Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

These easy gluten-free cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with cinnamon! Dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan options.

Ingredients

  • granulated sugar
    ½ c
  • milk)

    warmed to 110-115°f (43-46°c

    1 c
  • instant yeast/rapid yeast
    1 tbsp
  • unsalted butter

    melted and cooled

    ¼ c
  • eggs

    room temperature

    2 large
  • apple cider vinegar
    1 tsp
  • gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum recommended for yeast baking)

    (we recommend pillsbury or better batter brand

    3 ¼ c
  • baking powder
    2 tsp
  • salt
    ¼ tsp
  • heavy whipping cream

    warmed

    ½ c
  • unsalted butter

    softened

    ¼ c
  • pure vanilla extract
    ½ tsp
  • brown sugar

    packed

    1 c
  • ground cinnamon
    1 ½ tbsp
  • cream cheese

    softened

    6 oz.
  • unsalted butter

    softened

    ⅓ c
  • powdered sugar
    2 c
  • pure vanilla extract
    1 tsp
  • salt
    ⅛ tsp
  • powdered sugar
    2 c
  • milk
    5 tbsp
  • pure vanilla extract
    1 tsp

Directions

For the rolls:

  1. 1

    Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar to the warm milk and stir to combine. Pour the instant yeast over the milk mixture, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow it to bubble up for 1-2 minutes.

  2. 2

    Whisk the room-temperature eggs in a small bowl. Add the whisked eggs and the apple cider vinegar into the mixing bowl. Mix until the ingredients are combined.

  3. 3

    Add the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixing bowl.

  4. 4

    Add the melted butter to the flour mixture and mix for 1-2 minutes, or until the ingredients are fully combined. I used the paddle attachment to my KitchenAid stand-up mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

  5. 5

    Change the paddle attachment to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for 3-5 minutes. Your dough will start to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be tacky and soft. Do not add more flour! Gluten-free yeast dough is softer than traditional yeast dough.

  6. 6

    Place the dough in a greased, heat-proof bowl. Wet your hands with warm water and rub the dough ball to make it smooth. This step also adds moisture for the rise. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

  7. 7

    Place the bowl with the dough inside of a larger heat-proof bowl. Heat 2 cups of water in the microwave for 2 minutes. Carefully pour the hot water into the larger bowl, and do not get water into the covered dough bowl. Cover the bowls with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for 20 minutes.

  8. 8

    While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened 1/4 cup of butter and the pure vanilla extract until combined and smooth.

  9. 9

    In another small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.

  10. 10

    Spray a piece of parchment paper with gluten-free cooking spray or grease with oil/butter. Place the risen dough on top of the greased parchment paper, dust the top of the dough with 1 tablespoon of gluten-free flour, and shape the dough into a rectangle. Dust your rolling pin with gluten-free flour and roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thick and a 12x14-inch rectangle.

  11. 11

    Using a spatula, spread the butter mixture on top of the rolled-out dough all the way to the edges.

  12. 12

    Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the butter. Pat down with your hands.

  13. 13

    Using the edge of the parchment paper, fold the longest edge up to start the roll. Slowly roll the dough, keeping it tight, to form a log shape.

  14. 14

    Cut the dough log in half. Then cut each half into 6 equal rolls. I use dental floss to easily cut the dough.

  15. 15

    Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

  16. 16

    Heat the heavy cream in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour the warm cream over the cinnamon rolls.

  17. 17

    Place the cinnamon rolls on the middle rack of your oven. Turn your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the second rise. Once your oven comes to temperature (375°F), bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until light golden brown. Please check your rolls at the 15-minute mark.

  18. 18

    Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for a few minutes before frosting or icing them.

For the cream cheese frosting:

  1. 1

    In a medium-sized bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, pure vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix until smooth. Do not chill the frosting. Keep it at room temperature until the cinnamon rolls are baked. Spread the cream cheese frosting on the warm cinnamon rolls.

For the vanilla icing:

  1. 1

    In a medium-sized bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until smooth. Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

424 cal

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About this Recipe

Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, knowing they're perfectly soft, wonderfully fluffy, and completely gluten-free. This easy recipe delivers that dream, making authentic, bakery-quality rolls right in your own kitchen.

What sets these exceptionally soft and fluffy gluten-free cinnamon rolls apart is the careful selection of ingredients. We recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum specifically designed for yeast baking, such as Pillsbury or Better Batter brands. This specialized blend ensures your dough rises beautifully, yielding a tender crumb that often eludes gluten-free baking. Furthermore, the recipe is thoughtfully designed with dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan options, ensuring everyone can enjoy this breakfast classic.

Get ready for a truly indulgent breakfast experience. Each roll boasts a beautifully golden exterior giving way to a remarkably soft, tender interior, generously swirled with a rich, aromatic blend of brown sugar and cinnamon. The warm rolls are crowned with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances the sweet spice, creating a delightful symphony of flavors and textures with every bite. You'll find them incredibly satisfying and packed with that comforting cinnamon taste you crave.

This recipe is incredibly versatile for various dietary preferences. To make these rolls fully dairy-free, egg-free, or vegan, simply substitute the milk, butter, heavy whipping cream, and eggs with your preferred plant-based alternatives. For instance, almond or soy milk can replace regular milk, and vegan butter sticks work beautifully in place of unsalted butter, ensuring the same delicious outcome for all.

These irresistible gluten-free cinnamon rolls are ideal for any special breakfast or brunch gathering, or simply as a comforting treat to brighten your weekend morning. Serve them warm, perhaps with a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of dairy-free milk, for a truly memorable start to your day.

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