Easy Non-Yeast Cinnamon Rolls: Quick Recipe Without Yeast

Yes, you can make delicious cinnamon rolls without yeast using baking powder or baking soda as a leavening agent. This quick cinnamon roll recipe eliminates the 2+ hour rising time required for traditional yeast rolls, delivering soft, fluffy pastries in about 45 minutes with comparable texture and flavor.

If you've ever wanted cinnamon rolls but didn't have yeast or didn't want to wait hours for dough to rise, this non yeast cinnamon roll recipe solves both problems. These baking powder cinnamon rolls deliver that signature swirl of cinnamon-sugar filling wrapped in tender pastry, ready to bake in under an hour. The secret lies in using chemical leaveners instead of biological yeast, creating a reliable quick bread-style dough that puffs beautifully in the oven without compromising on that melt-in-your-mouth quality you expect from homemade cinnamon rolls.

Why Choose a Non-Yeast Cinnamon Roll Recipe?

Traditional cinnamon rolls require yeast, which means planning ahead for multiple rising periods. For busy mornings or spontaneous cravings, a yeast-free alternative offers significant advantages:

• No waiting - Skip the 1-2 hour rising time required for yeast doughs
• Pantry-friendly ingredients - Uses common baking staples you likely already have
• Consistent results - No risk of yeast inactivation from water temperature issues
• Dietary flexibility - Suitable for those avoiding yeast for health or preference reasons

While yeast-based rolls develop complex flavors during fermentation, this quick cinnamon roll recipe without yeast focuses on immediate satisfaction with reliable texture and rich cinnamon flavor.

How Non-Yeast Rolls Differ From Traditional Versions

Understanding these differences will help set proper expectations for your baking powder cinnamon roll recipe:

Characteristic	Yeast Cinnamon Rolls	Non-Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
Preparation Time	2-3 hours (mostly rising)	30-45 minutes active time
Texture	Chewier, more bread-like	Softer, cake-like crumb
Flavor Development	Complex notes from fermentation	Sweeter, more immediate cinnamon flavor
Leavening Agent	Yeast (biological)	Baking powder/soda (chemical)

Neither version is "better"—they simply offer different experiences. This yeast free cinnamon roll recipe excels when you want bakery-quality results without the wait.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Yeast-Free Rolls

The magic of this quick cinnamon roll recipe without yeast happens through careful ingredient selection and technique. Here's what makes each component essential:

Dough Components

• All-purpose flour - Provides structure; don't substitute cake flour which lacks sufficient gluten
• Baking powder - Primary leavener (use fresh powder for maximum rise)
• Baking soda - Works with acid in buttermilk for additional lift
• Cold butter - Creates flaky layers when cut into flour (like pie crust)
• Buttermilk - Adds tenderness and reacts with baking soda; substitute with milk + 1 tsp vinegar if needed
• Heavy cream - Makes the dough extra tender and rich

Filling & Frosting

• Brown sugar - Melts into that signature gooey filling (don't substitute white sugar)
• Cinnamon - Use Ceylon for delicate flavor or Cassia for stronger punch
• Butter - Softened for easy spreading between dough layers
• Cream cheese - Essential for authentic frosting tang (mascarpone works in a pinch)

Step-by-Step Non Yeast Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Makes 12 rolls | Total time: 45 minutes | Oven: 375°F (190°C)

Dough Preparation

1. Whisk 3 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl
2. Cut 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter into 1/2" cubes, then work into flour using pastry cutter until pea-sized crumbs form
3. Mix 3/4 cup buttermilk and 1/4 cup heavy cream, then gradually stir into flour mixture until shaggy dough forms
4. Turn dough onto floured surface and gently knead 5-6 times just until cohesive (do not overwork)
5. Pat into 12" x 9" rectangle, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 15 minutes (critical for handling)

Roll Assembly

6. Spread 1/2 cup softened butter over chilled dough, leaving 1/2" border
7. Mix 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 2 tbsp cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over butter
8. Tightly roll dough from long side, pinch seam to seal, and cut into 12 equal pieces with dental floss
9. Place rolls cut-side down in greased 9x13" pan, cover, and rest 10 minutes while oven preheats

Baking & Finishing

10. Bake 22-25 minutes until golden brown and center rolls test done (internal temp 190°F)
11. While baking, make frosting: Beat 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth
12. Drizzle warm rolls with frosting immediately after baking for that signature melt-in

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with this straightforward yeast free cinnamon roll recipe, these problems sometimes occur:

Dense or Heavy Rolls

Cause: Overmixing dough or expired leaveners
Solution: Handle dough minimally and test baking powder (1 tsp in hot water should bubble vigorously)

Filling Leaking Out

Cause: Butter too warm or insufficient chilling before baking
Solution: Refrigerate assembled rolls 10 minutes before baking to set the filling

Dry Texture

Cause: Overbaking or inaccurate flour measurement
Solution: Use spoon-and-level method for flour and check rolls at 20 minutes

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you've mastered the basic quick cinnamon roll recipe without yeast, experiment with these crowd-pleasing twists:

• Nutty Delight - Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling
• Apple Cinnamon - Layer 1/2 cup finely diced apples (tossed with 1 tsp lemon juice) with the filling
• Orange Zest - Mix 1 tbsp orange zest into the dough and frosting for citrus notes
• Maple Pecan - Replace brown sugar with maple sugar and add 1/4 cup maple syrup to frosting

Storage and Reheating Tips

These baking powder cinnamon rolls maintain quality better than yeast versions due to their cake-like crumb:

• Room temperature: Store covered 2 days (filling may soften slightly)
• Refrigerated: Keep up to 5 days; reheat individual rolls 15 seconds in microwave
• Freezing: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 3 months; bake from frozen adding 5-7 minutes
• Best reheating method: 30 seconds in microwave followed by 2 minutes in 350°F oven

Can I make non yeast cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the rolls through step 9, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Bake straight from the fridge the next morning, adding 3-5 minutes to baking time. The cold fermentation actually improves flavor development.

Why did my non yeast cinnamon rolls turn out flat?

Flat rolls usually indicate expired baking powder (test by mixing 1 tsp with hot water - should bubble vigorously) or overmixing the dough. Always use fresh chemical leaveners and handle the dough minimally - just until ingredients come together.

Can I use self-rising flour in this recipe?

No, self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, which would throw off the precise leavening balance needed. This non yeast cinnamon roll recipe relies on specific amounts of baking powder and soda for optimal rise without yeast.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during baking?

Chill the assembled rolls for 10 minutes before baking to solidify the butter filling. Also, leave a 1/2-inch border when spreading butter and don't overfill - 3/4 cup brown sugar is the perfect amount for this recipe size.