Starting your morning with warm, gooey Coffee Cinnamon Rolls fresh from the oven is pure magic. As someone who's been baking these beauties every weekend for years, I can tell you there's nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and butter filling your kitchen while your coffee brews. These Coffee Cinnamon Rolls combine two breakfast favorites into one irresistible treat that'll make you want to hit snooze just to enjoy them longer.
This Breakfast recipe brings together soft yeast dough, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a sweet coffee glaze that takes these rolls to the next level. Whether you're hosting brunch or just treating yourself on a lazy Sunday, these Coffee Cinnamon Rolls deliver bakery-quality results without the bakery prices. Trust me, once you make these, store-bought rolls won't cut it anymore.
What Makes These Coffee Cinnamon Rolls Special
These Coffee Cinnamon Rolls stand out because they're actually infused with real brewed coffee in the glaze, giving them a subtle coffee flavor that pairs perfectly with your morning cup. Unlike regular cinnamon rolls, these have that coffee shop vibe right in your kitchen. The dough is incredibly soft and pillowy, thanks to a simple technique of letting it rise twice, which creates those beautiful fluffy layers everyone loves.
What really sets these Coffee Cinnamon Rolls apart is how they balance sweetness with that warm cinnamon spice and hint of coffee. They're not overly sugary like some breakfast pastries can be. These rolls pair wonderfully with scrambled eggs and bacon for a complete breakfast spread, or enjoy them solo with your favorite coffee blend. The coffee glaze adds moisture and flavor without being too heavy, making each bite absolutely perfect.
Jump to:
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Instant yeast
- Warm milk
- Melted butter
- Egg
- Salt
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- Softened butter
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Instant coffee powder
For the Coffee Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Brewed coffee
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Warm the milk to about 110°F, just warm to the touch
- Mix warm milk with sugar and yeast in a large bowl
- Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy
- Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture
- Gradually stir in flour, one cup at a time
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel
- Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size
Step 2: Make the Filling and Roll
- Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and instant coffee powder in a bowl
- Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles
- Roll dough into a 16x12 inch rectangle on a floured surface
- Spread the cinnamon-coffee mixture evenly, leaving a small border
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log
- Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss
- Place rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes
Step 3: Bake the Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Bake Coffee Cinnamon Rolls for 25 minutes until golden brown
- Check that the center rolls are cooked through
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes
Step 4: Add the Coffee Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, brewed coffee, melted butter, and vanilla extract
- Adjust consistency by adding more coffee if too thick
- Drizzle the warm glaze generously over warm rolls
- Let it soak in for a few minutes before serving
Expert Cooking Tips
Getting perfect Coffee Cinnamon Rolls takes a few tricks I've learned over the years:
- Temperature matters for yeast ; your milk should feel like a warm bath, not hot. Too hot kills the yeast, too cold won't activate it. Keep it around 110°F for best results.
- Don't skip the second rise ; this is what makes your rolls extra fluffy and light. Rushing this step gives you dense rolls instead of those pillowy soft ones you're after.
- Use dental floss to cut rolls ; sounds weird but works perfectly. Slide unflavored floss under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull tight. You get clean cuts without squishing the dough.
- Room temperature butter spreads easier ; take your butter out 30 minutes before making the filling. Cold butter tears the dough, while room temp butter spreads like a dream.
- Brew strong coffee for the glaze ; weak coffee won't give you that rich flavor. Use a dark roast or espresso for the best taste.
- Check doneness in the center ; the middle rolls take longest to bake. They should be golden and spring back when lightly pressed.
- Glaze while warm ; the glaze soaks into warm rolls better, creating that sweet, sticky coating everyone loves. Cold rolls don't absorb it as well.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Here are a few creative twists you can try to customize your Coffee Cinnamon Rolls while keeping that same comforting flavor, aroma, and soft bakery-style texture you love.
Make Them Vegan
Swap regular milk for oat or almond milk, use vegan butter, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes). This vegan version keeps your rolls soft, rich, and full of flavor while staying completely dairy-free.
Try Cream Cheese Frosting
Skip the coffee glaze and top your rolls with a creamy frosting instead. Beat 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. The tangy frosting perfectly complements the sweetness of the Coffee Cinnamon Rolls.
Add Espresso Chocolate Chips
For a mocha-inspired twist, sprinkle ½ cup chocolate chips over the cinnamon filling before rolling. The melted chocolate enhances the coffee flavor, adding a decadent, café-style touch that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee.
Make Them Overnight
Prepare your rolls the night before. After cutting and arranging them in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed. Ideal for easy, stress-free mornings and fresh-baked Coffee Cinnamon Rolls without the rush.
Reduce Sugar for Less Sweetness
Prefer a lighter version? Simply cut the brown sugar in the filling to ½ cup and the powdered sugar in the glaze to 1 cup. You’ll still enjoy a balanced flavor with just the right level of sweetness.
Use Whole Wheat Flour
For a heartier texture, replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Add an extra tablespoon of milk since whole wheat absorbs more liquid. This gives your rolls a slightly nutty flavor and added fiber.
Create Mini Rolls
Cut your dough log into 24 smaller pieces instead of 12 and reduce baking time to 18–20 minutes. These bite-sized rolls are perfect for parties, brunches, or portion control — same flavor, smaller size, and just as irresistible.
