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Classic Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 71 reviews

These Classic Cinnamon Roll Bites are soft, gooey, and bursting with cinnamon flavor. Miniature dough balls coated in buttery cinnamon sugar are baked in a skillet with a rich topping, then finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a delightful snack, these cinnamon bites offer all the pleasure of a classic cinnamon roll in a fun, bite-sized form.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1/2 cup warm milk (about 115°F, 4 oz)
  • 1 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted or softened (2 oz)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted (2 oz)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Gooey Cinnamon Topping

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted (4 oz)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Baking Topping

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (4 oz)

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp heavy cream (2 oz)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: Pour warm milk into a stand mixer bowl and sprinkle yeast over it. Add the egg, melted or softened salted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until combined, then add salt and 2 cups of flour. Mix gently until barely combined, and let rest for 5 minutes to hydrate the flour. Replace the beater with a dough hook and knead on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until elastic and smooth, adding the remaining 1/4 cup flour if needed. The dough should be tacky but manageable.
  2. Let the Dough Rise: Transfer dough to a greased large bowl, cover it with a towel or wax paper, and place in a warm spot to rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. To create a cozy raising environment, briefly preheat the oven on the lowest setting, turn it off, and place the bowl inside.
  3. Form Dough Balls and Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Divide the dough into about 64 small pieces (~3/4 inch each) and roll into balls. Toss these balls in melted butter to coat thoroughly. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon inside a plastic bag and shake the buttered dough balls in the bag to evenly coat them. Arrange coated balls in a greased 10-inch cast iron skillet.
  4. Add Gooey Cinnamon Topping and Proof Again: In a bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pour this mixture evenly over the dough balls in the skillet. Let the assembled skillet rest for an additional 20 minutes to proof and absorb flavors.
  5. Bake the Cinnamon Roll Bites and Pour Heavy Cream: Pour half a cup of heavy cream over the tops of the rolls. Optionally, add half before baking and the other half halfway through baking for extra gooiness. Bake in a preheated 350ºF oven for 27-29 minutes, checking around 25 minutes to ensure the bites bake through and remain soft and golden.
  6. Make the Glaze and Finish: Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze generously over the warm cinnamon roll bites before serving for a luscious finish.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm (about 115°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky; add flour sparingly if needed during kneading.
  • Proofing the dough in a warm spot inside the turned-off oven creates an ideal rising environment.
  • Coating dough balls in butter before cinnamon sugar helps the sugar stick and creates a richer flavor.
  • Use a cast iron skillet if possible to ensure even baking and a nice crust formation.
  • Check baking progress at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking and maintain softness.
  • The glaze can be adjusted for thickness by varying cream quantity slightly.

Keywords: cinnamon roll bites, mini cinnamon rolls, breakfast bites, cinnamon sugar dough balls, cast iron skillet cinnamon rolls

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/classic-cinnamon-roll-bites-recipe/