Julie Clark
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Cinnamon Roll Bites with the Gooey Center in Every Piece
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Cinnamon roll bites are bite-size balls of soft cinnamon roll dough, rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked in a brown sugar syrup. They are soaked with heavy cream so each bite tastes like the center of a cinnamon roll.
I chased this center-of-the-roll-bites around my mind for about 3 years. Our Better than Cinnabon cinnamon rolls became famous because of the heavy cream, and that’s the same idea we use with this recipe. The sauce turns into a caramel-like glaze that soaks into every bite.
About this Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe
- Flavor: Cinnamon. Buttery sweet. Vanilla glaze. Those are the key flavors in this middle of the cinnamon roll casserole recipe.
- Texture: Ooey gooey. Silky smooth cinnamon sauce coats every piece of soft cinnamon roll dough. These are best served warm when they are super soft.
- Method: I used a 10″ cast iron skillet to bake the casserole. You can use a 9×13 baking dish or a large deep dish pie plate if you have one.
Try our creative cinnamon roll recipes!
Center of the Cinnamon Roll
Cinnabon has a menu item called “Center of the Roll”. I’ve had them and to be honest, I was less than impressed. I have no idea how they actually make the cinna bites, but to me, they tasted like day old Cinnabon’s that they tried to revive by pouring some cinnamon syrup and glaze over.
I knew I could do better, so this is our cinnabites dessert. There are several steps and it takes a bit of time, but I’ll give tips for shortcuts below. You can do this and it is totally worth it!
How do you make cinnamon roll bites?
Make a soft yeast dough, cut it into small balls, coat them in butter and cinnamon sugar, then bake them in a brown sugar cinnamon syrup with heavy cream poured over top. Here is the quick version:
- Mix and knead the dough, then let it rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into roughly 64 small balls, about ¾ inch each.
- Toss the balls in melted butter, then shake them in cinnamon and brown sugar to coat every side. Place the balls in a greased skillet, pour the cinnamon syrup over top, and let rise 20 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream over the bites and bake at 350°F for 27 to 29 minutes.
- Whisk up the powdered sugar glaze and drizzle it over the warm bites.
If this is your first time working with yeast, read our complete guide to baking with yeast and our tips for helping dough to rise.
Can you make cinnamon roll bites with canned dough?
Skip the homemade dough and use two tubes of refrigerated biscuits or a can of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. You still get the gooey center as long as you keep the butter, cinnamon sugar, syrup, and heavy cream steps.
How do you make the cinnamon syrup?
There are two elements of this recipe that make the cinnamon syrup.
- The cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll or dip balls in melted butter, then shake in cinnamon and sugar. This will coat every side of every dough ball ensuring that cinnamon flavor is in every bite. This is the same method we use in our monkey bread recipe.
- The cinnamon syrup. After you’ve coated the dough balls, whip up a quick cinnamon syrup using butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Then pour this over the dough balls.
Each part is important. The first time I only used the cinnamon syrup and it just wasn’t enough flavor. Take the time to coat the dough balls. It will be worth it.
Why pour heavy cream over cinnamon roll bites?
Just as we do with our cinnamon rolls, the cinnamon roll bites have heavy cream poured over them as well. That heavy cream soaks around each bite and helps the sugar syrup to turn into a fantastic caramel-like glaze.
You love our heavy cream cinnamon rolls for being ooey gooey, and these are no different.
A delicious mistake
We tested this recipe so many times I got tired and made a few mistakes. One was blessing in disguise.
Here it is: For extra gooey rolls, wait until half way through baking to pour the cream on the rolls. This allows some of the cream to stay in the pan rather than get soaked into the dough. Either way works and we like both ways.
Don’t forget the powdered sugar glaze.
The center of the cinnamon roll always has the most glaze which is partly what makes it the best. I made a simple powdered sugar glaze from scratch. You may be thinking “ugh…another part to this recipe?!” But trust me, this is the easiest.
Simply whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract and heavy cream. Then pour this over the golden brown bites. It helps add one last blast of “gooey” to the bites.
Frosting Shortcuts
Use store bought vanilla frosting or cream cheese frosting if you prefer. Or if you used canned Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough, the frosting that came with them will work in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cinnamon roll bites with canned biscuits or cinnamon rolls?
Yes. Use two tubes of refrigerated biscuits or a can of refrigerated cinnamon rolls in place of the homemade dough. Cut them into quarters, roll into balls, and pick the recipe back up at the butter and cinnamon sugar step. If you use canned cinnamon rolls, the icing in the can works for your glaze.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the bites through the syrup step, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes, pour on the heavy cream, and bake. It makes a great make-ahead breakfast for holidays and weekend guests.
Why are my cinnamon roll bites dry instead of gooey?
Dry bites almost always mean the heavy cream got skipped or they baked a few minutes too long. Do not skip the cream, and pull them the moment the tops are golden and set. For extra gooey bites, wait until halfway through baking to pour the cream on so more of it stays in the pan.
What is the difference between cinnamon roll bites and cinnamon roll balls?
They are the same thing. Some people call them cinnamon roll balls or cinnamon bun bites because the dough is rolled into small balls before baking. Whatever you call them, the goal is that soft, gooey center in every piece.
Storage Instructions
The cinnamon bites are best served fresh from the oven. If you have leftover cinnamon roll bites, store them in the fridge for 2-3 days or the freezer for up to 6 weeks and warm them in the microwave before serving.
