# The BEST Fluffy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (Easy & Homemade) **Source:** https://healthylivingenthusiast.com/vegan-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/ Is there anything cozier than a fresh batch of warm cinnamon rolls? While picking up a tube of pre-made dough at the grocery store might seem convenient, making homemade vegan cinnamon rolls from scratch is surprisingly easy, and the results are a million times better! This recipe yields incredibly soft, pillowy dough swirled with a rich, buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, all topped generously with a classic vanilla icing. Perfect for holiday mornings, cozy weekends, or any time you are craving a bakery-style treat at home. ⏱️ QUICK ANSWER: What brand cinnamon rolls are vegan? Many people are surprised to learn that some popular canned cinnamon rolls in the US are “accidentally vegan”! For example, Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls and certain varieties of Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls do not contain dairy or eggs. However, while these are great in a pinch, store-bought cans often contain artificial preservatives and lack that true, melt-in-your-mouth bakery texture. Making them from scratch is always the best way to get truly fluffy, chemical-free results! # Why This Recipe Works Perfectly Every Time - Simple Ingredients: No complicated egg replacers! Just basic pantry staples like flour, yeast, plant milk, and vegan butter. - The Ultimate Fluff Factor: The combination of warm plant milk and melted vegan butter creates a soft, enriched dough that bakes up perfectly pillowy. - Overnight Friendly: You can prep these the night before so you only have to bake them in the morning (see instructions below!). # Ingredients You Need IngredientMeasurementNotesAll-Purpose Flour3 ¼ cupsPlus a little extra for dusting your counter.Active Dry Yeast2 ¼ tsp (1 packet)Make sure it is not expired for the best rise!Plant-Based Milk1 cupAlmond, soy, or oat milk work best. It must be warm (about 110°F), not hot!Vegan Butter½ cup total¼ cup melted for the dough, ¼ cup softened for the filling.Sugars¼ cup white, ½ cup brownWhite sugar feeds the yeast; brown sugar creates the gooey filling.Vanilla Extract2 tsp total1 tsp for the dough, 1 tsp for the icing.Ground Cinnamon2 tbspThe star of the show!Salt½ tspBalances the sweetness of the dough.Powdered Sugar1 cupFor the sweet, creamy glaze. # How to Make Fluffy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Activate the Yeast In a small bowl, whisk together the warm plant-based milk (make sure it feels like warm bathwater, not hot!) and the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. Step 2: Form and Knead the Dough In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and vanilla extract. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture and the melted vegan butter. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Step 3: The First Rise Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat the top with oil. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size. Step 4: Roll and Fill Once doubled, punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle (about ¼-inch thick). Spread the softened vegan butter evenly over the surface, leaving a tiny border around the edges. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the butter. Step 5: Shape the Rolls Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough up into a log. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 10-12 even pieces. Step 6: The Second Rise Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with the towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they are puffed up and touching each other. Step 7: Bake and Glaze Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown. While they bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, a splash of plant milk, vanilla, and a tablespoon of melted vegan butter to create the icing. Drizzle the icing generously over the warm rolls and serve! # Overnight Instructions (For Holiday Mornings!) Want to wake up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls without waking up at 5 AM to make dough? Here is how to prep them ahead of time: - Follow the recipe all the way through Step 5 (cutting the rolls and placing them in the baking dish). - Instead of doing the second rise on the counter, tightly cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place it directly into the refrigerator overnight. - The next morning, take the rolls out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 1 to 1.5 hours so they can warm up and finish their second rise. - Bake as directed and enjoy! # Tips and Tricks for the Best Vegan Cinnamon Rolls - Measure Flour Correctly: The biggest mistake in baking yeast dough is using too much flour, which results in dry, heavy rolls. Always use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Never scoop the flour directly from the bag! - The Dental Floss Trick: When it is time to cut your log of dough into individual rolls, a knife can sometimes squish the dough, ruining that beautiful round shape. Instead, slide a piece of unflavored dental floss under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull tight to cleanly slice through the dough! - Use Room Temperature Butter for the Filling: Do not use melted butter for the filling, or it will leak out everywhere when you roll the dough. Make sure your vegan butter is softened to room temperature so it spreads like a thick paste. 