Carolyn'S Best Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls with a hint of yellow cake flavor, topped with sweet icing. Perfect for breakfast or special weekend treats, appealing to all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and let sit for about 3 minutes.
- Add cake mix, 1 cup of flour, eggs, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture.
- Beat with a beater until bubbles appear.
- Slowly add 5 1/4 cups of flour and stir with a spoon to form a soft dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes.
- Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Spread soft margarine over the rolled dough and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll up the dough like a jelly roll and stretch it slightly; then cut into individual rolls.
- Place each cinnamon roll on a greased baking pan.
- Allow the rolls to rise until doubled in size.
- Bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
- While hot, ice the cinnamon rolls with powdered sugar icing.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a touch of vanilla extract or nutmeg to the dough. If you don't have yellow cake mix, a vanilla or butter cake mix works just as well. Make sure your water is lukewarm to help the yeast activate properly, as too hot can kill it. Kneading should be done until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cinnamon rolls warm, drizzled with the powdered sugar icing for a delightful treat. They pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or brunch. For a more festive touch, serve alongside a fruit salad or a side of True Grits to balance the sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, wrap the rolls in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes for best results, ensuring they regain their softness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Carolyn'S Best Cinnamon Rolls contains roughly 616 calories, with 5g protein, 25g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 590mg per serving (26% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option. However, this may slightly change the texture and flavor of the rolls, making them denser. You might need to adjust the liquid to ensure the dough remains soft.
What if I don't have soft margarine?
If you don’t have soft margarine, you can use softened butter as a direct substitute. Alternatively, you can melt the margarine or butter and use it as a spread, but be aware that it may slightly alter the dough's consistency.
Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls before baking?
Absolutely! You can freeze the assembled but unbaked cinnamon rolls. Place them on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and allow them to rise before baking as directed.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).