With just a handful of ingredients and a clever shortcut using store-bought dough, you can whip up a batch of these Easy Cinnamon Rolls in just 30 minutes! These soft, fluffy rolls are infused with warm cinnamon flavor and topped off with a decadent caramel glaze that adds the perfect touch of sweetness. Whether you’re treating yourself to a cozy morning breakfast or treating friends and family to a special brunch, these easy cinnamon rolls are sure to impress without all the hassle of homemade dough.

overhead image of easy cinnamon rolls topped with caramel and chocolate chips in a white baking dish with a towel and a small bowl of chocolate chips off to the side

Why You’ll Love These Easy Cinnamon Rolls

There’s nothing like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filling your home in the morning. However, we don’t always have time to measure endless ingredients and roll out the dough. So, we created a shortcut and transformed store-bought dough into something truly gourmet. Don’t worry, when we’re finished no one will know they aren’t homemade! These caramel chocolate chip cinnamon rolls are: 

  • Soft, tender, and dripping with gooey caramel
  • Made with 6 simple ingredients
  • Baked in 30 minutes
  • Perfect for make-ahead breakfast options, bake sales, and more! 

What’s the Difference Between Cinnamon Rolls and Cinnamon Buns? 

Often used interchangeably, the two are not quite the same. Both breakfast options are created with a yeast dough that is covered with a cinnamon sugar mixture and sliced into rolls. However, the most recognizable difference is in their appearance.

For instance, cinnamon buns were originally brought to America by German immigrants. Unlike cinnamon rolls which are marked by their extra fluffy appearance and topped with a sweet glaze, cinnamon buns are full of nuts and have a shinier exterior that more closely resembles what we think of as bread rolls. 

Basic Ingredients You’ll Need

The shortest ingredient list you’ll ever find, this recipe comes together with just 6 ingredients, 5 of which you probably keep on hand! 

  • Cinnamon Rolls – You’ll want to pick up a package of your favorite unbaked cinnamon roll dough. We found that Grands canned cinnamon rolls work best for the fluffiest texture, but feel free to use whatever you like best. 
  • Unsalted Butter – This is used to form the base of the caramel sauce and keeps it extra softy and melty. 
  • Light Brown Sugar – If dark brown sugar is all you have, it can be used instead. However, it will create a more intense caramel flavor and may have a different texture. 
  • Heavy Cream – Adding a decadent flavor, heavy cream also helps create a smooth texture perfect for drizzling over your caramel cinnamon rolls. 
  • Salt – A tiny pinch of salt goes a long way to enhance the rest of the ingredients for a salted caramel taste. 
  • Chocolate Chips – Everything is better with chocolate, right? We used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate are great, too! 
baked easy cinnamon rolls topped with caramel and chocolate chips in a white baking dish

How to Make the Best Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

Prepare to be amazed! Once you see how easy these are to make, you’ll never go back to whisking ingredients and rolling your own dough again. Take a look at an overview of the instructions below. Then, scroll to the bottom for all the details! 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit
  2. Combine the ingredients for the caramel sauce, and bring them to a boil. 
  3. Pour half of the caramel sauce into a baking dish, and layer the cinnamon rolls on top. 
  4. Top with more caramel and chocolate chips. 
  5. Bake until golden brown and fragrant. 
  6. Drizzle with the remaining caramel. 
  7. Serve warm, and enjoy! 
a baking dish of easy cinnamon rolls with caramel and chocolate chips with a cinnamon roll missing

Variations

This recipe is incredible as it is. However, if you want to experiment with a few add-ins and flavor alternatives, the options are endless. Some of our favorite ways to spruce up this recipe include: 

  • Peanut Butter. For an even more decadent dessert, mix a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter into the caramel sauce! 
  • Chopped Nuts. For a bit of extra crunch, sprinkle your favorite chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans on top.
  • Nutella. Add Nutella to the caramel sauce, or drizzle it on top!
  • Apples. For a fall-inspired dessert, scatter chopped apples on top of your cinnamon rolls before baking.
  • Monkey Bread. For a fun shareable option, slice the cinnamon rolls into quarters before adding them to the dish for a monkey-bread-like option. 

Storage Options

Once baked, this recipe disappears almost instantly. However, leftovers can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week

Or, freeze them cooked or uncooked for up to 6 months. Just leave off any toppings. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge or on the counter, and cook as usual. Or, warm them in the oven.

a caramel chocolate chip cinnamon roll on a white plate with scattered chocolate chips and a pink rose

Recipes

More Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipes

We’ve got cinnamon roll variations for every day of the week! Don’t sleep on trying some of these scrumptious recipes as well: 

Easy Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel and Chocolate Chips

5 from 7 votes
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 10 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Transform store-bought dough with these easy cinnamon rolls! Topped with caramel and chocolate chips, they're ready in minutes and decadently delicious.

Ingredients  

  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 packages Grands canned cinnamon rolls
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter, sugar, cream and salt over medium heat, stirring constantly until combined. Once the mixture has come to a boil, let simmer for a minute. Set aside to slightly cool.
    1 stick unsalted butter, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • In a round 12-inch baking dish, add half of the caramel sauce. Arrange cinnamon rolls over the caramel, making sure to leave space in between each roll. Pour remaining caramel sauce on top, reserving 1/4 cup.
    2 packages Grands canned cinnamon rolls
  • Top with chocolate chips. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, and immediately pour the reserved caramel on top. Serve warm.
    1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 361IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    you two are amazing cooks, and need an app with all your recipes organized there. Thanks, and keep cooking and sharing.

  2. 5 stars
    So delicious!!!!! The caramel plus the cinnamon in the roll is seriously the most decadent combination. Make these- theyโ€™re so easy!

  3. 5 stars
    I made it on ski vacation for a group of adults. I doubled by half recipe and came out perfect. All the adultโ€™s raved. It became a highlight in the evening for the husbandโ€™s to talk about getting back to the house and have a leftover roll!!

  4. 5 stars
    This recipe was a hit (and was so easy to make!) I had to make it a smaller recipe because I didnโ€™t have 2 cans of buns but it worked out anyway, I just adjusted the caramel.