Cooking has never been my favorite pastime—especially now that my kids are grown and my husband takes over most of the kitchen duties. He’s always been the chef of the family, while I’ve been the one who sets the table and makes sure everyone gets a warm meal. Now, as an empty nester, the thought of spending hours in the kitchen doesn’t exactly spark joy.
But here’s the thing: I absolutely love a good kitchen hack. Give me a shortcut, a trick, or anything that shaves off time without sacrificing flavor, and I’m in. Enter my latest discovery: cinnamon rolls made with store-bought pizza dough. Yes, pizza dough!
Let’s talk about how this simple swap turned my lazy Sunday morning into a cinnamon-scented success story.
Why Pizza Dough Is a Game Changer
If you think about it, pizza dough and cinnamon roll dough aren’t all that different. Both are soft, stretchy, and ready to rise to the occasion (literally). Sure, cinnamon roll dough usually has a little more butter and sugar, but who has time to make that from scratch on a Saturday morning? Pizza dough gets you 90% of the way there, and trust me, with all that buttery cinnamon filling and a sweet glaze on top, no one will know—or care—that you started with the pizza aisle instead of the baking aisle.
The Shortcut That Saves Your Morning
Using pre-made pizza dough is a huge time-saver. Traditional cinnamon rolls are a labor of love, requiring you to mix, knead, proof, and roll the dough. But with pizza dough, all the hard work is already done for you.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Here’s how you can make this hack work for you:
1. Find the Right Dough
You can usually find fresh or refrigerated pizza dough at most grocery stores. My favorite is the kind from Trader Joe’s—affordable, easy to work with, and reliably delicious. Many stores also carry pre-packaged dough in the bakery section, so check there if you don’t see it in the refrigerated aisle.
2. Roll and Fill
Once you’ve got your dough, it’s as simple as rolling it out, slathering it with melted butter, and sprinkling on a cinnamon-sugar mixture (brown sugar is optional, but it adds extra caramel-y goodness). Then, roll it up, slice it into pieces, and pop it in the oven.
3. Bake and Glaze
While they bake, whip up a quick glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla. Drizzle it over the warm rolls, and you’ve got yourself a plate of gooey, sweet perfection.
Quick & Easy Cinnamon Rolls Using Premade Pizza Dough
These quick cinnamon rolls are perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon treat!
Ingredients
- 1 package of store-bought premade pizza dough (about 1 lb)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, for extra richness)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square baking dish or line it with parchment paper. - Prepare the Dough:
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12x9 inches. - Add the Filling:
Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and brown sugar (if using). Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough. - Roll It Up:
Starting from the long side of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. - Cut into Rolls:
Use a sharp knife or dental floss (unflavored) to cut the log into 8–10 equal pieces. Arrange the rolls in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between them to allow for expansion. - Bake:
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. - Make the Glaze:
While the rolls are baking, mix the powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if you want a thinner glaze. - Glaze the Rolls:
Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for about 5 minutes. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls. - Serve & Enjoy:
Serve warm and enjoy the gooey, cinnamon goodness!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 8.6gCarbohydrates: 43.8gSugar: 24.0gProtein: 3.2g
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Why This Hack Is Empty-Nester Approved
Now that it’s just me and my husband, I’m all about simplifying. Life is too short to spend hours making dough from scratch when the store-bought version is just as good. Plus, my husband—who usually has high standards for anything semi-homemade—is fully on board with these pizza dough cinnamon rolls. In fact, he keeps asking when I’m going to make them again.
Another perk? You can easily customize this recipe. Add raisins, chopped nuts, or even a little orange zest to the filling. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, swap the glaze for a cream cheese frosting. The possibilities are endless, and it all starts with that magical shortcut: pizza dough.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Wrapping It Up
I have to admit, I’m thrilled to have found this hack. It’s not just about saving time (though that’s a huge bonus); it’s about enjoying the little things in life, like a warm, homemade treat without the homemade hassle.
If you’ve been hesitant to try shortcuts in the kitchen, let this be your sign to go for it. Not every recipe needs to be a three-hour labor of love to be special. And who knows? This could be the start of a whole new era of semi-homemade masterpieces in my kitchen—and maybe yours, too.
Here’s to more delicious shortcuts and savoring the sweet moments along the way. Cheers!
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