Making cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning has been a tradition in our home for at least 15 years. This is a recipe that my mother-in-law passed down to me several years ago. My husband and I have tweaked and perfected this recipe to our taste. Whether we stay home for Christmas or go, this recipe comes with us.

Before kids, my husband and I have created some quirky, fun, and tasty traditions. We always go to Christmas mass (with the exception of this year). On our way home, we swing past our favourite sushi restaurant for some takeout. After dinner, we begin prepping for our breakfast, the tastiest cinnamon rolls that are perfect for Christmas morning!

We usually start by pouring ourselves a drink and cranking up the holiday tunes.

Now that we have kids, the traditions stay the same, but now we have helpers, with both making and tasting.

How these Christmas morning cinnamon rolls morphed into pull-apart buns

Last year, at Christmas we had a small baby and I was not wanting to roll out the dough. I needed to make this easier for me. Then, I remembered that I made these cinnamon rolls for a school bake sale. (which, I must brag, won the highest bid!)

Instead of making them into rolls, I used my bundt pan and turned my yummy cinnamon rolls into really yummy cinnamon pull-apart buns.

Making the balls is not only easier but is a fun way for my kids to participate by ripping apart and dipping them into warm icing.

I am here for all the hacks and anything that will make life easier.

So you decide how you want to make and bake this recipe.

I should also note that this recipe can be altered to your taste. If you want to add coconut, go for it. You love nuts or raisins, give’r a go. Maybe you prefer to add some nutmeg or chocolate

…honestly, you can experiment with so many flavours (but be sure to tell me what has worked for you!!).

For years I had used my bread machine (may it rest in peace), but if you don’t have one, it can be done with a stand mixer, or by hand!

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Cinnamon Roll Recipe (with a Pull-Apart option)

This is an easy cinnamon roll recipe that I make every Christmas morning. The dough can be made in the bread maker, but if you don't have one or is broken (like ours), it can be done with a stand mixer…or if you are strong, by hand!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, holiday

Keyword Christmas, Cinnamon buns, Cinnamon rolls, cream cheese, frosted, icing, Pull-apart

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author withinthisspace

Ingredients

The Dough

• 1 cup milk Any kind at room temp
• 1/4 cup water room temp
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 4 cups All purpose Flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 tbsp sugar You can sub for any sugar
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast

THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING SHORTAGE

Here is a recipe to use if you can't find instant pudding

• 3 cups non-fat dry milk
• 4 cups sugar You can sub any sugar (I use syrup)
• 3 cups cornstarch
• 5 tsp vanilla extract or powder (I use vanilla bean powder)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
• 1/4 tsp salt

The filling (I usually eye ball)

• 1/4 cup softened butter enough to cover the dough
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon you can add more or less

The Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese (use full-fat) 4oz = 1/2 package or 1/2 cup
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 ½ cups Icing sugar
• 1½ tsp milk any kind
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

THE DOUGH

For the bread machine

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Add first 9 ingredients in order suggested by your machines manufacturer
• Select the "dough" setting.
• Check the dough after 5 minutes of mixing. ADD 1-2tbsp water or flour if needed
• When cycle is completed, toss the dough on a lightly floured surface

Making the rolls

• Roll into an approximate 17"x10" rectangle.
• Spread with the softened butter
• Sprinkle a generous amount of the suagr and cinnamon mixture
• Roll tightly, starting from the long side, rolling up. Pinch the seams.
• Cut into equal sizes, approx 20 pieces
• Place cut side down in a VERY greased baking pan
• Cover with towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

Stand Mixer or by Hand.

• Mix active yeast with the warm water and let sit
• Using the mixing paddle, beat Butter with vanilla pudding mix, sugar until fluffy. Add salt,
• beat in the egg
• Add the milk and stir.
• Stir in yeast
• Change to the dough hook
• Add the flour, little at a time.
• Take out and knead on a lightly floured surface until it becomes a nice and stretchy dough.
• Follow the "Making the Rolls" instruction

To Make Pull-Apart (our favourite with little people)

• Follow dough instructions (either bread machine/stand mixer/hand)
• Instead of rolling, make 1 inch balls and roll into the "filling" and place in a well greased/buttered bundt pan until the pan is half full (using all the dough)
• Cover with a towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. It should be bubbly and slightly crispy on the sides.

Cream Cheese Icing

• Mix all ingredients together until smooth
• Ice the warm rolls
• Warm the icing up if you are wanting to make a dip for the pull-aparts (our favourite messy treat)

I have to say, I didn’t have any intention of sharing my Christmas Cinnamon Roll recipe… But last night a friend posted on Facebook that she was looking for a local baker to order some cinnamon buns. I commented that I have a wonderful and easy recipe I could share with her. The post unexpectantly blew up and so here I am sharing it with you 2 days before Christmas! Talk about pressure.

A Brief Public Service Announcement

I also wanted to share that there appears to be an instant vanilla pudding shortage in my town. I have added an additional recipe. Lastly, I wanted to share something that I stumbled upon and absolutely LOVE! I follow and obsess over EVERYTHING Half Baked Harvest. She has the easiest and most delicious recipes that are fool-proof. She had mentioned that she uses Vanilla Bean Powder. I trust Tegan with everything cooking and gave it a try and I have NO regrets. I add it in lieu and in addition to artificial and real vanilla extract. You should give it a try.

So if you can’t get everything that you need for Christmas, why not ring in 2021 with this yummy recipe. Or celebrate a birthday with your morning smelling like yummy cinnamon rolls.

I have all my fingers crossed that you love this recipe as much as I do. I really hope that these tasty morsels bring you warmth, fond memories, and become a tradition in your home too. <3

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and only the best in 2021!!