The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls

The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls: Buttery, Fluffy & Perfectly Sweet
Few things in life are as comforting as a warm, gooey cinnamon roll straight from the oven. And if you’ve ever tried The Pioneer Woman’s famous cinnamon rolls, you know they’re soft, buttery, and irresistibly delicious.
These homemade cinnamon rolls are extra fluffy, filled with cinnamon-sugar goodness, and topped with a rich vanilla glaze that melts into every bite. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, this foolproof recipe is guaranteed to impress!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Rolls
✔ Ultra Soft & Fluffy – The dough is light, buttery, and tender.
✔ Rich & Gooey – Packed with brown sugar and cinnamon filling.
✔ Easy to Make Ahead – Perfect for overnight prep or freezing.
✔ Better Than Cinnabon! – Freshly baked and homemade with love.
✔ A Pioneer Woman Favorite – A tried-and-true recipe with amazing flavor!
The Best Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for sharing or freezing for later!
Ingredients (Makes 24 Rolls)
For the Dough:
- 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 packets active dry yeast (or 4 ½ teaspoons)
- 9 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- 2 cups melted butter (yes, really!)
- 2 cups brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup ground cinnamon
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 bag (2 lbs) powdered sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup brewed coffee (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a large pot, heat milk, vegetable oil, and sugar over medium heat until warm (not boiling).
- Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm (about 105°F-110°F).
- Sprinkle in yeast, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir in 8 cups of flour, mixing until combined.
- Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients
- After rising, stir in baking powder, baking soda, salt, and remaining 1 cup of flour.
- Dough will be slightly sticky—that’s perfect!
3. Roll Out & Fill
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out dough into a large rectangle (about 30×10 inches).
- Brush melted butter over the dough.
- Sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll & Slice
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Slice into 1-inch thick rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Place rolls into buttered baking pans.
5. Let Rise & Bake
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Make the Glaze & Drizzle
- Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, coffee (or milk), vanilla, and salt.
- Pour over warm cinnamon rolls, letting it melt into the swirls.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Rolls
✅ Use warm milk (not hot) – This activates the yeast without killing it.
✅ Roll tightly – Helps create perfect spirals that stay intact.
✅ Let the dough rise properly – A good rise = extra soft rolls!
✅ For extra gooey rolls – Add a little extra butter and brown sugar before rolling.
✅ Don’t overbake – Rolls should be lightly golden, not dry.
Variations & Customizations
Want to switch it up? Try these fun variations!
1. Pecan Caramel Cinnamon Rolls 🍯
🍯 Sprinkle chopped pecans and drizzle with caramel sauce.
2. Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls 🎃
🍂 Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to the dough.
3. Maple Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls 🍁
🧁 Swap the glaze for a maple-flavored cream cheese frosting.
4. Chocolate Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls 🍫
🍫 Spread Nutella instead of cinnamon sugar for a chocolatey twist!
How to Store & Reheat
These rolls store beautifully, making them great for meal prep!
Storing:
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating:
- Oven: Warm at 300°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat in 15-second bursts, covered with a damp paper towel.
Freezing:
- Freeze unbaked rolls before rising, then thaw overnight and bake as directed.
- Freeze baked rolls and reheat as needed!
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls
These Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls are buttery, fluffy, and filled with gooey cinnamon goodness. Whether you’re making them for Christmas morning, a weekend treat, or brunch, they’ll be a huge hit with everyone!
🔥 Try them today and enjoy the best homemade cinnamon rolls ever! 🔥

The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for sharing or freezing for later!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 packets active dry yeast (or 4 ½ teaspoons)
- 9 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- 2 cups melted butter (yes, really!)
- 2 cups brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup ground cinnamon
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 bag (2 lbs) powdered sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup brewed coffee (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a large pot, heat milk, vegetable oil, and sugar over medium heat until warm (not boiling).
- Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm (about 105°F-110°F).
- Sprinkle in yeast, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir in 8 cups of flour, mixing until combined.
- Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients
- After rising, stir in baking powder, baking soda, salt, and remaining 1 cup of flour.
- Dough will be slightly sticky—that’s perfect!
3. Roll Out & Fill
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out dough into a large rectangle (about 30×10 inches).
- Brush melted butter over the dough.
- Sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll & Slice
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Slice into 1-inch thick rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Place rolls into buttered baking pans.
5. Let Rise & Bake
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Make the Glaze & Drizzle
- Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, coffee (or milk), vanilla, and salt.
- Pour over warm cinnamon rolls, letting it melt into the swirls.
Notes
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Rolls
✅ Use warm milk (not hot) – This activates the yeast without killing it.
✅ Roll tightly – Helps create perfect spirals that stay intact.
✅ Let the dough rise properly – A good rise = extra soft rolls!
✅ For extra gooey rolls – Add a little extra butter and brown sugar before rolling.
✅ Don’t overbake – Rolls should be lightly golden, not dry.