Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls
You won’t find cinnamon rolls with a more perfect combination of ease and homemade goodness than these right here! They are so delicious that no one will ever know how quickly you put them together!
Easy Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls: The Sweetest Shortcut
If you’ve ever craved the smell and taste of homemade cinnamon rolls—but your schedule (or your energy!) just doesn’t allow for all that dough making, kneading, and waiting—this recipe is for you. Here at Mary Katherine’s Table, I know what it’s like to need a little shortcut in the kitchen without sacrificing comfort or flavor. And today, that shortcut is frozen dinner rolls!
The Secret to Everyday Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe takes the humble frozen dinner roll and turns it into a showstopping pull-apart cinnamon roll cake that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or bringing a little sweetness to any table. Prep is a breeze: quick mixing, easy layering, and the magic happens overnight—no early-morning fuss! By sunrise, you’ll have a pan full of golden, gooey, cinnamon-scented goodness waiting for you.
Can I use instant pudding instead of cook & serve vanilla pudding?
No—instant pudding will not work for this recipe. The cook & serve variety gives the best texture and helps the topping set up perfectly during baking.
Should I let the frozen rolls thaw before assembling?
No need! Arrange them in the pan straight from the freezer. They’ll thaw and rise while resting overnight.
How long can I leave the assembled cake to rise?
Let it rest overnight (8–10 hours) at room temperature in a turned-off oven. Any longer and the dough may over-rise.
Can I make these nut-free?
Absolutely—simply omit the chopped pecans for a delicious, nut-free version.
Does this recipe work with other frozen roll brands?
Yes! Mary Katherine uses Rhodes, but any brand of small frozen dinner rolls should work.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Cover the cake tightly once cooled. It keeps well for 1–2 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for longer freshness. Warm gently in the microwave to serve.
Can I bake in something besides a bundt pan?
Yes, you can use a round or loaf pan—adjust roll amounts and monitor baking time as needed.
There you have it—a simple, crowd-pleasing cinnamon roll treat that tastes homemade, with all the sweetness and comfort of Mary Katherine’s Table. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to share your creation and sprinkle a little kindness everywhere you go.
Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 15 frozen dinner rolls such as Rhodes, or any brand
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 small box vanilla cook & serve pudding not instant
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, melted
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- Splash of vanilla extract
Instructions
Directions
Prep the Pan & Dough
- Lightly grease a bundt pan. Arrange about 15 frozen dinner roll dough balls evenly in the pan; they should cover the bottom in a single layer (they’ll rise overnight).
Mix Topping
- Roughly chop the pecans. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, vanilla pudding mix (cook & serve only), cinnamon, and chopped pecans, mixing them together until well distributed.
Add Toppings to Dough
- Sprinkle all the sugar-nut mixture evenly over the frozen rolls in the pan. Pour the melted butter slowly across the top (no stirring needed), letting it soak into the mixture.
Overnight Rise
- Place the pan in a cold oven or on the counter overnight, letting the rolls rise at room temperature (do not turn the oven on for this step). By morning, the rolls will have doubled in size and filled the pan.
Bake
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes, covering with foil the last 5 minutes if the rolls are browning quickly. They should be golden on top but not overbaked.
Prepare Glaze
- While the rolls bake, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. The glaze should be pourable and glossy.
Finish
- Once rolls are done, remove from the oven. Pour half the glaze evenly over the hot rolls while still in the pan, allowing it to seep in. Let sit for 5 minutes, then invert the cake onto a serving plate. Pour the remaining glaze over the top for a beautiful finish.
Serve
- Let guests pull apart pieces or cut and serve warm for breakfast joy. Each piece will be filled with pecans, cinnamon, sweet glaze, and that irresistible buttery dough.
Video
Notes
• Use cook & serve vanilla pudding for optimal texture—instant won’t work for this recipe.
• Prep everything the night before to enjoy warm, fresh cinnamon rolls in the morning without extra fuss.
• Cover with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if your oven runs hot to prevent over-browning.
• For easy glaze distribution, Mary Katherine suggests pouring it into a plastic bag, snipping the corner, and drizzling it evenly over the rolls—no sticky mess, no fuss.
This recipe is so easy, nobody will suspect you used frozen dough, and each bite is guaranteed to taste homemade and full of love, just the way Mary Katherine would share it at her table.
These cinnamon rolls are so delicious! And how easy they are to make! I had the fun of making them with my four-year old granddaughter. (Part of the fun was waking up in the morning and seeing how much the rolls had risen in the cold oven overnight.) We got to eat them for breakfast this morning. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’ve always wanted to make cinnamon rolls. Now I can say that I have!
Oh, what a nice memory for you both! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
My family LOVED this recipe! Now, making it again for our Christmas Eve family chili and gift giving event.
Wonderful! Sounds like a lovely evening!
This is the best way to make cinnamon bread! I did use instant vanilla pudding mix because I failed to buy the cook & serve. AND, it worked great. I’ll try it with the cook & serve next time. I didn’t make as much glaze, as it’s sweet enough with pudding mix & brown sugar. But I did make @ 1/2 cup & drizzle it on the bottom & top. Thank you for this easy, delicious recipe 😇
Yes, it’s so good! Glad to hear it worked with the instant pudding too!
Mary Katherine I am new to your channel and just made the Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls for New Yrs Eve morning…amazing! Your instructions and video were so easy to follow and I am watching my people surround the cake plate and the rolls are disappearing while I am typing this comment to you! Thank you so much for posting the wonderful recipe…it’s a keeper❣️
Happy New Year!
I’m so glad you’re all enjoying them! 🙂
I made this for our family Christmas brunch. It was a huge hit and very delicious! It didn’t last very long because everyone loved it!
Oh wonderful! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. 🙂