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Old Fashioned Cinnamon Butter Rolls

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This yummy breakfast recipe is part biscuit like cinnamon rolls and part self saucing pudding cake. It has a gooey sauce that acts almost like a frosting that forms under the rolls. Enjoy them hot for the best breakfast experience.

two butter rolls on plate with thickened milk sauce underneath.

Imagine if you can a cross between cinnamon rolls, flaky biscuits and a self saucing pudding cake.  I know, it seems like a lot of things to put together. 

These yummy rolls find a way to turn them all into one yummy breakfast though.  The biscuit like cinnamon rolls bake in a milk sauce that thickens as it cooks. 

It’s almost like a layer of puddinglike frosting that bakes right under the rolls themselves. Luckily they are easy enough to put together that you don’t have to imagine them, you can make them to see for yourself!

MiMi originally shared this recipe back in the spring of 2015.  I was thinking of making some cinnamon rolls for Little Dude’s breakfast, but didn’t want to wait for the dough to proof twice.

That is when I remembered this recipe. There is no yeast, so they come together really quickly and are in the oven in no time. MiMi had adapted the recipe from a restaurant in Georgia. I adapted it even further today.

raw cinnamon butter roll swirls in pan.

The recipe MiMi put together is listed as well in case you made it that way before and wanted to do it again. I don’t want to take a favorite away from you.

However I think it’s easier to cut in the butter in by hand than it is to clean a food processor, so I went back to that method. I also increased the cinnamon slightly and switched from self rising flour to all-purpose plus baking powder and salt because that is what I always have on hand.

I also like to use melted and cooled butter when I fill cinnamon rolls. I just stir in the cinnamon and sugar then spread it over the dough.

That is so much easier than trying to spread softened butter of the dough without causing any tears. I guess my kitchen is too cold during the winter to properly soften the butter!

These few simple changes make the recipe super accessible for everyone. I have a feeling these old fashioned rolls will quickly work their way into your heart.

saucepan pouring hot milk mixture over raw cinnamon rolls.

A few quick notes about the recipe

Don’t worry about getting anything looking perfect. The rolls are all going to expand and spread anyway. The dish is supposed to be rustic, so don’t stress over getting anything just so.

When you pour the milk over, it is going to look like you just ruined everything. I definitely thought that the first time I made them.

milk mixture and cinnamon rolls ready to bake.

The ratio of hot milk to rolls looks completely off and some of my rolls were completely covered with milk. Don’t despair, throw them in the oven and see what happens!

The rolls are tender and flaky with just enough cinnamon. The warm milk mixture thickens and makes almost a warm vanilla pudding under the rolls.

It all comes together into one delicious bite of old fashioned comfort food goodness. Just you wait and see!

What MiMi had to say about the recipe in 2015

Chloe is coming home for spring break and I wanted to make something special for breakfast tomorrow. She loves cinnamon rolls so when I saw this come across on Facebook this morning I knew I wanted to make it to celebrate Chloe’s homecoming.

I love vintage recipes, so I was excited to try this one. I attempt to never cook with shortening, so I decided to try using butter instead.

I am sure that these will be enjoyed by our family. The biggest challenge will be getting her up in time for breakfast.

-MiMi

lifting gooey cinnamon butter roll out of pan.

The original recipe was from Sweet and Savory Sisters. They said their mom remembers eating them as a child

MiMi made the adjustment from shortening to butter and made them in her food processor and they were good! They were flaky, light and yummy. MiMi said the dough was easy to work with.

MiMi used a 9 x 13 pan because her smaller pan was in use already. Next time she will use the smaller pan, but they turned out good in the larger pan as well.

pan of cinnamon butter rolls with one missing showing gooey milk mixture underneath cinnamon rolls.

The Recipe MiMi shared for Old Fashioned Butter Rolls

(be sure to check in the recipe below for the version of the recipe that I make)

  • 2 cups self rising flour
  • 1 cup butter, cold
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2/3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Grease a 7×11″ casserole dish.
  3. Pour flour into food processor
  4. Cut cold butter into tablespoon chunks and add to flour. Pulse 25 times.
  5. Add milk to the food processor and process until the dough just comes together.
  6. Place dough on floured surface and roll into a 9×18″ rectangle.
  7. Spread butter over dough and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll tightly like you would cinnamon rolls and cut into 12 equual slices.
  8. Arrange in baking dish.
  9. In a saucepan, warm milk and sugar until bubbles start to form. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over rolls.
  10. Bake 30-40 minutes at 350 F
  11. These are best when served warm, but the lefotvers were good too!

My Adapted Recipe

Yield: 12 Servings

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Butter Rolls

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Butter Rolls

This yummy breakfast recipe is part biscuit like cinnamon rolls and part self saucing pudding cake. It has a gooey sauce that acts almost like a frosting that forms under the rolls. Enjoy them hot for the best breakfast experience.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, cold
  • 1/2 cup milk, cold

Filling

  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Milk Sauce

  • 2 cups milk
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a square baking pan.
  2. In mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. Cut in butter until it is in pea sized or smaller crumbles. You can use a pastry cutter or a couple of butter knives to cut it in. (Or do this step in your food processor.)
  4. Stir in the cold milk until it just forms a dough, be careful not to overwork the dough.
  5. Put dough on a flour surface and roll into a large rectangle. 
  6. Mix together the melted butter, sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Spread over the dough.
  7. Roll into a tight log the way you would cinnamon rolls. Cut into 12 pieces and arranged in greased pan.
  8. In a saucepan, warm milk and sugar over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sugar is dissolved and it starts to simmer.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  9. Pour hot milk mixture over butter rolls. Bake for about 40 minutes or until they are golden brown and the milk mixture is thick and bubbly.
  10. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. They are best served warm.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 334Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 389mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g

All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see it! Share a picture on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me @carleecooks to let me know how it went!

More Incredible Breakfast Recipes

This yummy breakfast recipe is part biscuit like cinnamon rolls and part self saucing pudding cake. It has a gooey sauce that acts almost like a frosting that forms under the rolls. Enjoy them hot for the best breakfast experience.

Thanks for sharing!

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Julie's Creative Lifestyle

Tuesday 22nd of December 2020

These rolls look so good and I bet taste delicious. Hope you have a Merry Christmas Carlee.

Carlee

Saturday 9th of January 2021

You'll have to give them a try! Thank you and merry Christmas to you as well!

mommar6

Tuesday 22nd of December 2020

Chloe is home for Christmas!! I suppose we should make these again!!

Carlee

Saturday 9th of January 2021

It seems like the right thing to do!

Andrea Nine

Monday 21st of December 2020

Oh friend, these look just amazing and I love that there is no yeast involved! I just might make these on Christmas morning! Have a festive week my friend!

Carlee

Saturday 9th of January 2021

It is really fun how they cook in the milk and it makes a sauce. I hope you enjoy them!

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