Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
Hello friends! Today I will show you how to make these delicious Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes. Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes topped with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and glazed mini cinnamon rolls!
Watch the video on this page or on YouTube showing you exactly how to make these fabulous cupcakes!
Fluffy cupcakes, with a delicious swirl of a sugar/cinnamon mixture, topped with a tangy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting, and also with these super cute Mini Cinnamon Rolls.
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I actually made a recipe exclusive for the Mini Cinnamon Rolls, because they were super cute and absolutely delicious, and I couldn’t help myself. On the recipe for the Mini Cinnamon Rolls, I cut them bigger, 2″ instead of 3/4″, and I frost them with Cream Cheese Icing instead of a simple sugar glaze like I do here.
You will have a few leftover rolls, since the recipe makes about 20, and you will need 12, if you don’t want the extra 8 rolls, send them my way!
Or you could freeze the rolls for later! First let the rolls rise at room temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then wrap them nicely and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. To bake simply pre-heat the oven to 350ºF and bake the frozen rolls until golden.
Anyway, you could also skip the cinnamon roll for the top of the cupcakes. They will still be considered Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes in a sense, specially because of the delicious cinnamon swirl on the cupcake batter.
Making the cinnamon swirl is totally easy and you can use this technique for any cupcakes that go with a delicious cinnamon flavor.
The cinnamon sugar mixture is made of cinnamon, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. And it gets swirled and layered with the cupcake batter.
Basically, you are going to spoon some batter on the bottom of the cupcake tin, then sprinkle 1/4 tsp of the cinnamon swirl mixture on top, and repeat the layers twice, when you get to the top, gently swirl the batter with a toothpick, to form the swirl.
And top with more cinnamon swirl mixture, which will bake and caramelize in the oven, becoming slightly crunchy, which is a super welcoming and pleasant texture for the fluffy and delicious cupcake.
These Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes are the perfect fall cupcakes! The warm cinnamon, the tangy cream cheese frosting are so amazing, and your house will be smelling like an autumnal dream the whole time you make these!
Tips on making Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
- Don’t over mix the cupcake batter. This will yield tough and dry cupcakes because it will develop too much gluten.
- Don’t over bake the cupcakes, as that will also make the cupcakes dry as they cool down.
- Follow the recipe for the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting here. If the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar, and if the frosting is too stiff, add a touch of milk.
- Make sure you don’t over bake the cinnamon rolls as well. They will bake fast because they are so small. Over baking them will yield a tough and dry cinnamon roll later on.
- If the glaze for the top of the cinnamon rolls is too runny, add more powdered sugar to it, and if it’s too stiff, add more milk. Or you could always make the Cream Cheese Icing that I used on this recipe for the Mini Cinnamon rolls.
If you like cupcake recipes, I have a lot of new recipes on my blog, and also a cookbook about cupcakes called Fantastic Filled Cupcakes.
And btw, we have a full section of fall themed cupcakes on the book!
Check out my book Fantastic Filled Cupcakes here.
If you like this recipe, here are some other recipes you may enjoy:
- Cinnamon Roll Macarons
- Mini Cinnamon Rolls
- Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Apple Crisp Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Russian Buttercream
- Dulce de Leche Mocha Cupcakes
- Pomegranate Cupcakes
- Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
- Grape Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Lindt Truffle Cupcakes
- Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes
And if you are looking to learn more about making cupcakes, check out my articles: Cupcake Troubleshooting, and Why did my cupcake sink in the middle?
This is the piping tip I used to pipe the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting on top of the cupcakes: Wilton 6B.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post, if you make this recipe please tag me on instagram, or leave a comment below! I always love hearing from you! Thanks for reading!
Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 160 grams, 5.65 oz
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp table salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil 112 grams, 3.9 oz
- 3/4 cup sugar 150 grams, 5.29 oz
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream 121 grams, 4.3 oz
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp white sugar
Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/2 cup warm water 90-100F 117 grams, 4 oz
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast 7 grams, 0.24 oz
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 191 grams, 6.75 oz
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50 grams, 1.7 oz
- 2 tbsp brown sugar 25 grams, 0.8 oz
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature (56 grams, 2 oz)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted (127 grams, 4.5 oz)
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
- Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
- Whisk the eggs with a wire whisk for about 1 minute. They will become frothy and lightened in color. Add the oil and whisk until combined.