Other Recipes To Love
Cinnamon Roll Bites (Every Bite Gooey)
Do you love the soft & gooey center of the cinnamon roll? Cinnamon roll bites are baked in cinnamon syrup and heavy cream to create a bunch of "middles".
Servings 12
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 29 minutes
Rise Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 44 minutes
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1/2 cup warm milk about 115 degrees F, 4 ounces
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast* I like Red Star Platinum Baking Yeast
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/4 cup salted butter Melted, but make sure it isn't over 110º Fahrenheit. Just softened is fine. (2 ounces)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour divided, 293 grams
To shake the dough balls:
- 1/4 cup melted salted butter 2 ounces
- 1/2 cup brown sugar 100 grams
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
For the syrup:
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted, 4 ounces
- 1/4 cup brown sugar 55 grams
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
To pour over the top:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream** 4 ounces
For the powdered sugar glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar 130 grams
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream 2 ounces
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the dough:
- Pour the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast overtop. ½ cup warm milk, 1 ½ teaspoons instant dry yeast*
- Add the egg, butter and sugar. Mix until combined. 1 large egg , ¼ cup salted butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Add in salt and 2 cups of flour. Mix using the beater blade just until the ingredients are barely combined. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes so the flour has time to soak up the liquids. ½ teaspoon salt, 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Scrape the dough off the beater blade and remove it. Attach the dough hook.
- Beat the dough on medium speed. Knead for 5-7 minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth. Add the last ¼ cup of flour if the dough is too sticky. **The dough should be tacky and will still be sticking to the sides of the bowl. That's ok!
- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Use a rubber spatula to remove the dough from the mixer bowl and place it in the greased large bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel or wax paper.
- Set the bowl in a warm place and allow the dough to rise until almost double. I like to turn on the oven to the lowest setting for 1-2 minutes. Then turn off the oven and place the dough to rise in there. It normally takes about 30 minutes for the dough to rise. Do not allow the dough to rise too much.
- Split off about 64 ¾” dough pieces. Roll into balls. Toss dough balls in melted butter. ¼ cup melted salted butter
- Place ½ cup brown sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Shake the dough balls in the bag with the sugar to coat them. Place them in a greased 10” cast iron skillet. Set aside. ½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
Make the syrup:
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. ½ cup salted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- Then pour butter/brown sugar/cinnamon mixture over the top of the dough balls. Let this rise for about 20 minutes.
Heavy cream:
- Pour ½ cup heavy cream over the rolls. Or, for extra gooey rolls, wait until half way through baking to pour the cream on the rolls. This allows some of the cream to stay in the pan rather than get soaked into the dough. Either way works and we like both ways. ½ cup heavy cream**
Bake the rolls:
- Bake at 350ºF for 27-29 minutes or until the cinnamon roll bites are baked through.
Make the glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls. 1 cup powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons heavy cream, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Notes
*Different yeast calls for slightly different proofing methods. We follow Red Star Platinum’s temperature guidelines. Please check your yeast packet to see what temperature the milk should be at.
**If you don’t have cream, use half and half, coffee creamer, evaporated milk, whole milk or coconut cream. Any of these will work. Even 2% milk will work, but we prefer a higher fat milk.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and warm them in the microwave to serve again.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 733IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Can I use a 13×9? I don’t have cast iron
I do not have a stand mixer. Any advice?
Hi I’m trying to make these for the morning after thanksgiving what is the best way to prepare these before for it to be quickest to bake in the morning?
Can you make the dough and refrigerate overnight after you make the dough balls?
These are amazing! Can you freeze these?
Can I make the dough the night before and let 2nd rise overnight in fridge?
It says 2 1/4 cups flour, divided… I’m not finding anywhere it’s divided in the instructions??
Hi! I’m making this now and am wondering about the ingredients for the syrup. It says 1/2 cup brown sugar (55 grams). Can you please clarify this?
hi! how would you adapt the recipe so it could be made as fast as possible? refrigerate the balls with syrup and just take out before cooking? Thanks!
Have you ever used plant based butter for baking?
Question. When you say “bake” them for 27 minutes at 350 degrees, are you saying to do this on the stove top? Or are you saying putting the cast iron skillet in the stove? I’m a bit confused 😅
This is a keeper! I have made this twice this week! The first time I made as per the recipe as written, I found that there was a little too much sugar, I know right, but it was a little too much. The heavy cream is an absolute MUST to ensure dreamy light pillows of deliciousness. I used a spring form pan because I did not have anything that would be the correct size. I wrapped the pan in foil so the cream would not leak out, the second time I used a bundt pan, I did several modifications so… Read more »
Delicious alternative to cinnamon buns, and far less work…. I use white soelt flour for baking, I am gluten intolerant and cannot process regular flour, so finding recipes that I can adapt is wonderful. I followed this recipe as written, making an adjustment to the amount of flour as needed, which for me was adding 3 teaspoons to the 2 1/4 cups. We found the amount of sugar a tad on the sweet side for us, so next time I will omit the extra “syrup” and just coat the balls in the sugar and cinnamon. I dipped the dough balls… Read more »
Love this idea! I usually make your copycat Cinnabon cinnamon roll recipe, but this reminds me of Monkey Bread and I never thought to use frozen bread loaves in place of refrigerated dough. In a pinch, the refrigerated dough is fine for MB, but the dough has a off taste I don’t like.
If you tried this using frozen bread loaves, how many loaves did you use to get 64 dough balls?
Hi. do you have a video of the recipe?
Thanks
Laila