Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls

These easy mini cinnamon rolls use crescent roll sheets, sweet brown sugar, and cinnamon, topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Everything is instantly cuter when it’s mini!

These easy mini cinnamon rolls are effortless, I promise! 

I’ve taken some help from the store by using pre-made crescent roll sheets; these are perfect for this application, and they save a ton of time, so we can get to eating these delicious treats faster! 

They’re filled with sweet brown sugar, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, a little melted butter, and all topped with a tangy and sweet homemade cream cheese frosting.

This is the perfect project to have little ones help out with, too!

Next time you wake up craving a breakfast sweet treat, try these easy mini cinnamon rolls!

Want all the flavors of a cinnamon roll but in cake form? Try this cinnamon roll cake!

Ingredients for easy mini cinnamon rolls

For cinnamon rolls: 

• Crescent roll sheets – Taking help from the store by using premade crescent roll sheets really helps cut down on prep time!
• Melted butter – Melted butter will help the filling come together. 
• Brown sugar – Brown sugar will add a deep caramelized sweetness to the filling.
• Spices – I’ve used a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Kosher salt – Kosher salt is important to help enhance the flavors of the filling.

For frosting: 

• Cream cheese – Cream cheese will add creaminess and a tangy flavor to the frosting.
• Butter – Butter will add a yummy buttery flavor to the frosting.
• Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract will add a subtle vanilla flavor. 
• Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar is a common frosting ingredient because it can dissolve at room temperature.

Using standard crescent roll dough

If you cannot find crescent roll sheets you can use regular crescent dough. Here are a few helpful tips on how to turn regular dough into sheets.

Prepare a clean, flat surface for rolling out the crescent dough. Sprinkle a small amount of flour on the surface to prevent sticking, but be careful not to use too much, as it might alter the texture of the dough.

Carefully unroll the crescent roll dough onto the prepared surface.

Since it’s pre-packaged, the crescent dough has perforations where the triangles are connected; gently press these seams with your fingers to seal them together.

You want the dough to become one cohesive sheet.

Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough gently. Start from the center and roll outwards in all directions. Aim to create a thin, even sheet of dough. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, sprinkle some flour.

After rolling out the dough, you can shape it into a rectangle or any desired shape for your intended use. If the edges are uneven or too thick, you can use a knife to trim them for a neater appearance.

Added fillings

I’ve kept this filling pretty simple, with just spices and sugar, but here are some other great ingredients to roll up with them:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
• Dried fruit (raisins, dried apples, or dried cranberries)
• Pumpkin spice
• Cardamom
• Orange zest

Frosting alternative

I’ve used a cream cheese frosting here, but feel free to try some of these different frostings:

• Add a splash of maple extract for a maple-flavored frosting
• Use Nutella if you’re a chocolate lover
• Skip the frosting and drizzle caramel sauce over the cinnamon rolls

Storage and leftovers

These easy mini cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 day.

More cinnamon roll treats

• Love the flavors of the holidays? Try my Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
• Feeling nutty? Try my Nutty Cinnamon Roll Apple Cake
• Looking for some citrus? Try my Spiced Orange Cinnamon Rolls
• Ready to celebrate fall? Try my Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls