Name: Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (240ml) whole milk; 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar; 1 and 1/2 tablespoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (2 standard size packets); 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into 4 pieces; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 and 1/2 cups (563g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for hands/work surface; 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk

There’s something irresistibly charming about a Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe that turns an ordinary breakfast into a festive celebration. The sweet aroma fills your kitchen, and the soft, buttery swirls offer a comforting bite that everyone will want to dive into — trust me, this recipe is a real crowd-pleaser.

A round ring of cinnamon rolls is displayed on crinkled white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The ring is made of multiple layered rolls with golden brown dough and dark cinnamon swirls inside, all arranged closely to form a wreath shape with an empty center. White icing is drizzled unevenly across the top of the rolls, adding a shiny texture, and small round red cranberries are scattered evenly over the whole wreath for a pop of color. The overall look is warm and festive, with the rolls slightly puffed and textured from baking, and the white marbled background adding a clean contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite baking projects because it looks stunning but is surprisingly straightforward to make. Plus, it's a perfect centerpiece for holidays or weekend brunches alike.

Show-stopping presentation: The wreath shape is festive and inviting, making it a delightful way to impress guests without extra fuss.
Soft, pillowy texture: Thanks to the enriched dough and the slow rise, you get that melt-in-your-mouth softness with every bite.
Customizable filling: You can swap or add nuts, fruits, or extra spices to make it uniquely yours.
Perfect for sharing: The pull-apart rolls in a circular wreath shape naturally encourage gathering and sharing around the table.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe plays a role in creating that tender crumb and sweet, fragrant filling. Starting with whole milk and quality yeast ensures a soft and airy dough. The butter and eggs enrich it beautifully, while the cinnamon sugar filling adds that classic warm flavor we all adore.

Flat lay of one small bowl of whole milk, one small bowl of granulated sugar, one small bowl of ground cinnamon, four pieces of softened unsalted butter, two large whole brown eggs, one small bowl of confectioners’ sugar, one small bowl of milk, one small bowl of pure vanilla extract, a mound of all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt, all arranged symmetrically in simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Whole milk: The fat content helps create a rich, tender dough that’s soft but not dense.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness for both the dough and the filling, balancing flavor nicely.
Platinum Yeast from Red Star: This instant yeast gives reliable rise and airy texture without fuss.
Unsalted butter: Using softened butter in the dough and filling builds that signature tender crumb and gooey filling.
Large eggs: They add structure and moisture, helping the dough rise and stay soft.
Salt: Essential to balance the sweetness and enhance overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: The foundation for the dough, providing the right gluten structure without making the rolls tough.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice in the filling for that instantly recognizable flavor.
Confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract: These create a sweet, smooth icing that perfectly crowns the wreath.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making the Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe just as is, but I've also had so much fun experimenting with different fillings, like adding chopped pecans or swapping half the cinnamon sugar for pumpkin spice in the fall. You can absolutely tailor this to match your mood or season!

Variation: One time, I tossed in some finely chopped apples with the cinnamon sugar filling – it brought a fresh tartness that paired perfectly with the sweet rolls.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe

A close-up view of three cinnamon rolls on a white, lacy-edged plate set on a beige cloth over a dark surface. The cinnamon rolls have a golden brown color with swirls, topped with white icing drizzled unevenly over the rolls. Bright red raspberries are scattered on the plate and around it, adding a pop of color. A woman's hand is holding a fork with a white handle on the left side, and a mug with a reddish base and white upper part with black text is in the background. The background is softly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Build the Dough

Start by warming your milk to about 95°F – just warm to the touch, not hot, or it might kill the yeast. Whisk in the sugar and the Red Star Platinum Yeast, then cover and wait for the yeast to bloom and get nice and foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes. I’ve found that this step really sets the tone for how well your dough will rise, so don’t rush it. Then, using a stand mixer with a dough hook (or by hand if that’s what you have), beat in the softened butter until it looks slightly broken up but not fully melted. Next, add in the eggs one at a time, then the salt, and slowly incorporate the flour until the dough comes together.

Step 2: Knead Until Soft and Supple

Kneading is where the magic happens — it develops the gluten, giving you that stretch and chewiness you want. I usually keep the dough in the mixer and let it knead for about 5 more minutes on medium-high speed, but if you’re kneading by hand, make sure to do it on a lightly floured surface. The key is to keep the dough tacky but not sticky. If it feels a little too wet, sprinkle a tiny bit more flour, but resist overdoing it! You’ll know you’ve kneaded enough when it passes the “windowpane test” — gently stretch a small piece of dough until it’s thin and translucent without tearing.

