Name: Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 140 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 1 cup milk; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 packet instant dry yeast ((2 ¼ teaspoon)); 2 Tablespoons honey; 2 ½ - 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 Tablespoons brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons white sugar; 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon; 2 Tablespoons softened unsalted butter; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 4 ounce softened cream cheese ((½ block)); 1 teaspoon maple flavoring ((or vanilla extract)); 2 Tablespoons milk

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This recipe for Homemade Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting will have everyone running to the breakfast table!

A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE

There is nothing better than waking up to the scent of fresh baked cinnamon rolls! These cinnamon rolls are perfect for brunch with a fresh cup of hot coffee or even some mimosas. Or better yet, make them for dessert. There are no rules here!

Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls with maple cream cheese frosting, one roll on a spatula

TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS:

These rolls can be prepared the night before. Make the rolls and put them into the crock pot. Then cover the entire pot very tightly with a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Then pop the whole thing into your refrigerator. When you get up in the morning, take the crock out of the fridge and set your slow cooker on low. Put the insert back into the slow cooker. Because you are starting from cold, you’ll want to warm the rolls up on low for about 45 minutes before switching over to high to cook. This will help the rolls to rise.
Add flour in ½ cup increments so you do not add too much flour. Once a dough ball has formed, don’t add anymore flour.
Make sure to use a paper towel under the lid to collect the condensation. This will help prevent a soggy top. Do not use a cloth towel.
An important step is to turn the crockpot on low for 20 minutes to help the rolls rise better before cooking.
The rolls won’t brown in the crockpot, but you can place them on a baking sheet and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes in a preheated 375°F oven.
I am using maple flavoring in the icing for this recipe. If you don’t want to use the maple flavoring, just substitute for vanilla extract.
Store in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Homemade Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Icing recipe from the Country Cook, shown on a large oval, white platter with a cup of coffee in the background

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

milk
unsalted butter
instant dry yeast
honey
all-purpose flour
egg
salt
brown sugar
white sugar
ground cinnamon
powdered sugar
cream cheese
maple flavoring (or vanilla extract)

ingredients needed: milk, unsalted butter, instant dry yeast, honey, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, brown sugar
white sugar, ground cinnamon, powdered sugar, cream cheese

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CINNAMON ROLLS:

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk and butter in the microwave, (or this can be done in a small saucepan on the stovetop), until just till warm, about 95°F. You don’t want this too hot or it will kill the yeast. Add the yeast and honey and let sit for a couple minutes until it begins to bubble. This process is called ‘proofing’ and is necessary to make sure your yeast is still good.

instant yeast, honey, butter and warm milk in the bottom of a stand mixer

Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and add ½ cup of flour. Mix, then add in the egg and salt. Continue to add ½ cup of flour at a time until a ball forms.

flour added to yeast mixture in the bowl of an electric stand mixer

You might only need to add a little over 2 cups of flour. Don’t add too much or dough will be too dry.

mixing together cinnamon roll batter in a stand mixer

As it starts to come together in a thicker dough, switch to a dough hook on your stand mixer.

thick cinnamon dough batter almost formed into a bowl in a stand mixer

Turn on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Remove dough hook and let the dough ball rest for 10 minutes.

dough hook attached to stand mixer with cinnamon roll dough ball in the bottom of the stand mixer bowl

In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, regular sugar and cinnamon together. Dust a surface with a little flour and place dough on the flour. Using a rolling pin, roll dough into a large rectangle-ish shape.

rolled out cinnamon roll dough into a rectangular shape on a marble surface

Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.

softened butter spread onto dough batter

Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter layer.

brown sugar cinnamon mixture sprinkled on top of butter on cinnamon roll dough

Starting on the long side, roll up the cinnamon rolls like a log and pinch closed.

rolling up cinnamon roll dough into a log shape

Cut log into 10 to 12 pieces. Spray a 6-quart oval crockpot with nonstick spray and place a sheet of parchment paper into the pot. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray.

sliced cinnamon roll dough alongside a slow cooker that has parchment paper placed inside

Place the cinnamon rolls in an even layer in the pot.

sliced cinnamon rolls layered into the bottom of an oval crock pot lined with parchment paper

Place a paper towel (not a kitchen towel) under the lid to keep condensation from dropping onto the rolls creating a wet top. Turn the slow cooker on low for 25 minutes to give the rolls a little time to start rising.

a covered slow cooker shown with a paper towel underneath the lid

When the 20 minutes are finished turn the slow cooker temperature to high for 2 hours. CHECK after they have cooked for an hour and a half. Rolls may finish early. They won’t get brown on top in the crock pot. If you want brown tops, place rolls in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

fully baked cinnamon rolls in the slow cooker

Make the icing while the rolls are cooking. Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar together, add the maple flavoring (or vanilla extract) and milk and continue to mix till smooth.