These semi-homemade cinnamon rolls start with a package of crescent rolls. Add the cinnamon filling, a secret ingredient, and bake. They are ready in minutes!
Use Crescent Rolls for Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are a big hit at my house! The smell of baking cinnamon rolls brings the whole family together! The only downside is the time it takes to make homemade ones. These semi-homemade rolls are as convenient as refrigerated store-bought rolls but are tasty like homemade rolls. They start with crescent rolls. I used Sweet Hawaiian Crescent Rolls, but you can use regular ones instead.
Homemade Filling for Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls have a homemade filling of cinnamon and dark brown sugar. You can substitute light brown sugar if that is what you have on hand. The similarity between the two sugars is that they both contain molasses. The difference between them is dark brown sugar has almost twice the amount of molasses in it as light brown sugar, which gives it a more complex taste.
How to Assemble Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
To assemble the cinnamon rolls, follow these steps:
- Open the can of crescent rolls and unroll them.
- Break them apart at the perforated seams.
- Brush them with softened butter.
- Add the cinnamon sugar, pressing it into the dough to make it stick.
- Roll up the crescent rolls, starting with the flat end.
- Place them into a large baking dish.
Secret Ingredient for Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
After you roll up the crescent rolls, sprinkle them with any excess sugar mixture that fell off when you rolled them. Then add the secret ingredient that takes them from run-of-the-mill cinnamon rolls to melt-in-your-mouth rolls: vanilla-flavored half and half. Half and half is an equal mixture of whole milk and cream. You can buy it premade or make your own. Add vanilla extract to flavor it. Then pour it around the rolls.
Make the Frosting
Mix the frosting while the cinnamon rolls bake. It is a mixture of melted butter, sugar, flavoring, and cream. If you want to make the rolls less decadent, omit the frosting. Don’t worry because they will still be delicious!
Add the frosting to the cooked rolls. Eat them warm for the best taste!
Other Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Star-Shaped Waffles
- Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Orange Rolls
- Orange Rolls Reimagined
- Blue Ribbon Lemon Muffins
- Japanese Pancakes
- Croissant Bread Pudding
Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- 1 package crescent rolls (8 pack)
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar (do not pack sugar)
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cream, room temperature or slightly warm
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Frosting
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cream
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Cinnamon Rolls
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
- Unroll the crescent rolls and spread the butter evenly on each roll. Then sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture on each roll.
- Roll up the crescent rolls, starting with the flat end rather than the pointed end.
- Place the rolled-up crescent rolls into a 9 x 11-inch baking dish. Separate them to give them room for rising during baking. Mix the cream and vanilla together and pour the mixture around the cinnamon rolls. Do not pour it directly onto the rolls.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
Frosting
- Add the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt to a small bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Spread frosting over the cooked cinnamon rolls.