Equipment Recommendations
- Stand mixer with dough hook ; makes kneading effortless and saves your arms. If you don't have one, kneading by hand works fine but takes more effort. A good stand mixer is worth the investment if you bake regularly.
- 9x13 inch baking pan ; the perfect size for 12 rolls with room to expand. Glass or metal both work great. I prefer metal because it conducts heat more evenly.
- Rolling pin ; essential for getting an even rectangle. A wooden rolling pin works best, but a wine bottle works in a pinch if you're just starting out.
- Bench scraper ; helpful for cutting dough and keeping your work surface clean. Not required but makes the process much smoother.
- Pastry brush ; useful for spreading melted butter evenly on the dough before adding the filling. A spoon works too if you don't have one.
- Digital kitchen thermometer ; takes the guesswork out of milk temperature for activating yeast. Costs about $10 and prevents yeast failures.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigerator storage ; keep leftover Coffee Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20 seconds for that fresh-baked warmth.
- Freezing instructions ; wrap cooled rolls individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave from frozen for 45 seconds.
- Freeze unbaked rolls ; prepare rolls through step 2, place in pan, wrap tightly, and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight, let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed. This is my favorite meal prep trick.
- Make the glaze ahead ; whisk the glaze ingredients together and store in the fridge for up to a week. Microwave for 15 seconds before using to make it pourable again.
- Reheat for best texture ; don't eat them cold from the fridge. A quick 15-second microwave burst or 5 minutes in a 300°F oven brings back that fresh texture perfectly.
The Secret to Extra Fluffy Rolls
Here's my insider trick that makes these Coffee Cinnamon Rolls impossibly soft and fluffy. After mixing your dough, add an extra tablespoon of butter during the kneading process. This creates what bakers call an "enriched dough" that stays moist for days. The extra fat coats the flour proteins, preventing them from forming too much gluten, which keeps your rolls tender instead of tough.
Another game-changer is using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for half the flour amount. Bread flour has more protein, which creates better structure and those beautiful pull-apart layers. Your Coffee Cinnamon Rolls will have that professional bakery texture that makes people ask for your secret recipe.
FAQ
What's the difference between a cinnamon roll and a coffee roll?
A cinnamon roll is a sweet roll made with cinnamon-sugar filling, while a coffee roll traditionally refers to any sweet pastry served with coffee. These Coffee Cinnamon Rolls are actually cinnamon rolls enhanced with coffee flavor in the glaze, combining both concepts into one delicious breakfast treat.
Can I add coffee to cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! You can add coffee to Coffee Cinnamon Rolls in several ways. Mix instant coffee powder into the cinnamon filling for subtle flavor, use brewed coffee in the glaze like this recipe does, or add a tablespoon of espresso powder to the dough itself for deeper coffee taste throughout.
Can you mix cinnamon with coffee?
Yes, cinnamon and coffee are a classic pairing that work beautifully together. The warm spice of cinnamon complements coffee's rich, slightly bitter notes perfectly. That's why Coffee Cinnamon Rolls taste so amazing; the flavors enhance each other naturally.
What is a dirty cinnamon roll?
A dirty cinnamon roll typically refers to a cinnamon roll topped with espresso or coffee-flavored icing, similar to how a "dirty chai" adds espresso to chai tea. Some versions also include chocolate or extra coffee in the dough, making them richer and more indulgent than traditional rolls.
Conclusion: Your New Breakfast Favorite
These Coffee Cinnamon Rolls bring together everything you love about a cozy breakfast into one amazing recipe. The soft, fluffy texture combined with sweet cinnamon filling and that signature coffee glaze creates the perfect morning treat that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're making them for a special brunch or just because it's Saturday, these Coffee Cinnamon Rolls never disappoint.
Once you master this recipe, try branching out with my Cream Cheese Danish Rolls Recipe for another sweet breakfast option, or check out the Cinnamon Roll Pancake Recipe if you want cinnamon roll flavor in pancake form. Both recipes give you that same warm, comforting breakfast vibe that makes mornings worth waking up for.
Wake up and smell the cinnamon magic; your kitchen will thank you! ☕ ~ Adams
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Coffee Cinnamon Rolls Recipe:
Fluffy Coffee Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan
- 1 Pastry Brush
- 1 Bench scraper or knife
- 1 Kitchen towel
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- 1 Digital thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour provides structure
- ¼ cup granulated sugar adds light sweetness
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast helps dough rise
- 1 cup warm milk around 110°F
- ⅓ cup melted butter adds richness
- 1 large egg binds dough
- ½ teaspoon salt balances flavors
For the Cinnamon Filling
- ½ cup softened butter spreads easily
- ¾ cup brown sugar caramel sweetness
- 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon warm spice flavor
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder optional, adds coffee depth
For the Coffee Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar smooth sweet coating
- 3 tablespoon brewed coffee rich flavor
- 2 tablespoon melted butter adds shine
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract enhances aroma
Instructions
- Add butter, egg, salt, and flour; knead until smooth
- Mix dough – Add butter, egg, salt, and flour; knead until smooth.
- First rise – Cover dough, let rest 1 hour.
- Prepare filling – Combine butter, sugar, cinnamon, coffee.
- Shape rolls – Roll out dough, spread filling, roll into log, cut pieces.
- Second rise – Cover rolls, rise 30 minutes.
- Bake – 350°F for 25 minutes, golden brown.
- Glaze – Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls.
Leave a Reply