Quick Cinnamon Rolls (1-Hour No Yeast Recipe)

Satisfy your cravings for warm, gooey, and Quick Cinnamon Rolls in just 1 hour with this easy no-yeast recipe. Using a dough made with self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, this recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious breakfast treat!

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I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast or brunch but I just didn't feel like making them the night before. In desperation, I tried my two ingredient dough, the same dough that I used to make simple bagels and quick English muffins and the easiest flatbread, to make these Quick Cinnamon Rolls, and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I already have an amazing overnight cinnamon roll recipe. I even have a biscuit cinnamon roll recipe. I love options. But I wanted something even easier than those and it doesn't get any easier than using this two ingredient dough. The Greek yogurt makes them taste like sourdough cinnamon rolls and the self rising flour makes sure they rise tall and fluffy. I've tested this recipe numerous times and it comes out perfect every single time.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed for these quick and easy two ingredient dough homemade cinnamon rolls are pictured below. No egg, no active dry yeast or instant yeast -  just simple, easy to find ingredients. Let's go over the major players and see how you can make changes, if needed, and get ready to enjoy one of my favorite brunch recipes!

For the dough

• Self-rising flour - When using self rising flour you don't have to worry about adding salt or a leavening agent, like baking powder or baking soda, because they are included. If you can't find it in the store, see the note below for details on how to make your own self rising flour.
• Greek yogurt - Do not use plain yogurt, which has a very thin consistency. You really need the thick texture of Greek yogurt. In pinch you could use sour cream or even blended cottage cheese. It will be combined with granulated sugar and vanilla extract, which is technically vanilla Greek yogurt, so you could use vanilla Greek yogurt. if you want these to be vegan, feel free to use your choice of vegan yogurt, as long as it is extra thick.

For the filling

• Unsalted butter - I use unsalted butter in all of my recipes because there is no standard across brands for how much salt can be added to butter. If you were using salted butter omit the added salt from the filling.
• Brown sugar - You can use either light or dark brown sugar, both will taste delicious.

For the glaze

• Cream cheese - I use Full fat cream cheese because I just don't like the taste of low-fat, but you can use whatever you like. Even a vegan cream cheese.
• Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar is needed in the glaze because it dissolves quickly into the cream cheese and also add some thickness due to the cornstarch it contains.
• Milk - You can pretty much use any milk that you like. You could even substitute with a citrus juice, if that's the vibe you want. I start with one and a half tablespoons and sometimes use up to 3 tablespoons of liquid, depending on how thick I want the glaze that day.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Making self-rising flour

I use self-rising flour in so many of my recipes. I use it in the batter for my condensed milk pancakes, they are the base of my two ingredient biscuits, and I even make a no yeast English muffin with it. If you don't want to buy a special flour, or you can't find it in the store, you can make your own. Here's how:

For every cup of self rising flour that is called for in the recipe, you will substitute with one cup of all purpose flour + 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder + ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. If you don't have kosher salt, you can substitute with half the amount of table salt. Whisk well to combine all of the ingredients.

To make this recipe, you will need a combined total of 2 cups of all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon of baking powder + ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.

Quick Recipe Video

Step-by-Step Instructions

I know that making cinnamon rolls, even these 2 ingredient dough cinnamon rolls, looks and sounds daunting, but I promise you this is the easiest recipe you will ever find. First you'll make the sweetened 2 ingredient dough. While that is resting for 15 minutes, you will make the cinnamon sugar filling and the cream cheese glaze. Then it's time to roll out the dough, fill it, and roll up some... well, rolls.

As always, I suggest that you read all the way through the recipe, look at the pictures so you can see exactly what to do, gather your ingredients, and get started. All the pictures are here for your reference and to help you make delicious cinnamon rolls in less than an hour! Let's break it down:

Making the dough

Step 1:  In a large mixing bowl, stir together your Greek yogurt, granulated sugar, and a splash of vanilla. Add sifted self rising flour to the mixture.

Step 2: Use a flexible spatula to mix together the dough, pressing the wet yogurt into the flour to help it absorb. Continue mixing until there is very little dry flour visible, adding 1 tablespoon additional yogurt if needed.

Step 3: Sprinkle your counter with flour and turn out the dough. Use your hands to knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is fairly smooth and has a slightly tacky surface. (this can also be done in a stand mixer)

If the dough is still sticking to your hand, lightly flour the dough and your hands and continue kneading.

Step 4: When finished, the dough should feel like the sticky part of a post-it note and, if you poke it gently, no wet dough should stick to your finger.

Cover the ball of dough with a kitchen towel, or plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes while you make the filling and the glaze.

Making the cinnamon sugar filling

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a skillet or cake pan with parchment paper.

Step 1: Microwave your softened butter for about 10 seconds, allowing some of it to melt. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of salt.

Step 2: Stir well with a spatula until you have a smooth cinnamon sugar butter. Set aside.

Making the cream cheese icing

Step 1: Use hand mixer to beat 4 ounces of cream cheese with one cup of powdered sugar until roughly combined. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, up to 3 tablespoons.

Step 2: Continue mixing until you have a smooth glaze the consistency of plain yogurt. Set aside.

Making the cinnamon rolls

Step 1: Flour your surface and roll your cinnamon roll dough out about ¼ inch thick, making an approximately 9 inch by 15 inch rectangle.

Spread your filling in an even layer over the surface of the rolled dough and cut it into anywhere between eight and 12 strips, depending on how many individual rolls you want.

Step 2: Roll each strip of dough into a spiral, tucking the end underneath. Place the rolls, touching each other, into a parchment paper lined cake pan or 8 inch small cast-iron skillet.

Optional Step 3: Before baking drizzle over all of the rolls with 2 tablespoons of warm heavy cream. This will help your cinnamon rolls to stay moist and fluffy for longer.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow your fluffy cinnamon rolls to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before spreading generously with your glaze.

Enjoy immediately with a nice Iced French Toast Latte or hot Pumpkin Spice Latte.

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