These are the best vegan cinnamon rolls around. These are soft, fluffy, ooey-gooey, and delicious. The vegan cream cheese frosting has the perfect amount of sweetness. No one will be able to tell that these are vegan. These can be made the day of or prepared and cooked the next morning.
There is something magical about cinnamon rolls. I mean, what's not to love, bread mixed with vegan butter and cinnamon sugar? It seems complicated to mess up that flavor combination. These vegan easy cinnamon rolls are so good!
I know that sometimes homemade cinnamon rolls get put in a no-make zone because the dough is often yeast dough. This recipe is SO easy; I know you can do it! Although, in our family, we always have Vegan Monkey Bread for Christmas morning. It's actually easier than cinnamon rolls but not fully homemade like these. If you want some other cinnamon baked goods, check out this Vegan Coffee Cake or Vegan Cinnamon Biscuits.
Why you'll love this recipe
- These are a perfect treat on Christmas morning, and the whole family, vegan or not, will love them.
- They've been quoted as "They taste like Cinnabon smells" since my kids have never had a real Cinnabon.
- My husband took a batch of these to work for his non-vegan coworkers, and multiple people commented that they are the best cinnamon rolls they've ever had.
- The recipe has simple ingredients.
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Plant milk- almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, whichever you like.
- Instant or regular yeast- I prefer using regular yeast because that's what I always have on hand.
- Sugar white sugar for the dough works best so it doesn't turn the dough a weird color.
- Vegan butter softened- our favorite is the Vegan Country Crock butter, but use whichever you prefer.
- All-purpose flour- these taste best with regular flour; however, if you need these to be gluten-free, you use all-purpose gluten-free flour. I think it would work great.
- Brown sugar- these work great with all brown sugar in the middle. You could do half white sugar and half brown sugar if you want. But it will change the flavor some.
- Cinnamon, ground- this is necessary for the cinnamon roll to be a cinnamon roll.
- Vegan cream cheese- my hands down favorite vegan cream cheese is Trader Joes. You can use whichever you prefer.
- Vanilla extract- this helps give it a tasty flavor.
- Powdered sugar- is a must for the frosting.
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient and quantity information.
How to make these easy vegan cinnamon rolls
Step 1- Let's make this vegan cinnamon roll dough. With your stand mixer, fitted with the dough attachment and a large mixing bowl, add your non-dairy warm milk, 2TB sugar, and sprinkle yeast over the vegan milk mixture; let activate for 5-10 minutes. If you're using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing.
Step 2- Once your yeast mixture is activated, add your salt, softened vegan butter, and your 3 cups of flour. Use a dough hook and knead for 3 minutes while your dough forms. Your dough should not be sticky; if it is- add 1 TB of flour until it's not. Be careful not to over-flour the dough.
Step 3- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and put your dough ball in it; place a clean towel over the top or cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm place to rise for about 60 minutes until doubled in size.
Step 4- Once it's doubled in size, make your filling. Melt your vegan butter in a small bowl and set it aside. Then mix your brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 5- Get a 9X13 glass pan or baking dish and, spray with cooking spray, set aside.
Step 6- Take a Silpat or a large piece of parchment paper, and if needed, make a lightly floured surface *my dough doesn't typically need the floured service) and take your rolling pin and roll out your dough into a large rectangle. I pretty much cover the whole Silpat.
Step 7- Then, take your melted butter and pastry brush and brush the butter onto the rolled-out dough.
Step 8- Spread your brown sugar mixture evenly over the rectangle.
Step 9- Next, you'll roll hot dog way into a tight log, pinching the seams when you're done rolling.
Step 10- Place seam side down, use a sharp knife, and cut out 12 even pieces. Or however many pieces you want to get out of the recipe.
Step 11- Take your 12 even pieces and place them in 4 rows of 3 in your prepared 9X13 pan. Take your clean cloth and lay it over the rolls, and do a quick second rise for another 15-30 minutes.
