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Sometimes you just need a quick and cozy breakfast treat, and these Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls are my shortcut version of the classic. They come together in minutes with buttery crescent dough, a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a creamy frosting on top. My girls get so excited when they smell these baking in the oven — it feels like a special morning without the fuss.
👉 You may also like my Apple Crescent Donuts or Mini Cheesecake Pies.
These Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls are an easy 25-minute breakfast or dessert made with crescent dough. Rolled with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, then topped with homemade cream cheese frosting, they’re warm, gooey, and taste just like classic cinnamon rolls with half the effort.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
Growing up, my mom used to make homemade cinnamon rolls on the weekends, but they took hours from start to finish. These rolls capture that same cozy feeling but in a way that actually works on a busy weekday morning.
I also love how versatile they are — they work as a sweet breakfast, a dessert, or even something fun to bring to a brunch potluck. The frosting is creamy, rich, and so simple, and the rolls bake up with just the right amount of sweetness.
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
🍂 Perfect For: Weekend breakfasts, brunch, or dessert
🛒 Key Ingredients: Crescent dough, butter, cinnamon sugar, cream cheese frosting
🍽️ Servings: 6 rolls
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: 2–3 days in the fridge, best fresh
👉 If you liked these, you might also enjoy my Cheesy Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole or Pizza Crescent Pockets.
Made With Love,
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Full Ingredients List
- How to Make Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Recipe FAQs – Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Serving Suggestions
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- More Great Crescent Roll Recipes
- Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
What You’ll Need for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Crescent dough – Pressed into a sheet for easy rolling.
- Butter – Brushed over the dough to hold the filling.
- Brown sugar + cinnamon – The classic filling combination.
- Cream cheese frosting – Rich, sweet, and made with pantry staples.
👉 For another sweet treat, check out my Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies.
Full Ingredients List
For the rolls:
- 1 (8 oz) sheet crescent dough (or crescent roll dough, unrolled and pressed into a sheet)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- Dash of salt
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
How to Make Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a small baking dish or cake pan.
Step 2: Unroll crescent dough into a rectangle, pressing seams together if needed.
Step 3: Brush melted butter evenly over the dough.
Step 4: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle over the dough.
Step 5: Starting from the long edge, roll into a log. Slice into 6 equal pieces.
Step 6: Place rolls cut-side up in the prepared dish.
Step 7: Bake 13–16 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Step 8: While baking, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth.
Step 9: Let rolls cool slightly, then spread with frosting.
🔒 The step-by-step instructions are also available in the printable recipe card below — don’t forget to save it for later!
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Variations
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.
- Swap the cream cheese frosting for a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk.
- Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips before rolling for extra sweetness.
- If you liked these, you may also like my Apple Crescent Donuts.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Roll the dough tightly to keep the filling inside.
- Use dental floss to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing them.
- Let the rolls cool just slightly before frosting so the icing melts in.
- Double the recipe if you’re serving a crowd — they go fast!
Recipe FAQs – Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Yes, just press the seams together into a rectangle before adding the filling.
No, you can drizzle with store-bought icing or even maple syrup.
Yes, prepare the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning.
They’re best fresh, but you can freeze baked rolls and reheat before serving.
👉 If you enjoy quick sweets, try my 2-Ingredient Donuts.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with savory options like Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole.
- For a brunch spread, add Mini Cheesecake Pies or Apple Crescent Donuts.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store covered in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Reheat: Microwave for 10–15 seconds until warm.
- Freezer: Not ideal, but you can freeze baked rolls for up to 1 month.
👉 Looking for more? Check out my Breakfast Recipes.
More Great Crescent Roll Recipes
If you try this recipe, give it a rating — it helps others find the best recipes!
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the rolls:
- 1 8 oz sheet crescent dough (or crescent roll dough, unrolled and pressed into a sheet)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the cream cheese frosting:
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- Dash of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
- Unroll crescent dough into a rectangle, pressing seams together.
- Brush melted butter over dough.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter.
- Roll up from the long edge; slice into 6 pieces.
- Place rolls cut-side up in dish.
- Bake 13–16 minutes until golden.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth.
- Spread frosting on warm rolls.
Notes
- Slice with dental floss for neat rolls.
- Best eaten warm and fresh.
- Store covered in the fridge up to 2–3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
