Do you remember having sleepovers at a friend’s house when you were younger and waking up to the wondrous scent of breakfast? No matter whose house I slept at, cinnamon rolls were always hot and ready. Best way to start the morning? Well, yeah. The warm, sweet smell was enough to get me out of bed in a heartbeat.
Now it seems like everyone is baking store-bought cinnamon rolls with heavy cream thanks to a viral TikTok trend. Here’s what we know about this breakfast hack.
What Is This TikTok Trend?
This TikTok trend is rumored to make cinnamon rolls even better than before. While I thought it was never possible, I’m willing to give anything a shot at least once. The best part? All you need is one extra step, and you’ll have the softest, most melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls of all time.
You probably already have this secret ingredient in your fridge—it’s heavy cream! Let it soak into the cinnamon rolls while they’re baking to add that extra bit of moistness. You can also use this hack for homemade cinnamon rolls, but you’ve got to remember to make sure it’s warm if your dough is warm so you don’t affect the baking process. Cold heavy cream is perfectly fine for store-bought cinnamon rolls.
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Heavy Cream
Big thanks to TikTok users @manthacancook and @mississippi_kween for sharing this trend.
Ingredients
- 2 packages Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
Directions
Step 1: Open the cinnamon rolls
Lauren Habermehl For Taste Of Home
If you’ve made store-bought cinnamon rolls before, you’re already on the right track. Your cinnamon rolls don’t necessarily have to be Pillsbury. Place your cinnamon rolls in an oven-safe dish and set aside.
Step 2: Pour on the cream
Lauren Habermehl For Taste Of Home
In @mississippi_kween‘s TikTok, she uses a little more than half of a 16-ounce carton of heavy whipping cream to cover her cinnamon rolls. There is no set amount for this process, so use what you feel is best. Make sure each cinnamon roll is covered with heavy whipping cream.
Step 3: Bake as directed
Once you’re satisfied with your arrangement, simply follow the baking instructions on the package. Lean toward the longer amount of time for sufficient baking. You may even need to leave it in longer than the package says if the rolls are not yet baked all the way through.
Step 4: Top with icing
Once your cinnamon rolls are finished, pull them from the oven. They should be a fluffy, warm consistency. Don’t forget the icing!
Tips for Making TikTok Cinnamon Rolls
How do you spruce up TikTok cinnamon rolls?
Just add in a few extra ingredients! Combine 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar in a bowl, then pour the mixture over the cinnamon rolls before baking. You could also add toasted pecans or walnuts to this mixture if you’re looking for a nice crunch.
After baking, top each cinnamon roll with homemade cream cheese frosting instead of the icing that comes with the packaging and you’ll have a treat that’s impossible to put down.
Can you use milk instead of heavy cream for these TikTok cinnamon rolls?
Sure! If you find that you don’t have a carton of heavy cream in the fridge, milk—especially whole milk—is a good alternative. The substitution might not give as rich of a flavor or make the cinnamon rolls rise as much, but it’ll still leave you with a tasty breakfast treat.
How do I store leftover TikTok cinnamon rolls?
Everyone loves a warm cinnamon roll, so we recommend eating this treat fresh from the oven for the best experience. However, if you find you have a few rolls leftover, either store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
When you’re ready to eat the leftovers, pop them in the microwave for 30 second intervals until they’re nice and warm again.
Does This TikTok Hack Work?
We asked Lauren Habermehl, one of our recipe developers, to put this hack to the test. “Of all of the crazy TikTok recipes I’ve seen, pouring copious amounts of heavy cream over unbaked Pillsbury cinnamon rolls takes the cake,” she says.
However, upon removing the rolls from the oven, any trace of skepticism vanished, and Lauren says she was transported to pure cinnamon roll bliss with just one bite.
Rather than make the bottom of the rolls soggy, the heavy cream got completely absorbed by the dough in the oven. “The end result is an enriched cinnamon roll that’s not unlike a brioche,” Lauren says. “They’re rich, tender, and totally indulgent.”
If you like your cinnamon rolls to be soft and gooey, this TikTok hack is for you.
Every Way to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Skillet Cinnamon RollsI love using cast iron to get a nice crust on these skillet
cinnamon rolls. The pan also makes an impressive serving dish on the table without it looking as if you tried too hard. —Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
Bread Machine Cinnamon RollsThese bread machine cinnamon rolls are a sweet and gooey treat, dripping with flavor thanks to maple syrup, a fine spice blend and a dose of sugar too.
Can’t-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon RollsMy cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio
Chocolate Chip Caramel RollsAs a teenager, I keep active with sports and friends, but baking is my favorite hobby. My five older brothers eat these delicious breakfast rolls right out of the oven! —Julia Holm, Northfield, Minnesota
Sourdough Cinnamon RollsSourdough cinnamon rolls offer a sweet way to use a sourdough starter. This from-scratch recipe also includes a cream cheese frosting that's oh-so-delicious, especially when the cinnamon rolls are still a little warm.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon RollsThese soft gluten-free cinnamon rolls are filled with cinnamon sugar and smothered in cream cheese frosting—just like the traditional version.
