Dessert

Christmas Mini Cinnamon Rolls to Brighten Your Holidays Recipe

ByNaomi Fletcher December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Introduction

These Christmas Mini Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect festive treat to brighten your holiday mornings. Soft, sweet, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor, they make delightful bite-sized pastries everyone will love. Easy to prepare and ideal for sharing with family and friends.

A group of four cinnamon rolls arranged close together on a white plate, each roll showing multiple thick layers of soft, golden-brown dough spiraled with a shiny, dark cinnamon filling; the rolls are topped with a smooth, white icing drizzled unevenly over the top, adding a glossy texture to the surface. The close-up view highlights the fluffy and light texture of the dough at the base and sides, with the rich cinnamon color visible in the swirls, all set against a white marbled surface in soft natural light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 packet active dry yeast
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.
Step 2: Add melted butter, sugar, and egg to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
Step 3: In another bowl, combine flour, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 5: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Step 6: Roll out the dough on a floured surface and spread the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the top.
Step 7: Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into small pieces, about 12 mini rolls.
Step 8: Place the pieces in a greased baking dish and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Step 10: While the rolls bake, mix powdered sugar and vanilla extract to make the icing, then drizzle it over warm rolls before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use whole milk for richer taste or substitute with almond milk for a dairy-free version.
Add chopped nuts or raisins to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
For a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugar or edible glitter on top of the icing.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat rolls in a microwave or warm oven to enjoy them fresh and soft again.

How to Serve

Four cinnamon rolls sit closely on a white square plate. Each roll has a soft, golden-brown dough base with swirls of darker cinnamon spice inside, topped with thick white icing that glistens in the light as it drips down the sides. The rolls look fluffy and moist, with the cinnamon filling clearly visible in the spiral layers. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and soft natural light highlights the texture of the dough and icing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature before rolling and filling.

What if I don’t have active dry yeast?

You can substitute active dry yeast with instant yeast using the same amount. Just mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing in milk first.