Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix Cinnamon Rolls (So Easy!)

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I’m going to be straight with you – I love homemade cinnamon rolls, but I don’t always love the hours of work they require. That’s why this recipe using Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix is my secret weapon. Here’s what makes it so brilliant:

It’s genuinely foolproof. The hot roll mix already has the flour, yeast, and other dry ingredients perfectly measured and blended. You literally can’t mess up the dough because the hard part is already done for you.

It cuts your time in half. Traditional cinnamon rolls need two rises and take 3-4 hours total. These? About 50 minutes from start to finish. Same soft, fluffy texture, fraction of the time.

They taste completely homemade. Nobody – and I mean NOBODY – will guess you used a box mix. These taste bakery-quality with that perfect soft, pillowy texture and gooey cinnamon filling.

The instructions are beginner-friendly. Even if you’ve never made yeast dough before, the Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix instructions are so clear that you’ll nail it on the first try.

You probably have everything you need. Hot roll mix, butter, brown sugar, and cream cheese. That’s basically it. No specialty ingredients, no last-minute store runs.

What is Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix

If you’ve never used Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix before, let me introduce you to one of the best baking shortcuts ever created. It’s a boxed mix that contains pre-measured flour, yeast, sugar, and other dry ingredients needed to make soft, fluffy yeast rolls. Think of it like a cake mix, but for bread.

The box comes with:

• The dry mix (flour, yeast blend, sugar, salt)
• A separate yeast packet
• Instructions for various recipes

Where to find it: Look for it in the baking aisle near the other Pillsbury products. It comes in a rectangular box and is usually near the bread mixes. You can also order it online if your local store doesn’t carry it.

What you can make with it: While the box is designed for dinner rolls, it’s incredibly versatile. You can use Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix for cinnamon rolls (obviously!), dinner rolls, pizza dough, breadsticks, pretzels, and even sweet rolls. It’s basically the Swiss Army knife of baking mixes.

The best part? One box makes enough dough for about 8-10 generous cinnamon rolls, which is perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is divided into three parts: the dough, the filling, and the frosting. Everything is simple.

For the Dough:

• 1 box Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix (with the yeast packet included)
• 1 cup hot water (not boiling, just hot from the tap)
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided (2 for the dough, 2 for spreading)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1½ cups light brown sugar – Packed, for that rich molasses flavor
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – The star of the show
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg – Optional but adds warmth

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened – Must be room temperature or it’ll be lumpy
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened – Also room temperature
• 1¼ cups powdered sugar – Adjust to your sweetness preference
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Use the good stuff
• Pinch of salt – Balances the sweetness

How To Make Cinnamon Rolls With Hot Roll Mix (Step-by-Step)

This is the easiest cinnamon roll recipe you’ll ever make. I’m breaking it down into super clear steps so you can’t go wrong.

PART 1: MAKE THE DOUGH

Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl (or your stand mixer bowl), combine the entire contents of the Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix box with the yeast packet. Add 1 cup of hot water, 1 egg, and 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Mix with a dough hook (or wooden spoon if you’re doing it by hand) until everything comes together. The dough will be slightly sticky – that’s perfect!

Step 2: Knead Briefly
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it about 3 times. You’re not trying to knead it for 10 minutes like traditional bread – just a few quick folds until it becomes a smooth, soft dough.

Step 3: Let It Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes. It should roughly double in size. (Pro tip: I turn my oven on to 200°F for 2 minutes, then turn it off and put the bowl in there – perfect warm spot!)

PART 2: FILL AND SHAPE

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Once risen, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick and roughly 11×14 inches. Don’t stress about perfect measurements – close enough is fine.

Step 5: Add the Butter and Filling
Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of softened butter all over the dough. In a small bowl, mix together your brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges.

Step 6: Roll It Up
Starting from one of the long edges, roll the dough into a tight log. Try to keep it even as you roll. When you get to the end, pinch the seam closed.

Step 7: Cut the Rolls
Using a sharp knife (or unflavored dental floss – seriously, it works great!), cut the log into ½-inch thick slices. You should get 8-10 rolls.

Step 8: Second Rise
Place the rolls in a greased cast-iron skillet or round baking dish. They should be close but not touching. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for 15 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up and are touching each other.

PART 3: BAKE AND FROST

Step 9: Bake
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Once the rolls have risen, bake for 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown on top. Your kitchen will smell AMAZING.

Step 10: Make the Frosting
While the rolls bake, make your cream cheese frosting. Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Stir in the vanilla and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.

Step 11: Frost and Serve
Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes (this is the hardest part – waiting!). Then spread that glorious cream cheese frosting all over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and watch them disappear.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Indulging in warm, gooey cinnamon rolls is a true delight, but the thought of spending hours in the kitchen can be daunting. That’s where this recipe shines! It combines the convenience of Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix with simple steps, ensuring a delicious outcome without the fuss.

• Quick and Easy: This recipe requires minimal prep time and effort, making it perfect for busy mornings or impromptu cravings.
• Foolproof: The Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix ensures consistent results, even for novice bakers.
• Delicious: These cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor.
• Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness, spice level, and frosting to your liking.

Tips for the Best Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls

After making these dozens of times, here are my best tips:

Use room temperature ingredients. Room temp butter, eggs, and cream cheese mix better and create a better texture. Set them out 30-60 minutes before you start.

Don’t overmix the dough. Once the Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix ingredients come together, stop mixing. Overworking the dough makes tough rolls.

Create a warm rising environment. Yeast dough needs warmth to rise. My trick: turn the oven on to 200°F for 2 minutes, turn it off, then put your dough in there to rise. Perfect!

Don’t skimp on the butter. Butter is what makes these rolls tender and rich. Use real butter, not margarine.

Roll evenly for uniform rolls. Try to keep your rectangle as even as possible and roll tightly. This gives you evenly-sized rolls that bake at the same rate.

Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut. A dull knife squashes the rolls. Either sharpen your knife or use unflavored dental floss – slide it under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull to slice cleanly.

Don’t overbake. These rolls should be golden brown but still soft. If you overbake them, they’ll be dry. Check them at 18 minutes.

Frost while they’re warm. The frosting melts slightly into the rolls when they’re warm, creating that perfect gooey texture.

Other Ways To Use Hot Roll Mix

Now that you have a box of Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix in your pantry, here are some other delicious things you can make:

Classic Dinner Rolls: Follow the basic instructions on the box for soft, fluffy dinner rolls – perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

Pizza Dough: Use the hot roll mix to make quick homemade pizza dough. Roll it out thin for crispy crust or thick for deep-dish style.

Garlic Knots: Make small balls of dough, tie them into knots, brush with garlic butter, and bake for an amazing appetizer.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels: Shape the dough into pretzels, boil briefly in baking soda water, then bake and coat in cinnamon sugar.

Breadsticks: Roll the dough into long sticks, brush with butter and garlic, and bake until golden.

Sweet Rolls: Similar to these cinnamon rolls but try different fillings – apple pie filling, Nutella, or jam.

Monkey Bread: Cut the dough into small pieces, roll in cinnamon sugar, and bake in a bundt pan for pull-apart deliciousness.

The possibilities are honestly endless! One box of Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix can become so many different recipes.

Commonly Asked Questions

Similar Recipes

If you like cinnamon roll recipes like this, you will enjoy the recipes below:

• Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
• Homemade Pizza Rolls Recipe
• S’mores Sweet Rolls
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
• Easy and Delectable Coffee Cinnamon Rolls

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