Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Cinnamon Rolls)

These crescent roll cinnamon rolls are perfect for when you're craving homemade cinnamon rolls but want to skip the work. They're sure to become a family favorite in no time!

a bite from a crescent roll cinnamon roll on a white plate.

In This Post

The Best Recipe for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Key Ingredients Needed
Step by Step: How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Using Crescent Roll Dough
Options for the Icing
Can I Use Seamless Crescent Roll Dough Instead of Crescent Roll Dough?
Tips & Tricks for Quick Cinnamon Rolls
FAQ About Cinnamon Rolls Made With Crescent Rolls
More Breakfast Recipes
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

We've all had one of those mornings: the craving for warm, homemade cinnamon rolls hits. But, then reality sets in remembering the time and effort involved before they even make it to the oven. Trust me, I've been there too- not fun.

Since then, I've been brainstorming ways to whip up quick cinnamon rolls with minimal ingredients in a fraction of time than the traditional recipe, while maintaining that irresistible texture and flavor that we adore. These cinnamon rolls made from crescent rolls come highly requested from my family- for a good reason. And I promise, making (and devouring) these is 100x more satisfying that you'd think!

bite taken out of crescent roll cinnamon rolls with a fork and pie dish in the background.

The Best Recipe for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, tender, and buttery
The same classic cinnamon rolls taste in just 30 minutes!
Minimal ingredients and effort for those tired mornings
Filled with a thick cinnamon sugar swirl
Generously slathered with cream cheese frosting (or your favorite icing)
Easy for beginners or perfect to make with kids
Can easily be made ahead of time
Perfect for a special breakfast, weekend brunch, or just because!

crescent roll cinnamon rolls ingredients such as brown sugar, crescent roll dough, cinnamon and butter.

Key Ingredients Needed

Crescent Roll Dough: There are two types of crescent roll dough that you typically find at the grocery store- crescent rolls sheets (without seams) and regular crescent dough (with seams). The only difference is one has the seams while the other doesn't, either can be used. You'll need to two packages of the dough.
Butter: Use super-soft butter for the filling- not melted, but it's important too have it at room temperature. If the butter is too hard it won't spread easily over the soft dough.
Brown Sugar: Using brown sugar vs. granulated sugar gives these cinnamon rolls extra flavor.
Cinnamon: You can't have crescent roll cinnamon rolls without it!

spreading butter on crescent roll dough for cinnamon rolls.

sprinkling brown sugar and cinnamon on crescent roll dough for cinnamon rolls.

slicing cinnamon rolls with a sharp knife.

Step by Step: How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Using Crescent Roll Dough

Preheat the oven to 425ºF and spray a 9-inch or 10-inch pie dish or baking pan lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside. Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Place both sheets of crescent roll dough on top of each other on a lightly floured sugar and, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9x12-inch rectangle. See my tips for using crescent roll dough with seams.
Spread the softened butter (the softer it is (but not melted), the easier it is to spread) all over the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the top. Roll it up into a 12-inch log. Using a very sharp knife, cut into 10 rolls; each roll will be slightly wider than 1 inch. Arrange the rolls into the prepared pan.
While the cinnamon rolls bake, make the icing. Beat together the cream cheese and butter using a hand or stand mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy. Then, beat in the powdered sugar, heavy creamy and vanilla until combined. Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls.

baked cinnamon rolls in a pie dish using crescent rolls.

Options for the Icing

Whenever I think of traditional cinnamon rolls I immediately think of a hefty amount cream cheese frosting smeared on top. To make cream cheese frosting you need room temperature cream cheese and butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla.

cream cheese frosting in a clear bowl with a white spatula.

Can I Use Seamless Crescent Roll Dough Instead of Crescent Roll Dough?

Yes, absolutely! The difference between the crescent roll sheets dough and regular crescent roll dough is the seam- using the sheets saves you a few minutes but otherwise are the exact same.

Tip for Crescent Roll Dough with Seams: Before rolling, overlap the seams by ¼-inch and pinch together. This ensures that it will stay together.

Tips & Tricks for Quick Cinnamon Rolls

Use Room Temperature Dough: The container that the crescent roll dough comes in prevents it from rising further (it's why they are packaged a very specific way.) If you have the time, open the dough and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes or delay preheating the oven until after you make the cinnamon rolls allowing them to sit in the dish. It's not required but it does allow the dough to rise slightly.
Use a Sharp Knife: Use a VERY sharp knife to cut the cinnamon rolls as the dough can be sticky. You can also spray the knife with a little nonstick spray.
Extra Buttery Rolls: If you want extra buttery rolls, grease the baking dish with 2 teaspoons of melted butter instead of nonstick spray.
Larger Rolls: If you want larger rolls, roll it into the same 9x12-inch rectangle and roll it into the 12-inch log. Then, cut into 6 rolls; each roll will be about 2 inches. For the bake time, see the notes in the recipe card.

crescent rolls cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing in a pie dish.

FAQ About Cinnamon Rolls Made With Crescent Rolls

What size pan should I use to bake cinnamon crescent rolls?

This recipe makes 9-10 rolls which fits comfortably in a 9-inch or 10-inch pan like a pie dish, round cake pan or square baking pan.

Can crescent roll cinnamon rolls be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer?

The rolls can be assembled ahead of time, up to the night before. If longer than 1 hour, cover and refrigerate and bake as directed. Baked (unfrosted) or unbaked rolls can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed. For baked rolls, warm up before adding the icing.

Can I bake these as cinnamon roll muffins?

You can bake these rolls lightly greased standard 12-count muffin pan (there is no need for muffin liners.) Bake at 425º for 7 minutes, then keeping them in the oven reduce the temperature to 375ºF and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes. If you notice the tops are getting too brown too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil and continue baking.