Cinnamon Roll IcingA cinnamon roll just doesn't taste right until you've covered it in sweet, creamy cinnamon roll icing.
Cinnamon Roll PancakesThese fluffy cinnamon roll pancakes have swirls of cinnamon sugar and a cream cheese glaze for the ultimate brunch treat. Whip up a big batch the next time you want to spoil your guests!
Cinnamon Roll CakeCinnamon roll cake combines soft vanilla butter cake with cinnamon swirls and luscious cream cheese icing. It's the perfect sweet treat for weekend brunch or dessert.
Vegan Cinnamon RollsPeople may not believe you when you tell them that these vegan cinnamon rolls are completely plant-based. They’re that unbelievably good!
Cinnamon Roll Apple PieWhether served for brunch or dessert, this cinnamon roll apple pie never fails to impress.
Cinnamon Roll French ToastCinnamon rolls cooked with a French toast custard is the indulgent weekend morning breakfast your family will constantly request. Keep this cinnamon roll French toast recipe close by so you're prepared when the demand comes through.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey BreadYou won't be able to resist a plate of warm, sticky, sweet cinnamon roll monkey bread. It's easy to make since two tubes of refrigerated cinnamon rolls are the base for the deliciously doughy treat.
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie FillingCinnamon rolls with apple pie filling combine two store-bought ingredients to make one speedy, yet delicious dessert.
Blueberry Cinnamon RollsYes, they're naturally that color! Here's how to make blueberry cinnamon rolls at home.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast CasseroleThis impressive-looking cinnamon roll French toast casserole has a sneaky little secret: It's made using canned cinnamon roll dough.
Cinnamon Roll MuffinsThese cinnamon roll muffins take the best parts of a cinnamon roll and combine them with the simplicity of a muffin.
Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon RollsThese strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls have all the flavors of a strawberry cheesecake rolled up into a delicious breakfast treat.
Caramel RollsCaramel rolls, a midwestern favorite, are sweet yeasted rolls that lie somewhere between sticky buns and cinnamon rolls. Our recipe features a drippy caramel sauce and crunchy pecans.
Overnight Cinnamon RollsThe wait may seem hard, but these overnight cinnamon rolls are worth it. Made with a moisture-rich dough and packed with cinnamon goodness, it is the perfect addition to your weekend brunch spread. Serve them piping hot with the decadent glaze dripping down the edges.
Gingerbread Cinnamon RollsThese cinnamon rolls are sure to please anyone who has a sweet tooth. They're just the thing for a Christmas morning treat. Be sure to eat them while they're still warm—they're best that way! The dough for these rolls is sticky, so don't worry if your fingers get messy. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon BunsIndulge in these pumpkin cinnamon rolls for a cozy and delightful twist on the classic treat. Perfect for autumn mornings, these rolls are filled with pumpkin, cinnamon and a sweet glaze that will make your breakfast extra special.
Giant Cinnamon RollThis must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, the sweet spices and the homemade caramel drizzle. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Air-Fryer Bourbon Bacon Cinnamon RollsThis recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to the cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Citrus Heights, California
Sticky BunsThese fluffy, sweet sticky buns are finished with a crunchy caramel-pecan topping. Serve a batch for your next weekend brunch or as the main feature of a holiday spread for Easter, Christmas or Mother's Day.
Toffee Apple Cinnamon BunsThis recipe was my dad’s favorite growing up. He would sit and watch his mom sprinkle the dough with sweet filling, carefully roll it up and cut it into rounds. The anticipation waiting for them to come out of the oven was almost more than he could bear. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Mocha Cinnamon RollsI love cinnamon rolls and coffee together! They are the perfect flavor combination, which is proven by these mocha cinnamon rolls. —Victoria Mitchel, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Eggnog RollsI needed to use up some eggnog, so I swapped it for milk in my sweet roll
recipe. Even people who usually don’t go for eggnog go back for seconds of these yummy frosted treats. —Rebecca Soske, Douglas, Wyoming
Red Velvet Cinnamon RollsIf you ever wished you could have red velvet cake for breakfast, now you can, thanks to these vanilla-iced red velvet cinnamon rolls.
Best Cinnamon RollsWhen I married him, I discovered that my husband's family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I've been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas
Cinnamon Roll Cherry CobblerRed Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
Tender Pecan Sticky BunsThese homemade caramel rolls have the old-fashioned goodness my family craves. Tender and nutty, the buns disappear fast on Christmas. —Julia Spence, New Braunfels, Texas
Bacon Cinnamon BunsI absolutely love bacon! I also love recipes that blend sweet and savory flavors, so I put chopped bacon in traditional cinnamon buns for a finger-licking-good combination. —Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
Gooey Lemon RollsMy mother made these hard-to-resist rolls when I was young. I always warm up after having one, and so will your family. —Cora Patterson, Lewiston, Idaho
Cinnamon Roll CookiesI love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll PuddingPerfect for dessert or breakfast, this sinfully sweet cinnamon roll bread pudding recipe is made with day-old cinnamon rolls, eggs, milk and raisins for a satisfying treat that practically makes itself in the slow cooker.
Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider GlazeI love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio