Rhodes Rolls Cinnamon Rolls

These Rhodes Rolls Cinnamon Rolls curb that craving for homemade cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time! This recipe uses frozen Rhodes Rolls along with butter, cinnamon, white and brown sugar, and toasted nuts to create the most delicious cinnamon rolls without homemade dough.

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A piece of sticky bun topped with chopped nuts is placed on a small white plate in the foreground. Behind it, more sticky buns sit on a larger platter. A colorful striped cloth is partially visible underneath.

These cinnamon rolls are prepped the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is pop them in the oven. This recipe is proof that your favorite breakfast food doesn’t have to mean hard work! Perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or holiday breakfasts.

Great Reasons You Will Want to Make Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls

These Rhodes Rolls Cinnamon Rolls use frozen bread dough, cutting prep time without sacrificing that soft, gooey, homemade texture. Plus, the overnight rise and caramelized nut layer create a rich, bakery-quality flavor with minimal effort!

Flavor: You get all the ooey-gooey flavor of sticky buns paired with light and fluffy rolls.
Difficulty: Since you’re not making homemade dough from scratch, this recipe is perfect for beginners.
Time-saving tip: These easy cinnamon rolls are perfect for busy mornings because you can prep them the night before and pop them in the oven to bake the next morning!
Budget tip: All you need are frozen rolls and a few basic pantry staples to make this recipe, making it affordable for any budget.
More Sweet Breakfast Ideas: Check out these Apple Fritters or this Basic Muffin Mix Recipe!

Here’s Your Grocery List For Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Butter: Use unsalted butter for the best flavor. You’ll need 1/4 cup of melted butter and 1/4 cup of softened butter to make the brown sugar butter mixture.
Sugars: You’ll need white sugar and brown sugar for this recipe. The white sugar is used to make the cinnamon sugar mixture, while the brown sugar is used to make the brown sugar butter!
Cinnamon: You can’t have cinnamon rolls without it! Use ground cinnamon.
Frozen bread dough rolls: This recipe uses Rhodes Rolls, but any kind of frozen dinner rolls will work! You don’t need to let them thaw before making this recipe, as we’re using the rolls straight from frozen. Then, they’ll sit out overnight to rise before baking the next day.
Pecans and walnuts (optional): Toast the nuts lightly before adding them to boost their flavor!

Before You Get Started

Prep the rolls in advance: Since the frozen bread dough rolls need to rise overnight, plan ahead and prep the rolls the evening before you want to serve them.
Use the right baking dish: A deep-dish pie pan works best for this recipe to hold the gooey caramelized syrup without it spilling over. Make sure it’s greased well to prevent sticking.
Don’t skip the rising time: The rolls need time to rise and double in size overnight. If the temperature of your kitchen is especially cold, place the covered pan in a turned-off oven with the light on to create a warm environment for even rising.

How To Make Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls

A white bowl containing brown liquid with a white spatula resting inside. The bowl is against a plain white background.

Step 1: Melt Butter and Brown Sugar

Melt some butter and stir in brown sugar until it forms a thick, sugary paste.

A round white dish with a dark rim, filled with chopped pecans spread evenly across the bottom. The background is a plain white surface.

Step 2: Toast the Nuts

Toast the nuts on the stovetop until they’re lightly browned. You don’t want to burn them!

Two white bowls on a white surface. The left bowl contains melted butter, and the right bowl contains cinnamon sugar.

Step 3: Make the Dipping Mixture

Melt the other half of the butter and make the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Baking dish with round biscuits covered in cinnamon sugar on a bed of pecans; next to it are two bowls: one with melted butter and the other with cinnamon sugar mix.

Step 4: Dip the Rolls

Dip each frozen roll in the melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the rolls on top of the nut-sugar mixture.

Pro tip: Don’t place the rolls too close together. You want a little space between each one to allow them to rise.

A top view of a pull-apart bread loaf covered with cinnamon sugar, in a round baking dish with handles. The bread is golden brown and arranged in a clustered pattern, on a white background.

Step 5: Rise

Let the rolls rise overnight. They should be doubled in size and touching.

Pro Tip: After rising, you may need to shake on a little more cinnamon sugar.

A round pan holds freshly baked cinnamon rolls, with a golden-brown crust. The pan is set atop two quilted grey oven mitts, one on each side, on a white surface.

Step 6: Bake the Rolls

Bake the rolls until they’re golden brown on top.

Step 7 : Flip Onto Plate For Serving

A caramel pecan sticky bun cake with a glossy glaze, topped with chopped pecans. The cake is on a white, scalloped plate. In the background, there is a colorful striped cloth and stacked white plates.

While the rolls are still warm, grab onto the baking dish with covered hands. Flip the rolls upside down onto a plate to reveal the sticky bun mixture on top!

Illustration of a caramel syrup bottle with a brown label. The label includes the words "Caramel Syrup" and features an image of caramel cubes. The bottle has a handle and a screw cap.

Tips and Variations

Dairy-free: Use dairy-free butter and check that your frozen dough doesn’t contain dairy. The caramelized topping and cinnamon flavor will still shine.
Orange zest: Mix some orange zest into the cinnamon-sugar coating.
Maple pecan: Swap the brown sugar for maple syrup and use only pecans.
Nut-free: Skip the nuts, and you’ll still have sticky caramel rolls!
Crispier top: Let the rolls bake for a few extra minutes, then broil for a minute or two to get a crispier, golden-brown top.
Softer center: Cover the rolls with foil for the last part of baking to lock in moisture and keep the centers ultra-soft.

A sticky bun topped with chopped pecans sits on a white plate. In the background, more sticky buns can be seen on a platter. The table is covered with a pastel plaid cloth.

My Favorite Tools For Making For Making Rhodes Rolls Cinnamon Rolls

Pie Pan Dish, 9-inch with Handles

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftover cinnamon rolls?

To store leftover cinnamon rolls, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 4 days.

How do I reheat cinnamon rolls?

Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to get that gooey, fresh-from-the-oven texture. You can also reheat them in the oven! Preheat your oven to 300°F, cover the rolls with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?

Yes! You can freeze the rolls either before or after baking. Here’s how:

Before Baking: After assembling, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze. When ready to bake, let the rolls thaw and rise overnight before baking as usual.

After Baking: Let the rolls cool completely, then freeze them in a sealed container. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can I make these cinnamon rolls the same day?

Yes, but you’ll need to allow enough time for the dough to rise. To make the rolls rise faster, preheat the oven to 200°F for a couple of minutes, then turn it off. Place the covered rolls inside and let them rise in the gentle warmth.

A round, caramel-glazed sticky bun topped generously with chopped pecans, walnuts, and almonds sits on a decorative white plate. A plaid napkin is partially visible beside the plate on a white surface.

Serving Ideas

Toppings and Extras:

Classic Cream Cheese Icing: Whip up a quick cream cheese icing to drizzle over the warm rolls for extra tangy sweetness.
Fresh Fruit: Top with sliced strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a fresh, fruity contrast to the gooey cinnamon filling.
Drinks: Since these rolls are pretty sweet, you can pair them with an Oat Milk Latte to balance them out!

Make-Ahead Tip:

If you’re feeding a hungry crowd or have a busy week planned, make a double batch and store them in the freezer. Whenever you want an easy breakfast you can pop them in the microwave!

Serve It Up:

Planning a special occasion like a big brunch? Serve these up with some savory options like Oven-Cooked Bacon, Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage, and Bacon and Tomato Egg Bites! You can find more delicious breakfast recipes on Simply Breakfast Recipes.