I’m all for making things from scratch but every now and then a semi-homemade treat like this canned cinnamon roll hack just hits the spot with way less effort than making a full batch of regular cinnamon rolls that require kneading, rising, and shaping. Besides, everybody agrees that the center of the cinnamon roll is the best part, and this approach makes the whole thing taste like the center of the cinnamon roll! TikTok is such a fun platform for creative content. Another new TikTok favorite that you should try if you like these cinnamon rolls are the Cookie Croissants. Not that adding heavy cream to cinnamon rolls is the newest trick – it’s actually been around for years – but TikTok helped bring this canned cinnamon roll hack to the masses once again using gold old Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. I tried tracking down the original viral video to figure out where this trend started, but that can be really hard to do! @Kotagilley has a post from June 2022 with over 1 million likes and 11 million views. But @mississippi_kween‘s video from May 2022 predates it. And she credits another TikToker @manthacancook as her inspiration, who said in her January 2022 video “TikTok made me do it” and later said in a comment that she thought the trend started a year earlier! So if you know who started the TikTok cinnamon rolls recipe trend, please reach out so I can give credit! This hack makes the cinnamon rolls softer and more gooey throughout. Like the inside of the cinnamon roll except the WHOLE THING is that way. Trust me, they are the easiest cinnamon rolls you will ever make!
TikTok Cinnamon Roll Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Refrigerated jumbo-sized cinnamon rolls – It doesn’t have to be Pillsbury Grands! Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls are awesome (but hard to find in my area). You can also use Trader Joes cinnamon rolls or basically any refrigerated cinnamon rolls in a tube that you like. Heavy cream – This is the not-so-secret ingredient that makes regular cinnamon rolls extra gooey. The added moisture is absorbed into the cinnamon rolls for a soft, fluffy result that is amazing. Cream cheese – We’re elevating regular Pillsbury cinnamon roll icing by adding some softened cream cheese. Powdered sugar – This also helps stretch the cinnamon roll icing that comes with the tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls since there never seems to be quite enough. Vanilla extract – A little vanilla balances the cinnamon flavor and makes it more interesting. Salted butter – Another trick that is mentioned in some of the viral TikTok videos is to drizzle melted butter mixed with ground cinnamon and brown sugar over the cinnamon rolls before baking to make them that much more extra. It works. Brown sugar – For the buttery, cinnamon-sugar drizzle. Ground cinnamon – Keeps the cinnamon flavor front and center for these sweet rolls.
How to Make TikTok Cinnamon Rolls
Tips for Success
Leave some space between the cinnamon rolls so they can expand while they bake. If you crowd the pan too much, they won’t bake as well. Be sure to cover with foil. This allows the cinnamon rolls to soak up the cream better without drying out on top or burning before they have a chance to cook all the way through. Let the cinnamon rolls cool a few minutes before frosting. If you frost them right away the frosting will melt right into the cinnamon rolls. I actually like that to some extent so I still frost them while they are warm, but not piping hot right out of the oven.
Variations
Add fruit. Add some fresh peach slices, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries right on top and down between the cinnamon rolls before adding the cream and baking. Go nuts. Add ¾ cup chopped pecans to the brown sugar and butter mixture. You could even do this first, then place the cinnamon rolls on top. After baking, flip the whole thing upside down for easy pecan sticky buns. Try maple icing! Add ½ teaspoon of maple extract to your frosting for a delicious maple icing twist!
What to Serve With Cinnamon Rolls
Whether you are serving these for a weekend family breakfast or a brunch with friends, don’t forget all the delicious sides along with glasses of cold milk! Here are some of our favorites.
Green Chili Egg Casserole Oven Baked Bacon Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs Hashbrowns Fresh Fruit Salad Easy, Ultimate Breakfast Frittata
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Although these are best eaten fresh, they will keep at room temperature on the counter in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can also freeze the baked cinnamon rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw completely on the counter and reheat. Keep in mind that the frosting will sort of melt into the cinnamon rolls, so if your plan is to freeze them you might want to freeze the frosting separately (it freezes great!) then thaw and add it when you are reheating the cinnamon rolls before serving.
More Sweet Roll Recipes
Caramel Apple Pie Crescent Rolls The BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Hot Cross Buns Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
More Favorites from House of Nash Eats
Deborah’s Knotted Orange Rolls
Pecan Rolls
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
