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Cinnamon Roll Wreath

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Soft and sweet cinnamon rolls take on a festive wreath shape. They are a perfect holiday breakfast or something fabulous for overnight guests. 

hand holding cinnamon roll on plate with remaining cinnamon roll wreath in background.

Treating your family or friends to an extra special breakfast is a great way to start the day off right. The cinnamon roll wreath can be shaped the night ahead and refrigerated.

Then in the morning all you have to do is proof and bake it. Drizzling a nice glaze over the warm rolls takes them to the next level.

This is sure to wow everyone at the table. And while it is festive for Christmas, don’t save it for just then. You can make a cinnamon roll wreath any time!

There is something about waking up to the aroma of cinnamon rolls in the oven. Not only do you get the sweet smells of cinnamon wafting through the house, but also you get the fresh bread goodness. 

Talk about a one two punch of fabulous scents. It is way better than any candle money can buy.

If you get to be the lucky one who rises from bed knowing they are in the oven, all the better. The anticipation changes the whole mood of getting up to start the day.

You can give that gift of high expectations and smiles to your family or overnight guests and still maintain a small surprise by serving those cinnamon rolls in wreath form. It makes it just that little bit more special and festive. 

freshly baked cinnamon roll wreath with bowl of icing in the middle.

Cinnamon rolls happen to be one of Little Dude’s favorite treats, so I knew these would be a hit with him. I was right, his eyes were as big as saucers when he saw them.

My brothers were hooked too. They were having a hard time waiting to eat them.

Even my husband, who takes great pride in skipping sweets, had multiple helpings. That is always a good sign!

Making and forming a cinnamon roll wreath 

These cinnamon rolls are made with a soft enriched yeast dough. It is easy to work with, but does take a little bit of time. 

I enjoy kneading dough by hand. I find it a little bit therapeutic and fun.

However you can use your mixer’s dough hook. Once the dough comes together, let the hook work the dough on medium speed for about five minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. 

The butter and eggs make that first proof take a little extra long. You can speed it up a bit by letting your dough rise in a warm spot.

You can cover the bowl your dough is in with a damp towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot in your kitchen. Alternatively you can preheat your oven to 200 F, then turn off the oven and allow your dough to rise in the residual heat.

I don’t even bother using a rolling pin for the dough. You can use your fingers to spread the dough and using your baking sheet pan as a template helps you to get the right size.

spoon drizzling icing over warm cinnamon rolls.

I like using melted butter and brown sugar in the filling. It makes spreading it easy and adds great color and flavor. 

Making the wreath is pretty simple. Just roll the dough the way you normally would, but instead of cutting all the way through the dough log leave a little bit intact.

Arrange the rolls in a circle, slightly overlapping each slice as you work your way around.  Add a ramekin or small bowl in the center or the wreath to help it keep its shape.

close up of knife removing a cinnamon roll from the wreath.

At this point you can cover the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Just let it come to room temperature and then allow it to rise for 45 minutes in the morning. 

Then bake until the are soft but golden. I love drizzling them with icing while they are still hot because it has the best chance of soaking in and making everything that much more gooey and delicious. 

Feel free to add nuts or plumped raisins to the filling if desired or add festive sprinkles on top. Customizing recipes to your tastes is one of the best parts of cooking!

Keeping leftover cinnamon rolls soft

Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days.  Add a slice of sandwich bread to the container to help keep them soft.

iced cinnamon roll on plate with remaining wreath in background.

For longer storage, wrap individual cinnamon rolls in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To serve, unwrap the roll and microwave it for fifteen to twenty seconds to have an instant breakfast

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

hand holding cinnamon roll on plate with remaining cinnamon roll wreath in background.

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Carlee
Soft and sweet cinnamon rolls take on a festive wreath shape. They are a perfect holiday breakfast or something fabulous for overnight guests.
5 from 13 ratings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 364 kcal

Ingredients
 

Dough

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • cup granulated sugar
  • Tablespoons dry active yeast 2 packets
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • cups all purpose flour plus extra for dusting surfaces

Filling

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • Tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Icing

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 Tablespoons whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Heat milk to about 100℉. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check the temperature with a finger. It should feel warm but not so hot you can’t leave your finger in it.
    1 cup whole milk
  • Stir in the sugar and yeast. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. It should foam if your yeast is active. If it doesn’t, start over with new yeast.
    ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 1½ Tablespoons dry active yeast
  • While your yeast is getting bubbly, melt the butter in a large and set aside to cool.
    ½ cup salted butter
  • When the yeast is ready, stir the mixture into the butter. Lightly beat the eggs and add to the bowl, mixing to combine.
    2 large eggs
  • Add the flour a bit at a time, stirring as you go. Once all of the flour is added, stir until it comes together in a ball.
    4½ cups all purpose flour
  • Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Place in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Allow to rise until doubled in size, 1-2 hours.
  • Put dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper or silicone mat, roughly 8×13-inch in size. Gently press the dough out to evenly cover the rectangle.
  • Prepare the filling by melting the butter then stirring in the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread over the dough.
    6 Tablespoons butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1½ Tablespoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • Roll into a tight log, then cut the dough into 16 equal pieces without going all the way through.
  • Transfer the baking mat or parchment paper onto a baking sheet. Form the dough into a wreath by tipping a roll on its side, then slightly overlapping with the next roll, working your way around.
  • Place a small bowl or ramekin in the center of the wreath to help it hold its shape, then cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Allow them to rise for 45 minutes. (If you want to make overnight rolls, they can be covered and refrigerated for up to 14 hours after you form the wreath. Just bring them to room temperature and let them rise for 45 minutes before baking.)
  • Bake in a preheated 350℉ oven for 25 minutes.
  • To make the glaze whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla and 2 Tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add more milk as needed to get your desired consistency. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls. Top with sprinkles if desired.
    2 cups powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • These rolls are best enjoyed warm, but keep well. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Otherwise wrap the individual rolls and freeze them for later. A few seconds in the microwave will perk them right up.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 112mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28g
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Recipe Rating




Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

Thank you!

Amy

Tuesday 17th of November 2020

What a cute idea! This would be fabulous at a party or a neighbor gift.

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

It really would be perfect for both!

Julia

Saturday 14th of November 2020

I love this!

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

Thank you!

Val

Saturday 14th of November 2020

This is a great idea! I think I'll have to try making your cinnamon roll wreath this year!

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

I hope you and your family love it!

Andrea Nine

Wednesday 11th of November 2020

I love how festive this is! I think this would be a huge it! I may eat half of it, lol.

Carlee

Friday 13th of November 2020

Little Dude might fight you for them ;-) Thank you!