- Add the sugar and whisk for another minute. You can use a mixer to do this, or simply a whisk.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- Add the sour cream to the batter and whisk until combined.
- Now add the sifted dry ingredients to the bowl and whisk gently, until just combined. Don't overmix the batter, or it might become tough later.
- Make the Cinnamon Swirl: mix 1/2 tablespoon of ground cinnamon with 1 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of white sugar. Set aside.
- Now start by pouring about 1 tablespoon of the batter on the bottom of each cupcake tin.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the Cinnamon Swirl mixture.
- Top with another tablespoon of batter.
- Now, sprinkle another 1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon Swirl mixture over batter.
- Top with another tablespoon of batter.
- Using a toothpick, swirl the batter a few times to create a swirl effect.
- Top the already swirled cupcakes with one final 1/4 teaspoon of the Cinnamon Swirl mixture.
- Bake for about 15 minutes.
- Test if the cupcakes are done by inserting a toothpick in the center, if it comes out clean, they are done baking. Or touch the top of a cupcake with your finger, if it springs back, the cupcakes are done.
- Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool down before frosting.
Cinnamon Rolls
- Start by making the dough. First mix the warm water, honey (or sugar), and olive oil to a large bowl, or to the bowl of the kitchenaid.
- Add the flour, yeast, and salt to the bowl.
- Mix until combined and a dough is formed.
- Knead the dough for 4-6 minutes with the dough hook on low speed. Or by hand for about 8 minutes.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel and let it rest for about 1 hour. Resting time will depend on how warm the kitchen is.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, remove from the bowl. Divide the dough in half.
- Work with each half at a time, keeping the other half covered meanwhile.
- Make the Cinnamon Filling: Mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, cinnamon, and room temperature butter in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Roll each dough half into a 8×10” rectangle.
- Spread half of the cinnamon filling on top of each dough rectangle.
- Roll it tight from the widest end.
- Cut very small rolls, about 3/4” thick.
- Place them in a baking sheet to rise. You want to place them fairly close together so they won’t spread out too much as they bake. Place rolls about 1/2” away from each other.
- Let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes.
- Pre-heat oven to 350ºF while the rolls rise.
- Bake the rolls in the pre-heated oven for about 10 minutes. They must have just started to brown when you remove them, or they will be too tough to eat. Don’t overbake the cinnamon rolls!
- Set them aside to cool.
Glaze
- Mix the powdered sugar and milk together.
- You might need more powdered sugar or milk to achieve the proper consistency. Please be aware that depending on the brand of sugar you are using, or if you measure your ingredients using a scale or a measuring cup, you might achieve different results. If your glaze is too thin and runny, add more sifted powdered sugar and test for consistency again. Same thing with the milk. If the glaze is too thick and not spreading, add a very very tiny amount of milk at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
To assemble
- Frost each cupcake with the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.Then place a cinnamon roll on top, glaze with a bit of the sugar glaze. Let the cupcakes sit in the fridge for a bit before serving, as you want the frosting and the glaze to set.
Storage
- Store these cupcakes in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days. The cinnamon rolls will lose freshness as they sit. They are best consumed on the first or second day of making the cupcakes, and at room temperature, so let the cupcakes sit on the counter for a while before serving.
Notes
to pipe the frosting on the cupcakes.
How did you know I wanted all things cinnamon today! Thanks for sharing this Camila
Cinnamon and cupcakes. Sound like perfect food to me! Thanks for posting.
now thats one heck of a delicious cinnamon roll in the cupcake form. I love all the flavors going on in this with the frosting and easier to eat!
This sounds so good to me right now. I love cinnamon rolls! I’m gonna have to try making these
Love the unique flavors in this recipe! Now, this recipe will be one of my favorites. Looks incredible! I’m sure this is incredibly delicious! THANK YOU!
Oh my goodness these are genius! I love the swirling technique, and the tiny cinnamon rolls on top are adorable!! That frosting sounds amazing too. Will have to try them when I get some time for a baking project 🙂
these cinnamon roll cupcakes are definitely a great baking project! thank you so much!
