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Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious cinnamon roll recipe that makes four rolls. Just enough to bake and share with another person or save for yourself. Sweet, fluffy, and the perfect treat.
This recipe took five tries before getting it right.
It was definitely an off week for me or for whatever reason, I just could not get it together and get this recipe right. The first time I made it the yeast failed to activate. I hate when that happens. The second time I made it the dough was too soft to even roll out and was a total mess. Nevertheless, I made a few adjustments with each attempt and tried it again. Then finally on recipe test number five, I had a winner.
Even food bloggers get it wrong.
I was determined to have success with this recipe. Baking is definitely an exact science and any ingredient measurement being off can cause the whole recipe to be ruined. However, when it is right and everything comes together, the resulting baked good is truly something magical. Needless to say, next week I will probably take a break from baking sweets and only share savory recipes.
Anywho…
This small batch of cinnamon rolls is sweet, soft, and fluffy. The recipe makes enough for two people to share in my opinion or just enough for one person to enjoy for a few days. This recipe requires no stand mixer or hook attachment, just a bowl and your hands.
What ingredients are needed to make cinnamon rolls?
- Instant dry yeast
- Milk
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
- Butter
- Ground cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Why use instant dry yeast and not active dry yeast?
For this recipe, I suggest using instant dry yeast because it makes the process go a little faster. However, if you prefer to use active dry yeast, then feel free to do so, just know it will require additional time to rise. If you do use active dry yeast, then add on an additional 30 minutes to each rising time in the following recipe.
Also in the packet of instant yeast, there are 2 ¼ teaspoons and for this recipe you will only need 2 teaspoons.
How to make cinnamon rolls for two:
Begin the recipe by making the dough. In a small bowl stir together the instant yeast with the warm milk and a pinch of granulated sugar. Place the mixture aside in a warm spot for about 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
Stir the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Add in the melted butter. Stir until the mixture comes together to form a dough. Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead with your hands for 5 minutes, adding an additional small amount of flour as needed. The dough will be soft but not overly sticky.
Form the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and store in a warm area to allow the dough to rise/double in size for about 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, with melted butter and set aside. Line a flat surface with parchment paper and lightly sprinkle with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle. Evenly spread the mixture on top of the dough.
Start at the shortest end of the dough and tightly roll to meet the other short end. Lightly oil a small baking dish and place the rolls into the pan. Allow them to rise for an additional 20 minutes or until they have doubled in size.
Place in the oven to bake at 400 degrees F. for 12 to 14 minutes. Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool in the pan while making the icing. Make the icing for the cinnamon rolls by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until creamy and smooth. Top the cinnamon rolls with the icing and serve immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
Can non-dairy milk be used?
Yes, you can replace the milk with any non-dairy or nut milk that you prefer. For this recipe, I do however recommend the use of whole milk or 2%.
Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 5 tablespoons warm milk (105-108 degrees F.)
- 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Filling
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Icing
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by making the dough. In a small bowl stir together the 2 teaspoons instant yeast with the 5 tablespoons warm milk and a pinch of granulated sugar. Place the mixture aside in a warm spot for about 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Add in the 3 tablespoons melted butter. Stir until the mixture comes together to form a dough. Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead with your hands for 5 minutes, adding an additional small amount of flour as needed. The dough will be soft but not overly sticky.
- Form the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and store in a warm area to allow the dough to rise/double in size for about 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, with 2 tablespoons melted butter and set aside. Line a flat surface with parchment paper and lightly sprinkle with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 5×10-inches. Evenly spread the mixture on top of the dough.
- Start at the shortest end of the dough and tightly roll to meet the other short end. Lightly oil a small baking dish and place the rolls into the pan. Allow them to rise for an additional 20 minutes or until they have doubled in size.
- Place in the oven to bake at 400 degrees F. for 12 to 14 minutes. Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool in the pan while making the icing.
- Make the icing for the cinnamon rolls by whisking together the ¾ cup powdered sugar, 2 ½ teaspoons milk, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl until creamy and smooth. Top the cinnamon rolls with the icing and serve immediately.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Want more cinnamon roll recipes? Try these:
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for these Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls? Please share them in the comments below!
Best ever!
Thank you Alli! Glad you enjoyed them!
How many rolls does this make? What size pan?
This recipe makes 4 cinnamon rolls. You can use a small baking dish or a 6-inch round cake pan.
These were delicious – LOVE small batch baking! Will definitely be making these again!
Thank you so much Doreen!!
This recipe is perfect. Love that it’s small batch. Thank you 🙂
Thank you so much Laila!!
OMG! These are the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had. I made them with my 12 year old son as he wanted cinnamon rolls for his birthday dessert. I did make 2 changes – I added 1 1/2 t of cinnamon (we are a family of cinnamon LOVERS) and I clearly cut them smaller as I ended up with 6 or 7 small rolls. I baked them for about 8 minutes. They were absolute perfection; my husband rated them higher than Cinnabon (you have no idea the level of compliment that is – cinnamon rolls are his favorite sweet)! You nailed this recipe and I am SO happy I found it!!!
Thank you for much!! So happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed these cinnamon rolls. Depending on how you cut them, you may end up with more smaller rolls and I love that you added more cinnamon!!
Do I use the same amount of active dry yeast (2 teaspoons) if I don’t have instant?
Hi Melody! Yes, use the same amount.
Hi I just made these, turned out wonderful!
Hi Maryam! Glad to hear the recipe worked well for you 🙂
Can you double the recipe? I like how it seems so easy.
Hi Amy! Yes you can 🙂
Tried this recipe and to my surprise they were delicious. I used a small pyrex dish to bake them in. Everything about the recipe was just beautiful. Thank you for posting this recipe. ” I’ve made them 5 times in 2 weeks.
Thank you! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!