Step 3: Let It Rise in a Warm Spot

Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a towel, then find a warm place for it to rise until it has doubled in size — about 1 to 2 hours. I often turn my oven to 200°F, then switch it off before placing the dough inside to give it the perfect cozy environment.

Step 4: Shape the Dough and Add the Filling

Once risen, punch down the dough gently and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a 10x20-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the surface evenly, then sprinkle a mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon on top. Roll it tight into a 20-inch long log, and slice it into 20 rolls, cutting about ¾ through so they remain connected on the bottom. Using kitchen shears here can help you get clean cuts without squashing the dough.

Step 5: Form the Wreath and Second Rise

Now for the fun part — shaping the wreath! Place one end roll on its side, then slightly overlap the next roll over it, continuing all the way around to form a circle. Pop a ramekin or small bowl in the center to hold its shape. Cover loosely again and let the wreath rise for about 45 minutes to an hour until puffy and almost doubled.

Step 6: Bake and Add the Icing

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake for around 25 minutes, until the rolls are perfectly golden brown. Let it cool about 10 minutes before drizzling with a simple vanilla icing made by whisking confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk together. This glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness and looks gorgeous cascading over the swirls.

Top Tip

From baking this wreath several times, I’ve learned a few tricks you’ll find invaluable. These really helped me get every batch just right—soft, fluffy, and delicious.

Warm Milk, Happy Yeast: Always check your milk temperature closely before mixing with yeast; warmth wakes yeast up without killing it.
Don’t Skip the Windowpane Test: It’s the best way to know if your dough has enough gluten development for soft texture and perfect rise.
Let it Rise Twice: That second rise once shaped is key to fluffy rolls that pull apart easily and bake evenly.
Cool Before Icing: Drizzling icing while warm can cause it to melt and disappear; let your wreath cool just enough so the glaze sets beautifully.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe

cinnamon roll wreath - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just the vanilla icing, but for a little extra flair, a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top gives a lovely crunch and aroma that complements the sweetness.

Side Dishes

This wreath pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit like berries or orange slices, and a cup of strong coffee or chai tea to balance the sweetness. I also enjoy serving it with scrambled eggs for a cozy brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings, I’ve used a festive platter and scattered some fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries around the wreath, giving it a charming, wintry vibe. Sometimes, I even place small fairy lights woven around the edges (off while eating, of course) — it’s a real showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftover cinnamon roll wreaths wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container. Leftovers are best eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness, but they do stay soft thanks to the butter-rich dough.

Freezing

When I freeze this wreath, I usually do it after shaping and cutting but before the second rise. That way, you can thaw it overnight in the fridge, then allow it a nice second rise before baking fresh rolls any time. This method saves me so much time on busy mornings!

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I gently reheat individual pieces in the microwave for about 15 seconds or place the whole wreath in a 300°F oven wrapped loosely with foil for 10–15 minutes. That brings back the softness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cinnamon roll wreath dough by hand without a mixer?

Absolutely! While a stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading easier, you can certainly make this dough by hand. Just make sure to knead the dough for about 10–12 minutes until it’s soft and elastic, passing the windowpane test.

What can I substitute for the Platinum Yeast from Red Star?

You can substitute instant yeast from other reliable brands in the same quantity. Just make sure it’s fresh and active. If you use active dry yeast instead, dissolve it in warm water first and adjust rising times accordingly.

Can I prepare the Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe overnight?

Yes! The recipe includes an overnight method where you shape the wreath and then refrigerate it up to 14 hours before baking. This makes for an easy morning bake and fresh, warm rolls ready to enjoy.

How do I avoid the cinnamon rolls being dry?

The key is not to add too much flour during kneading and to ensure the dough rises well twice. Also, baking just until golden and cooling before icing helps retain moisture. Using softened butter in the filling adds richness that keeps the rolls tender.

Final Thoughts

Making this Cinnamon Roll Wreath Recipe has genuinely brightened many of my mornings — there’s a magic to pulling apart those soft, cinnamon-scented rolls surrounded in a beautiful circle. Whether it’s a weekend breakfast or a special holiday treat, I promise you’ll feel proud serving up such a stunning and delicious pastry. So grab your ingredients, warm that milk, and enjoy the cozy baking experience — your kitchen will thank you.