Step 12- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f. Once risen, cook them in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. You don't want to overcook these. They should be lightly golden brown. Once done, place the pan on a cooling rack.
Step 13- While they are cooking, make your frosting by using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Cream the vegan butter and vegan cream cheese, add your vanilla and powdered sugar, mix slowly (so you don't have a powdered sugar mess), then add the 1 TB plant milk if needed. Mix until smooth.
Step 14- Once they have cooled for about 5 minutes but are still warm cinnamon rolls, frost the top of the rolls with a pastry brush. And enjoy these delicious vegan cinnamon rolls!
Expert Recipe Tips and Tricks
- I often preheat the oven for just a few minutes, then shut off the oven so it's not super hot. Just warm it and place the dough rise.
- Do not overbake these. If you're making smaller ones, check the time sooner.
Recipe FAQS
These are best eaten the same day they are made flavor-wise. However, if you have some leftovers, you can put them in an airtight container and leave them on the counter for a day or two.
Yes, if you want to prep them the day before, then make them towards the evening of the night before, and instead of doing the second rise, cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge until the morning.
Let them come to room temperature as the oven preheats, and proceed with the recipe. You may need a couple more minutes for the bake time.
Here are some other delicious vegan sweet breakfast recipes...
If you loved this recipe, then give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment! I love to chat with you all. Please feel free to share on social media and tag #courtneyshomestead. I would love to see you over on Instagram or Facebook.
Amazing Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup + 2 TB plant milk
- 1 TB instant or regular yeast
- 2 TB sugar white
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 TB Earth Balance vegan butter softend
- 3 cups all purpose flour
Filling
- ¼ cup Earth Balance vegan butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1.5 TB cinnamon ground
Frosting
- 4 oz vegan cream cheese
- ¼ cup vegan butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 TB plant milk
Instructions
- With your stand mixer bowl add your warm plant milk, 2TB sugar, and 1 TB yeast, let activate for 5-10 minutes. Once activated add your salt, softened vegan butter, and flour. Use a dough hook and knead for 3 minutes. Your dough should not be sticky, if it is- add 1 TB of flour until it's not. Be careful not to over flour the dough.
- Spray a bowl with cooking spray and put your dough ball in it, place a clean towel over the top, and place in a warm place to rise for about 60 minutes, until doubled in size.
- Once it's doubled in size, make your filling. Melt your butter in a bowl, set it aside. Mix your brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, set aside. Get a 9X13 glass pan and spray with cooking spray, set aside. Lots of setting asides =)
- Take a Silpat and roll out your dough into a large rectangle. I pretty much cover the whole Silpat. Then take your melted butter and pastry brush and brush the butter onto the rolled-out dough. Then spread your brown sugar mix evenly over the rectangle. Next, you'll roll hot dog way, into a tight log, pinching the seams when you're done rolling. Place seam side down, use a sharp knife, and cut out 12 even pieces.
- Take your 12 even pieces and place them in 4 rows of 3 in your prepared 9X13 pan. Take your clean cloth and lay it over the rolls and let rise another 15-30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Once risen, cook them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. You don't want to overcook these. They should be lightly golden brown. Once done place the pan on a cooling rack.
- While they are cooking make your frosting by using a hand or stand mixer. Cream the vegan butter and vegan cream cheese, add your vanilla and powdered sugar, mix slowly (so you don't have a powder sugar mess), then add the 1 TB plant milk if needed. Mix until smooth. Once they have cooled for about 5 minutes, frost the top of the rolls with a pastry brush. And enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I often preheat the oven for just a few minutes, then shut off the oven so it's not super hot. Just warm it and place the dough rise.
- Do not overbake these. If you're making smaller ones, check the time sooner.
Aimee says
It’s like you knew I needed a vegan cinnamon roll recipe!!!!! Can’t wait to try it!
Courtneys Homestead says
Yay! I am so glad I read your mind! 😂 I hope you guys enjoy them! ❤