Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Pantry Mix

There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls filling your home on a lazy weekend morning.

But let’s be honest—between measuring ingredients and waiting for dough to rise, traditional cinnamon rolls can take hours to make from start to finish.

That’s why I turned our favorite cinnamon roll recipe into a make-ahead pantry mix!

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Make-Ahead Mix

(Stored in a Mason jar)

• 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder (or powdered milk)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons sugar

Pro tip: I also mix the cinnamon sugar filling (typically 1 cup sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon) and store it in a small baggie inside the same jar. This makes the process even simpler when it’s time to bake!

When You’re Ready to Bake

When cinnamon roll cravings strike, simply add the following wet ingredients to your bread machine:

• ¾ cup water
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons butter

Then pour in your jar of pre-mixed dry ingredients, and select the DOUGH setting on your bread machine.

Once your bread machine has completed the dough cycle, lightly flour a clean counter or large cutting board.

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin to form a rectangle approximately 14×10 inches. Add butter by melting 3-4 tablespoons and brushing it evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving about ½ inch border around the edges.

Next, sprinkle your pre-made cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered surface.

Roll up the dough starting with the long edge closest to you, tightly rolling away from you into a log shape.

Cut into rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, making 7 to 8 equal-sized pieces.

Arrange in a baking pan or cast iron skillet. Let rise by covering with a clean kitchen towel and placing in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until nearly doubled in size.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, and enjoy!

SAKI Bread Maker Machine, 3 LB XL 12-in-1 Programmable, BPA-Free & Nonstick Ceramic Pan, Digital Touch Panel, 3 Loaf Sizes, 3 Crust Colors, Gluten-Free, Dough, Jam, Yogurt, Keep Warm, Recipes

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The next time you’re making cinnamon rolls from scratch, take a few extra minutes to make 3-4 jars of this pantry mix.

Your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying warm, gooey cinnamon rolls with minimal effort (especially if you use a bread machine)!

Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Pantry Mix

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Simplify your weekends with this make-ahead cinnamon roll pantry mix that transforms a lengthy baking process into a quick, hassle-free treat. When the craving for warm, gooey cinnamon rolls strikes, simply add wet ingredients to your bread machine, pour in your pre-mixed dry ingredients, and let the machine do it’s thing!

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 cinnamon rolls 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pantry Mix (For Mason Jar)

• 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder (or powdered milk)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons sugar

Cinnamon Sugar Filling (Store in Baggie Inside Jar)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

Wet Ingredients (When Ready to Bake)

• ¾ cup water
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons butter

Additional Ingredients for Assembly

• 3–4 tablespoons melted butter (for spreading on dough)

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

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Instructions

• Prepare the Mix: Combine all pantry mix ingredients in a Mason jar. Mix cinnamon and brown sugar in a separate baggie and store inside the jar.
• Make the Dough:
  1. Add all wet ingredients to bread machine.
  2. Pour in jar of dry ingredients.
  3. Select DOUGH setting and run the cycle (about 1 hour).
• Assemble Rolls:
  1. Lightly flour a clean counter or cutting board.
  2. Roll dough into a 14×10 inch rectangle.
  3. Brush with melted butter, leaving ½ inch border.
  4. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over butter.
  5. Starting with long edge, roll dough tightly into a log.
  6. Cut log into 12 equal pieces (1-1.5 inches thick).
  7. Place rolls in greased 9×13 baking dish.
  8. Cover with towel and let rise 30-45 minutes until doubled.
  9. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until golden.
• Optional Frosting:
  1. Mix all frosting ingredients until smooth.
  2. Spread over warm (not hot) rolls.

• Author: Jordan Mitchell
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bread Machine Cycle: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes