling the dough is a crucial step. It develops a deeper flavor and makes the soft, enriched dough much easier to handle and roll out without sticking.
- What’s the best way to slice the rolls? Using unflavored dental floss is a fantastic trick for getting clean, perfect slices without squishing the roll. Slide a piece of floss under the log, bring the ends up, cross them over the top, and pull.
- How do I know when the rolls are perfectly baked? The rolls should be a beautiful, even golden-brown color on top, and the centers should be cooked through. If they are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.
- Can I use a different frosting? Absolutely. If you’re not a fan of maple, you can substitute the maple flavoring with vanilla extract for a classic glaze, or make a simple cream cheese frosting.
What To Serve With Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
These decadent rolls are a star on their own, but they are a perfect centerpiece for a brunch spread with:
- A side of crispy bacon or sausage
- Scrambled eggs
- A fresh fruit salad
- A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk
How To Store Cinnamon Rolls
Room Temperature: Store the cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze: These rolls freeze very well. You can freeze the baked and frosted rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or gently reheat in the microwave.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 179 kcal
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make these all in one day?
Can I use a different pan?
Why did my yeast not get foamy?
Pioneer Woman Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings30
minutes15
minutes179
kcalSoft, buttery homemade cinnamon rolls with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling and a luscious maple frosting.
Ingredients
Dough: 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup sugar, 1 packet active dry yeast, 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour (divided), ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt.
Filling: 3 tbsp melted butter (for pans), 12 tbsp melted butter, ⅔ cup sugar, 3 tbsp cinnamon.
Frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp maple flavoring, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp strong coffee, pinch of salt.
Directions
- Gently warm milk, oil, and sugar. Pour into a bowl, sprinkle with yeast, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in 4 cups of flour. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Mix remaining ½ cup flour with baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir into the dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Roll the chilled dough into a 30×18-inch rectangle. Brush with 12 tbsp melted butter and sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Roll into a tight log and slice into 30 1-inch rolls.
- Place in 3 greased 9-inch pans, let rise for 30-40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
- Whisk frosting ingredients together and drizzle over the warm rolls.
Notes
- Overnight Chill: Chilling the dough overnight is highly recommended for the best flavor and easiest handling.
- Dental Floss Trick: Use unflavored dental floss for the cleanest, most uniform cuts without squishing the rolls.
- Frosting Variations: Feel free to swap the maple flavoring for vanilla, or add a little orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give the rolls enough space in the pan to rise and bake evenly.
