This easy caramel cinnamon rolls recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, makes a delicious breakfast or brunch treat, and is quick enough for busy mornings.
If you want a simple sticky bun recipe without the time required for homemade dough, this is a perfect option. It uses premade cinnamon rolls topped with an easy caramel sauce so you get incredible flavor with minimal effort.
These caramel cinnamon rolls are great for potlucks, a relaxed Sunday morning, or any time you want a special breakfast without a long recipe. They deliver that classic sticky bun texture and rich caramel flavor.
How to make caramel cinnamon rolls
- Preheat the oven and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the caramel sauce: combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, vanilla, and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until the mixture is melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the warm caramel sauce into the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
- Arrange premade cinnamon rolls in the pan, placing each roll cinnamon-side down into the sauce.
- Bake according to instructions below, then let cool for 5 minutes and invert onto a serving plate so the caramel coats the tops.
Flipping the pan can feel intimidating, but using a large flat plate or cutting board to cover the pan makes it easy. If the rolls stick, give them a few extra minutes—gravity will help release them.
What to do with extra rolls or icing
If your pan fits 15 rolls, you may have one left over. Bake any extra roll in a cupcake liner and use leftover cream cheese icing to frost it for a small treat. Extra icing also works well on pumpkin cupcakes or pumpkin bread, or spread lightly over the finished sticky buns for extra sweetness.
Can I use larger canned cinnamon rolls?
Yes. If you prefer larger buns, use two cans of Grands cinnamon rolls (10 total) and arrange them in the pan the same way. Baking time remains the same—watch the rolls so they don’t overbrown.
How to invert the caramel cinnamon rolls
Use a large cutting board or flat plate that fully covers the 9×13 pan. Hold the board and pan together and flip them in one motion. If the rolls need a little more time to release, wait 5–10 minutes and try again. Remove the pan to reveal caramel-coated cinnamon rolls ready to serve.
This method avoids the time-consuming steps of making dough from scratch while still delivering a crowd-pleasing result. It’s an easy way to enjoy sticky buns any morning.
If you try this recipe or want more quick breakfast ideas, leave a comment below.
More recipes to explore:
- Orange Cranberry Muffins
- Orange Julius Copycat Smoothie
- Cinnamon Toast Cereal Bars
- Easy Buttermilk Scones
- Blueberry Coffee Cake
- Candied Citrus Peels
- Churro Cheesecake
Caramel Cinnamon Rolls
A quick caramel cinnamon rolls recipe that comes together in about 25–30 minutes—perfect for a fast sweet breakfast.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (12.4 oz each) cinnamon rolls
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Make the caramel: combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, vanilla, and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Pour the caramel sauce into the prepared baking dish. Place the cinnamon rolls into the sauce, cinnamon side down.
- Bake for 20 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, lay foil loosely over the dish if the tops are browning too quickly.
- Remove from the oven and let sit 5 minutes. Place a large plate or cutting board over the pan and carefully invert to release the sticky buns. Serve warm.
Notes
Tips:
- You can use Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls—two cans (10 rolls) work well if you prefer larger buns.
- If the rolls stick when flipping, wait an extra 5–10 minutes; the caramel will loosen and the rolls will release more easily.
Nutrition (per roll, approximate)
Calories: 133 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 8 g | Sugar: 14 g
Post updated 12/21/2021, 10/7/2022