Irresistibly Soft & Fluffy Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting
Imagine waking up on a crisp Christmas morning to the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, but without the usual fuss and long proofing times. Our recipe for Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls delivers just that: incredibly soft, unbelievably fluffy, and drenched in melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chips and the most luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s a beautiful breakfast dream come true, and even better? These delightful treats boast half the fat of traditional cinnamon buns, allowing you to indulge without an ounce of guilt!
For months, my dedicated followers on Instagram have been asking – or perhaps, more accurately, *begging* – for a cinnamon roll recipe that doesn’t come with a side of guilt. The kind of recipe you can truly enjoy, savoring every bite, without worrying about the indulgence. What better way to grant this wish than to present this lighter, quicker, and utterly delicious version right before the holiday season? Consider this my festive gift to you.
You’re welcome!
Why Choose Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls? Speed, Simplicity, and Scrumptious Results
Baking with yeast can often feel intimidating. The waiting, the proofing, the worry about whether your dough will rise properly – it’s enough to deter even experienced bakers. That’s precisely why I embarked on a mission to create a truly spectacular cinnamon roll recipe that sidesteps yeast entirely. After countless hours of searching through magazines and cookbooks, I stumbled upon a fantastic base from Cooks Illustrated, and instantly knew I was onto something special. My first attempt was good, but not quite *there*.
However, the second time around, after a few tweaks and adjustments? Oh my goodness, the results were extraordinary! The rolls were so incredibly soft and fluffy, I nearly fainted from sheer delight. And if the empty baking tray in the kitchen sink is any indication, my family’s resounding approval speaks volumes. These rolls are not just delicious; they’re incredibly quick to prepare, making them perfect for those spontaneous cravings or busy holiday mornings when time is precious.
The Secret to Unbelievably Fluffy & Lighter Cinnamon Rolls
While we might be huge fans of Nutella (and trust me, I’ll definitely be trying a Nutella-filled version of these soon!), our love for classic cinnamon knows no bounds. We adore donuts, cinnamon buns, and anything sweet and spiced. But, as mentioned, baking with yeast sometimes gives me a bit of anxiety. The main reason is simply that I don’t bake with it often, and I rarely have the luxury of waiting for dough to rise. I need recipes that are quick, instant, and ready to be devoured yesterday!
This yeast-free cinnamon roll recipe truly hit the mark. The secret to their incredible fluffiness and lighter texture lies in a clever combination of baking powder and baking soda, activated by buttermilk. This dynamic duo creates beautiful pockets of air, giving you that coveted soft and tender crumb without any proofing time. Furthermore, by opting for light butter and low-fat cream cheese in the frosting, we’ve managed to cut down the fat content significantly, making these rolls a more health-conscious indulgence. Lighter on the hips, but still bursting with flavor – what’s not to love? Pass one (or two!) over here, please!
Crafting the Perfect Cinnamon Filling and Dough
The heart of any great cinnamon roll is its filling, and ours is no exception. A rich blend of light brown sugar, a hint of your preferred natural sweetener, plenty of ground cinnamon, a splash of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt creates that irresistible spiced sweetness. Melted butter brings it all together, ensuring the filling is moist and adheres perfectly to the dough. When brushing the dough with additional melted butter before spreading the filling, you create an extra layer of richness that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
For the dough itself, we’re using light spelt flour, which provides a lovely delicate texture, but all-purpose flour works just as well. Combined with sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, these dry ingredients form the foundation. The key liquid ingredient is buttermilk, which reacts with the leavening agents to produce that signature lift. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t fret! It’s incredibly easy to make your own by simply adding white vinegar or lemon juice to skim or low-fat milk and letting it sit for a few minutes. This simple trick ensures your rolls will be perfectly tender and moist.
A Frosting Dream: Cream Cheese & Chocolate Chip Perfection
What’s a cinnamon roll without its glorious frosting? Our cream cheese frosting is the crowning jewel of these yeast-free wonders. It’s a simple yet luxurious blend of softened low-fat cream cheese, vanilla Greek yogurt (or any yogurt you have), powdered sugar (or natural sweetener for a lighter touch), vanilla extract, and a touch of lemon juice. The lemon juice brightens the flavors and cuts through the sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced glaze. Blended until smooth and lump-free, this frosting is utterly divine.
And then, of course, there are the chocolate chips! Sprinkling mini chocolate chips over the warm, freshly baked rolls allows them to melt just slightly, creating pockets of gooey chocolate bliss that perfectly complement the spiced cinnamon and tangy cream cheese. It’s a combination that truly elevates these rolls from great to unforgettable.
Your Go-To Holiday Breakfast Tradition (or Any Morning Treat!)
These yeast-free cinnamon rolls are designed for convenience without sacrificing flavor or texture. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 40 minutes – 20 minutes for prep and 20 minutes for baking. This means you can whip up a batch on a whim, or effortlessly include them in your holiday breakfast spread, leaving you more time to enjoy with loved ones. Imagine the joy of serving warm, homemade cinnamon rolls to your family and friends, knowing they’re a healthier, yet equally indulgent, option.