💡 VEGAN BAKING PRO TIP: What happens if I skip vanilla extract? If you run out of vanilla extract, do not panic! If you skip it, your dough and icing will still function perfectly, but they might taste slightly “flat” or overly sweet without that warm depth of flavor. What are some vanilla extract replacements? You can easily substitute it with an equal amount of maple syrup, a splash of bourbon, or a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon in the dough. You can also use imitation vanilla extract—since it is made from synthetic compounds (vanillin) rather than vanilla beans, imitation vanilla is 100% vegan! # Variations and Add-Ins Want to take these cinnamon rolls to the next level? Try these delicious upgrades: - Pecan Sticky Buns: Sprinkle ½ cup of chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon-sugar filling before rolling the dough for a classic, nutty crunch. - Orange Spice Rolls: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest to the dough, and substitute the plant milk in the icing with freshly squeezed orange juice for a bright, festive flavor. - Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Finely dice one small Granny Smith apple and scatter the pieces over the filling before rolling. It tastes exactly like a warm apple pie! - Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: If you prefer a tangy frosting instead of a sweet glaze, swap half of the vegan butter in the icing recipe for your favorite store-bought vegan cream cheese. # What to Serve With Vegan Cinnamon Rolls Cinnamon rolls are the ultimate weekend or holiday breakfast. Since they are quite sweet and rich, they pair beautifully with: - A Hot Beverage: A strong cup of black coffee, an oat milk latte, or a steaming mug of Earl Grey tea perfectly balances the sweetness of the icing. - Fresh Fruit: Serve them alongside a bowl of fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) to add a bright, tart contrast. - A Savory Side: If you are hosting a holiday brunch, serve these rolls alongside a savory dish like a tofu scramble or crispy vegan bacon to give your guests the perfect sweet-and-salty meal. # Storage and Reheating - Room Temperature: Store leftover baked rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. - Refrigerator: Keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. - To Reheat: The secret to reviving leftover cinnamon rolls is the microwave! Microwave a single roll for 15-20 seconds. It will become incredibly soft, gooey, and taste like it just came out of the oven! # Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) # Are the Trader Joe’s cinnamon rolls vegan? Yes! Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls in the refrigerated tube are famously “accidentally vegan” because they use oils instead of dairy butter and contain no eggs. They are a great quick option, though making this homemade recipe will give you a much softer, fluffier texture! # Are Annie’s cinnamon rolls vegan? Most of Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls (the ones in the pop-tube) are vegan-friendly, as they do not contain dairy or eggs in their standard recipe. However, ingredients can change, so always double-check the label for any dairy derivatives. # Can I make this gluten-free? Vegan and gluten-free yeast doughs are very tricky because they lack the gluten structure that makes cinnamon rolls fluffy and allows them to roll up without cracking. If you must make them gluten-free, use a premium 1:1 gluten-free baking flour (with xanthan gum) and expect a slightly denser, more biscuit-like texture. # More Cozy Vegan Treats - Vegan Orange Cake - Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free Vegan Banana Bread # Let’s Connect! Did you try these Fluffy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls? Did you make them overnight for a holiday morning? Leave a rating and a comment below to let me know how they turned out! Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram at @healthy.living.enthusiast! 📌 Pin this recipe to your Vegan Baking board on Pinterest so you always have the best weekend breakfast ready to go! HLE # Get This Recipe In Your Inbox We’ll send it right away, plus fresh healthy recipe inspiration every week! GO # The BEST Fluffy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls - 4.90 from 27 votes Skip the store-bought cans! These homemade vegan cinnamon rolls are incredibly soft, fluffy, and topped with a rich dairy-free icing. Perfect for cozy weekend breakfasts! Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 20 minutes minsCook Time 30 minutes minsRising Time 2 hours hrsTotal Time 1 hour hr Servings: 4Course: DessertCuisine: American Ingredients Method Video Notes # Ingredients   Dough: - 3 1/4 cups All-purpose flour plus extra for dusting - 2 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast 1 standard packet - 1 cup Plant-based milk almond, soy, or oat – warmed to 110°F - 1/4 cup Granulated sugar - 1/4 cup Vegan butter Notes: melted - 1 tsp Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp Salt - Filling: - 1/2 cup Brown sugar - 2 tbsp Ground cinnamon - 1/4 cup Vegan butter softened to room temp - Icing: - 1 cup Powdered sugar - 2 tbsp Plant-based milk - 1 tbsp Vegan butter melted - 1 tsp Vanilla extract # Method  - Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the warm plant milk and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. - Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture and the melted vegan butter. Mix until a dough forms. - Step 3: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. - Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. - Step 5: While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. - Step 6: Punch down the doubled dough. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about ¼-inch thick). - Step 7: Spread the softened vegan butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top. - Step 8: Starting from a long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut into 10-12 even slices. - Step 9: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up. (See blog post for overnight fridge instructions). - Step 10: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. - Step 11: Whisk together the powdered sugar, plant milk, melted vegan butter, and vanilla extract to make the icing. - Step 12: Drizzle the icing generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately! # Video # Notes - Check Your Yeast: Ensure your milk is warm (like bathwater), not hot. Hot milk will kill the yeast, and your rolls will not rise! - Roll Tightly: Roll the dough tightly when shaping to keep the rolls from uncoiling during baking. - Reheating: To make leftover rolls taste fresh from the oven, microwave them for 15-20 seconds. --- *(Served via Jarvis AEO Markdown Router for optimal AI ingestion)*