I’m going to try these today!! But is there any dairy-free substitutions I can try instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! You could try using coconut cream, or any dairy-free milk of choice! Enjoy! Let me know how you like it!!!
These cupcakes are gorgeous! Mouthwatering!!
Thank you so much, Karly! 🙂
These cupcakes are so beautiful!!!!
É uma receita melhor que a outra!!!!!!
Obrigada pai!!
Made these for my residents and they were awesome!
Awe thank you I am so happy to hear that!!!
Do you think a dairy free sour cream replacement you can buy at the grocery store will work here?
Absolutely will!! Thanks for your question Myranda, hope you make these and hope they turn out awesome!!!
Have a great day! Happy baking!!
This recipe won us first prize for the best tasting cupcake at our community cupcake wars.
Oh my!! Congratulations on winning!!! This sounds like a lot of fun too!!! Thank you so much, Candy!
Have a great day!!!
I made them and they were a hit with the whole fam. definitely worth the effort!!
I am so happy to hear that Roxanne!! Thank you and have a lovely day!
You don’t have to oil included in the steps for the cupcakes…
You’re right. I just fixed it, thanks Michelle. It goes together with the eggs and sugar
I’m making these right now but you have adding oil listed in 2 steps. I’m not sure it matters where you add it but I’m sure you’re not supposed to add it twice? Just wanted to let you know. Thanks so much for the recipe! Can’t wait to try them!
thanks for bringing to my attention! It doesn’t really matter if you add them before or after the sugar but I am glad you let me know so I can fix it!! thank you!!!
Delicious cupcakes! Would you please elaborate on the “heaped tablespoon” of batter? Is that using a regular dinner tablespoon or a proper measuring spoon? I have made these three times (using all types of spoons) and have ended up both under, and over filling them. They are still delicious, but I’ve never ended up with 12 cupcakes.
Fill each cupcake tin up to 3/4 of the way full 🙂
I normally aim for 3/4 when I’m baking regular cupcakes. I just want to know what type of tablespoon I should use, because I just used a measuring tablespoon, and, not even heaping it, have ended up with 8 cupcakes instead of 12. I just looked at the picture of the batter in the cups, and mine look pretty much just like that, so not sure how I end up with so few. I suppose I’ll just use a teaspoon next time.
Can I use cake flour instead of all purpose flour?
Sure thing!
How can I adjust this without using eggs and sour cream?
I recommend finding a vegan recipe instead, because those are very important ingredients to this recipe 🙂 thank you!
Can you make the cinnamon roll dough ahead of time and freeze it? Or even make the rolls and freeze them ahead of time?
yes you can! both!
Looks amazing! What can I substitute for sour cream?
you could use yogurt 🙂
My cinnamon rolls fell apart in the oven. Completely ruined 🙁 Any idea what I did wrong? They looked beautiful before I baked them
that means the log wasn’t rolled tight enough, or the rolls were too far apart, or you rolled the dough too thin, or the rolls over-proofed.
Sorry that happened Arielle!
Your video shows 4 eggs but the recipe says 2, before I bake them just wanted to check which it is please =]
it’s 2 so sorry about that. I explained on the youtube video that I was recording a double batch, because they are so good I always make a double batch of those lol. But I forgot to find a way to explain it here.
It’s 2 eggs for a single batch as the recipe down below indicates. The video was my mistake, I forgot about the fact that it would be confusing to the readers to see 4 eggs on the video when only 2 are required for the recipe.
Can vegetable oil be used instead of canola oil?
sure thing!
The cupcakes came out ok but the recipe called for way too much powdered sugar ing the frosting and the cinnamon rolls burnt when I put them in for. 22 minutes! The cupcakes themselves tasted a little werid as well. I think that this recipe could use some work.
Que receita maravilhosa!! Adorei essa delícia!!
Can I use this recipe and make an actual cake instead? (Thinking of turning the cake Into cake pops)
sure thing
O que dizer dessa receita?? Magnífica, maravilhosa e perfeita!! 🤩👏👏👏👏👏