Whether you’re looking for a special Christmas morning treat, a delightful weekend brunch addition, or simply a quick and easy way to satisfy a sweet craving, these yeast-free chocolate chip cinnamon rolls are an absolute game-changer. Their incredible softness, rich cinnamon flavor, gooey chocolate chips, and heavenly cream cheese frosting make them truly irresistible. Prepare to fall in love with baking all over again!
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No Yeast Choc Chip Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Filling:
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1/3 cup natural sweetener/granulated sugar of choice
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
- (EXTRA) 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing dough
Cinnamon Rolls:
- 2 1/2 cups light spelt flour (or plain/all-purpose flour/s), plus 1/4 cup extra flour for working and dusting
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar/natural sweetener of choice
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tablespoons light butter , melted
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk, it can be easily made with 1 1/4 cups skim/low fat milk and 1 1/4 tablespoon white vinegar/lemon juice; mix through as the very first step and set aside)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz low fat/fat free cream cheese , softened at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons low fat vanilla greek yoghurt (or any yoghurt)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar/natural sweetener
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 220c | 425F. Line 2x ’12 muffin’ muffin trays with liners or baking/parchment paper measured to fit muffin holes, and set aside.
Filling:
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In a medium-sized bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar/sweetener, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Mix well, and add in the 2 tablespoons melted butter. Mix together until well combined, and set aside.
Rolls:
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In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the 2 1/2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt.
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Make a well in the centre, and pour the melted butter and ‘buttermilk’ into the centre, mixing them well before folding in to the rest of the ingredients. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Knead mixture for about 30 seconds until smooth. If the dough is too sticky and wet to work with, add 2 tablespoons flour and knead again. (Add a little extra flour only if needed at this point, but do not go over 1/4 cup extra flour).
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Sprinkle work bench/surface with a little extra flour, coat your hands in a little flour, and shape the dough with your hands into a 13 x 10 inch rectangle. Brush the surface with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, and spread the brown sugar mixture over the top (leaving a 1cm | 1/2-inch gap around the edges). Start rolling the dough from on the long edge until rolled to opposite end. Roll it seam side down and, using a sharp knife, cut dough into 14 equal portions.
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Place rolls into prepared muffin holes. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes until edges are golden brown. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the tops while they’re still warm.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
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Blend together cream cheese, yoghurt, sugar, vanilla and lemon until smooth and free from lumps.
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Warm frosting up in the microwave and pour over cinnamon rolls.
Notes
- Best served warm and fresh out of the oven, or warmed up in the microwave if storing.
- Store in an airtight container for one day, or freeze for two months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips for Cinnamon Roll Success
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Gentle mixing is key to tender rolls. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough rolls.
- Proper Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but manageable. Add flour sparingly if it’s too wet.
- Even Rolling: Try to roll the dough into a uniform rectangle. This ensures consistent thickness and even baking.
- Sharp Knife for Cutting: A sharp knife or even unflavored dental floss can help you get clean cuts without squishing the rolls.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until the edges are golden brown, but the centers still look soft. Overbaking can dry them out.
- Warm Frosting: Warming the frosting slightly in the microwave makes it pourable and creates a beautiful glaze that melts into the warm rolls.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Nutella Swirl: For the Nutella lovers, swap out the chocolate chips and drizzle some Nutella over the cinnamon filling before rolling.
- Pecan or Walnut Rolls: Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor.
- Orange Zest Infusion: Add 1-2 teaspoons of orange zest to both the cinnamon filling and the cream cheese frosting for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Apple Cinnamon: Mix finely diced apples (about 1/2 cup) with a pinch of nutmeg into your cinnamon filling for a classic apple pie flavor.
- Maple Glaze: Replace some of the powdered sugar in the frosting with maple syrup for a rich maple flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
- Yes! You can prepare the rolls up to the point of placing them in the muffin tin. Cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while your oven preheats, then bake as directed. The frosting can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge, then warmed before serving.
- What if I don’t have buttermilk?
- You can easily make a substitute! For 1 1/4 cups of buttermilk, combine 1 1/4 cups of skim/low-fat milk with 1 1/4 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This DIY buttermilk works perfectly in this recipe.
- Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of spelt flour?
- Absolutely! The recipe notes that plain/all-purpose flour works just as well. The light spelt flour provides a slightly nuttier flavor and lighter texture, but you won’t compromise the deliciousness of the rolls by using all-purpose flour.
- How should I store leftover cinnamon rolls?
- Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. For longer storage, freeze them for up to two months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warm and soft.
- Are these cinnamon rolls suitable for freezing?
- Yes, they freeze wonderfully! Once baked and cooled (without frosting, if possible, or with frosting if you plan to reheat with frosting), wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as desired. If freezing with frosting, you might want to add fresh frosting after reheating for the best texture.
We hope you love these irresistibly soft and perfectly spiced yeast-free cinnamon rolls as much as we do. They are truly a game-changer for anyone who loves homemade cinnamon rolls but dreads the lengthy process. Happy baking, and enjoy these guilt-free treats with your loved ones!