There’s just something magical about a Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe that fills your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas and turns breakfast into a celebration. This pull-apart treat is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious, and trust me, once you’ve made this, it’ll become your go-to cozy morning showstopper.
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Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
I remember the first time I made this Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe for my family — the way it looked so perfectly festive and smelled like cinnamon heaven made everyone’s day instantly better. Plus, it’s really not as tricky as it might seem, and that makes it even sweeter.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: The wreath shape is a beautiful centerpiece that’s perfect for holidays or weekend brunches.
- Deliciously Soft & Buttery: Thanks to the Platinum Yeast and whole milk, each roll is tender and rich.
- Fun Pull-Apart Experience: Everyone can grab a piece without needing to cut, making it shareable and interactive.
- Customizable and Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it the night before or freeze it, so it’s perfect for busy mornings or parties.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe uses ingredients that complement each other beautifully to create that soft dough and decadent filling we all crave. Choosing the right yeast and butter, plus fresh cinnamon, really amps up the flavor and texture.
- Whole Milk: Warmed gently, it feeds the yeast and adds richness, keeping the dough soft and tender.
- Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough and filling just right without overpowering.
- Platinum Yeast from Red Star: This instant yeast is super reliable and gives the dough a great rise and texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides that rich, flaky texture – make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Eggs: Add structure and moisture, helping the dough to be tender yet sturdy enough to roll.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, spooned and leveled for accuracy to avoid a dense texture.
- Cinnamon and Sugar: Classic filling combo that makes every bite warm and flavorful.
- Confectioners’ Sugar, Vanilla Extract, and Milk: Whisked into a smooth, sweet vanilla icing that ties everything together.
Make It Your Way
What I love about this Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe is that it’s super forgiving and totally open to your personal twist. I often swap the cinnamon sugar filling with a combo of brown sugar and pecans for a nutty surprise, and it works like a charm every time.
- Variation: Tried adding a touch of cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mix – it brings a lovely, unexpected warmth that’s pretty addictive.
- Dairy-Free: I’ve experimented with almond milk and vegan butter, just tweak proofing times slightly, and it still comes out fantastic.
- Spiced-Up Filling: Mix in some orange zest or raisins if you want a festive bump in flavor for holiday gatherings.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
Step 1: Warming and Activating the Yeast
First things first: gently warm your milk to about 95°F (35°C). This cozy temp wakes up your Platinum Yeast perfectly without killing it. Pour it into your mixer bowl and whisk in the sugar and yeast. Cover the bowl with a towel and wait for the yeast to get foamy (about 5 to 10 minutes). If it doesn’t foam, don’t hesitate to start over – fresh yeast means better dough.
Step 2: Mixing in Butter, Eggs, and Flour
Next, on low speed, beat in softened butter – don’t worry if it looks a bit lumpy at first. Add eggs one by one, then the salt. Gradually mix in the flour until the dough starts coming together, then crank your mixer to medium-high and let it work its magic for about 6 minutes. No stand mixer? No problem! Knead by hand until the dough feels soft and springy.
Step 3: Kneading to the Perfect Texture
I often keep the dough inside the mixer to knead for an extra 5 minutes, but if you prefer hands-on, sprinkle a bit of flour and knead on a floured surface. You’re aiming for a dough that’s soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. A quick poke should bounce back slowly, and if you can stretch a small piece into a thin windowpane without tearing, you’ve nailed it!
Step 4: First Rise in a Warm Spot
Shape your dough into a smooth ball and transfer it to a lightly greased bowl, covering it loosely. I like to create a little warmth by heating my oven to 200°F (93°C), then turning it off and placing the dough inside – it’s like a cozy spa for the yeast, and it’ll double in size in about 1 to 2 hours.
Step 5: Rolling & Filling the Dough
Once risen, roll the dough onto a lightly floured parchment-lined baking sheet into a 10x20-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter all over, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling evenly. I find using room-temp butter helps it spread smoothly without tearing the dough.
Step 6: Shaping the Wreath
Roll the dough tightly into a 20-inch log and slice it into 20 connected rolls, using kitchen shears for a clean cut but leaving the bottom slightly intact so they hold together. This step is surprisingly fun – the rolls look like little cinnamon pillows! Then arrange each roll by turning alternating ones on their sides and overlapping to form a circle. A ramekin in the center helps keep the shape intact during baking.
Step 7: Final Rise and Baking
Cover your wreath loosely and let it puff up again for 45 minutes to an hour in a warm environment. Then bake at 350°F (177°C) for about 25 minutes until golden brown. The smell at this point? Pure cinnamon roll bliss!
Step 8: Drizzling on the Vanilla Icing
While the wreath cools just a little, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to make the icing. Drizzle it generously over the warm rolls — it melts into the nooks and crannies, creating a sticky, sweet finish that makes this wreath irresistible.
Top Tip
Years of baking this recipe have taught me that a few small details make a big difference in results, so here are my must-know tips for your Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe.
- Perfect Dough Temp: Don’t overheat your milk — keeping it around 95°F prevents killing the yeast and helps it foam nicely for a fluffy dough.
- Butter Softening: Softened butter (not melted) is your friend here — it blends easily without pooling and ensures moist, tender swirls.
- Cutting Technique: Use kitchen shears for even, connected slices that make shaping the wreath much easier.
- Warm Rising Spot: I swear by the turned-off oven trick to rise dough quickly and evenly—this saved my rising battles more times than I can count.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
Garnishes
I often keep it classic with a generous icing drizzle topped by finely chopped toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. For a festive touch, sometimes I add a few fresh cranberries or a sprinkle of edible glitter for holiday brunches.
Side Dishes
This wreath pairs beautifully with a fresh fruit salad or a simple bowl of yogurt to balance the sweetness. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea is my favorite companion to bring everything together on a chilly morning.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve nestled the wreath on a beautiful wooden board with fresh flowers around the edges, or used edible gold leaf on the icing for that extra wow factor. It's perfect for gifting too – wrapped in parchment and tied with twine, it’s a thoughtful homemade delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cinnamon roll wreath slices are best stored covered at room temperature for up to two days. For keeping freshness, I wrap the wreath on the parchment paper and place it in an airtight container — this prevents drying out and keeps rolls soft and tasty.
Freezing
I freeze mine both before and after baking, depending on timing. After shaping but before the second rise, I freeze the whole wreath wrapped tightly, then thaw overnight and let it rise before baking. Alternatively, par-baking for 10 minutes and freezing works great, too. Either way, freezing doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, pop individual slices or the whole wreath in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes just until warm through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful soft, flaky texture—oven heating keeps that freshness alive.
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