Whole Grain Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Whole Grain Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups milled soft white wheat berries; ¼ cup sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup milk; 3 tablespoons butter (softened); 1 packet of yeast (2 ¼ tsp); 1 egg; 3 tablespoons butter (softened); ⅓ cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 6 ounces cream cheese (softened); ½ cup heavy cream; ½ cup maple syrup or honey; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Whole grain cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese drizzle are soft, buttery, and sweet. A whole grain twist on a breakfast classic, these delicious and decadent cinnamon rolls are sure to impress.

Whole grain cinnamon rolls drizzled with frosting.

Who doesn’t love a warm cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing?!

Cinnamon rolls have long been a favorite in our house. Since I’ve recently been on a whole grain kick, I decided to experiment with a cinnamon roll recipe using whole grain flour.

After a bit of tweaking (and plenty of delicious taste testing!), this whole grain cinnamon roll recipe is my new go-to.

They are pillowy soft, gooey with buttery filling, and drizzled with a perfectly sweet cream cheese topping.

I know you’ll love them as much as I do!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Them

They are tasty! Whole grain flour typically gives the rolls a more robust flavor than regular flour. These cinnamon rolls are also spread with just the right amount of cinnamon filling and drizzled with a decadent, sweet, and tangy cream cheese drizzle.
These whole grain cinnamon rolls are made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Whip them up with ingredients from your fridge and pantry!
Cinnamon rolls are the perfect breakfast for a crowd! Bring them to your next family gathering, serve them for brunch, or enjoy them on a weekday with your family.
Homemade cinnamon rolls are very kid-friendly. Everyone in the family will enjoy fresh cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Key Ingredients

Whole grain cinnamon roll ingredients labeled on a white background.

Whole grain flour: I use freshly milled soft white wheat berries.
Sugar: You’ll need white sugar for the dough and brown sugar for the filling.
Salt
Milk
Butter: Make sure it’s fully softened before using.
Yeast: Active dry yeast gives these cinnamon rolls their fluffy rise. Out of yeast? My protein cinnamon rolls don’t require any!
Egg
Vanilla
Cinnamon: Combined with butter and brown sugar, cinnamon makes the most delicious filling for the middle of the rolls. Feel free to add other warm spices, like nutmeg or cloves.
Cream cheese: Cream cheese adds a tangy flavor to the cinnamon roll drizzle that is more exciting than a simple icing.
Heavy cream: This adds richness and a little structure to the cream cheese topping!
Maple syrup: Sweetening the cream cheese drizzle with maple syrup gives it a comforting maple flavor. You can also use honey.

How to Make Whole Grain Cinnamon Rolls

Dry ingredients in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

Whisking butter, milk, and yeast together in a bowl.

Step 1. To make the dough, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.

Step 2. In a small saucepan, add the milk and butter. Heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm to the touch. Stir in yeast and set aside for 10 minutes.

Stirring wet ingredients into dry ingredients with a wooden spoon.

Kneading cinnamon roll dough on a white table.

Step 3. Add the milk mixture and egg to the dry ingredients and stir.

Step 4. Knead the dough by hand for 5 minutes or until the dough forms.

A ball of cinnamon roll dough in a mixing bowl with a checkered towel over it.

Mixing butter, sugar, and cinnamon with a fork.

Step 5. Place the dough ball in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes and then transfer to a lightly floured surface.

Step 6. While the dough rests, use a fork to combine the filling ingredients.

Rolled-out cinnamon roll dough in a rectangle shape.

Cinnamon sugar butter spread on rolled-out cinnamon roll dough.

Step 7. Roll the dough out into a rectangle, about 12 inches by 8 inches.

Step 8. Spread the filling ingredients out on the dough.

Unbaked cinnamon rolls on a wooden cutting board.

Step 9. Carefully roll the dough, starting on the wide side.

Step 10. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into individual rolls, each about 1-2 inches thick.

Step 11. Lightly grease a 12-inch skillet with cooking spray or oil. Place your cinnamon rolls in the skillet, standing them upright on their ends, and allow them to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.

Unbaked cinnamon rolls, puffy from proofing.

Mixing cinnamon roll icing with a stand mixer.

Step 12. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Step 13. While they are baking, add all the ingredients for the toppings to a standup mixer and mix until creamy and smooth.

Step 14. After they are baked, drizzle them with the cream cheese topping and enjoy!

Holding up a whole grain cinnamon roll drizzled with icing.

Tips for Success

Your rise time may differ from mine, depending on the warmth of your house. Watch for the rolls to double in size in addition to setting the timer.
I strongly recommend investing in a high-quality grain mill. A good mill makes a huge difference in the final texture of your whole grain baked goods. I use a Mockmill professional grain mill.
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can make some by stirring together 1 cup of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the rolls before enjoying.

How to Serve Them

Cinnamon rolls are always best served straight from the oven. The cream cheese icing melts on top of the hot rolls, and they have the best soft and fluffy texture.

Cinnamon rolls make an excellent addition to any breakfast or brunch! They are sweet, filling, and utterly delicious.

I like to serve them up with an egg-based dish, such as cast iron quiche or an English muffin omelette.

Breakfast meats also make a great pariring, like cast iron bacon or venison breakfast sausage. A side of fresh fruit or strawberry kiwi fruit pizza is always tasty, too.

Whole grain cinnamon rolls in a cast iron skillet, drizzled with frosting.

Recipe FAQs

Why aren’t my cinnamon rolls rising?

That could mean your yeast is expired or the milk and butter mixture was the wrong temperature. Make sure you’re using fresh yeast, and aim for 100-110°F for the milk to properly bloom the yeast without killing it.

Can I add nuts to these cinnamon rolls?

Of course! You can add chopped nuts to the filling or sprinkle them on top before baking the rolls.

Can I freeze my cinnamon rolls?

Yes, cinnamon rolls freeze very well. I recommend freezing them without the cream cheese topping and adding it after the rolls are reheated. Put the rolls in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 6 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before reheating in the oven.

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