Get ready to fall in love with the most irresistible Texas-size cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted! These fluffy, gooey, giant rolls are packed with a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts into every bite. Whether you're making them for a lazy weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch, or just because you deserve something amazing, this recipe is your ticket to cinnamon roll heaven.
First published Septemeber 2, 2014. Last updated December 1, 2024 for new images, readability, and more information.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat giant cinnamon rolls
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose Texas size cinnamon rolls
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Huge homemade cinnamon rolls that are soft and fluffy with a thick layer of icing.
- These make any day perfect but they're our traditional breakfast for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Be sure to read the time saving tip on this page to learn how you can let them rise in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead of time and bake fresh the next day.
Make them at least once - you'll never want any other kind of cinnamon roll again. The dough is rich and just sweet enough, buttery and soft. It's rolled around a thick, spicy filling of cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans.
Once they are baked and have a chance to cool a little you add the creamiest, tangy - sweet, gooey copycat Cinnabon icing you'll ever put in your mouth.
Add it thick. In fact, you might want to double the icing recipe.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Add a cup of chopped walnuts to the filling instead of pecans.
- Sprinkle some chocolate chips over the cinnamon and butter before. you roll up the dough.
- Use white sugar instead of brown sugar in the filling.
- Sprinkle some raisins or dried cranberries over the filling before rolling up the dough.
- Knead 1 cup of raisins into the dough.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
I'd suggest watching the video below to see how to shape the dough.
Mixing
Proof the yeast.
Add flour.
Knead until it becomes a soft dough.
Let rise.
Shaping
Punch down, roll, and add butter and cinnamon sugar.
Sprinkle on pecans.
Roll tightly and cut.
Let rise and bake.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- If using instant yeast, you don't have to let it activate. So, just follow the recipe steps in order at a comfortable pace.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place (like near your warm oven) for the best cinnamon rolls ever! More ideas for letting the dough rise.
- Lukewarm water won't cut it—if you don't have a thermometer to test it, the water should feel comfortable enough to bathe in, but not scalding.
Marye's Tip o the day
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the milk and the water for best results.
🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
This is a different cinnamon roll recipe than the one on this page but the process is very much the same.
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat giant cinnamon rolls
Store leftover cinnamon rolls at room temperature for 2 days. Place the rolls in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers
You can also freeze these Texas-sized cinnamon rolls.
I like to flash-freeze them on a large cookie sheet and then put them an airtight freezer container with parchment paper between the layers.
You could also use quart-sized freezer bags for an easy, single, grab-n-go breakfast.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
During the holiday season I sometimes will roll dried cranberries in with the pecans. They add delicious tangy flavor and color to these already over-the-top rolls!
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
This could happen if your yeast was expired or the liquid you used was too hot, which can kill the yeast. Always check the yeast’s expiration date and use lukewarm (not hot) liquid for activation.
Definitely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand. It may take a little more effort, but the results will still be delicious. Just knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Watch my video on how to knead for visual helps.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
"Make ahead" cinnamon rolls
You can make the cinnamon rolls up to 24 hours before baking them. Follow the instructions as written to roll and cut the cinnamon rolls.
Then, cover the dish or cookie sheet tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate until you're ready to bake as directed.
I love to prep the rolls in the evening so all I have to do the next morning or the next day is preheat the oven and bake!
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose Texas size cinnamon rolls
- Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding 🍞 - Tear up leftover cinnamon rolls and use them as the base for a rich, custardy bread pudding. Just add eggs, cream, and a sprinkle of extra cinnamon before baking for a warm and cozy dessert.
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake 🥞 - Slice cinnamon rolls into chunks, layer them in a casserole dish, and pour a mixture of eggs, milk, and vanilla over the top. Bake until golden for a decadent breakfast or brunch dish.
- Cinnamon Roll Trifle 🍨 -Layer crumbled cinnamon rolls with whipped cream, pudding, or cream cheese frosting in a trifle dish or individual cups. Add caramel drizzle or fresh fruit for a fancy touch.
- Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream Sandwiches 🍦 - Cut baked cinnamon rolls in half, scoop your favorite ice cream onto the bottom half, and top with the other half. Freeze for a fun, handheld treat that’s perfect for dessert!
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
Everything's bigger in Texas, right?
I love most of the traditional foods found in my state but the tendency to make things bigger is what I like most of all.
If the cinnamon rolls have cooled all the way it's best to warm them up for about 15 seconds in the microwave before you serve them. Once everyone has started to eat there will be a hushed, almost holy, silence. This is the moment to ask for anything you want - the dishes done, the house painted...
You might also like these easy cheese danish that are done in 20 minutes.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Texas-Sized Cinnamon Rolls
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
Dough
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm, (110F) water
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed to about 100F
- ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
- ⅓ cup vital wheat gluten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 7 ⅔ cup bread flour, ( you may need a little less or a little more)
Filling
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ¼ cup cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans, finely chopped
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Icing
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces butter
- Juice of ½ a fresh lemon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar, you may need a bit more depending on the consistency you like
Instructions
Dough
- Combine the yeast 1 teaspoon of the sugar and the water in the bowl of a stand mixer or Bosch and set aside for about 5 minutes.
- Combine the sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.
- Beat the eggs and add to the milk mixture.
- Mix the salt and gluten with four cups of the flour.
- Add the milk mixture to the yeast and mix on low for just a few seconds.
- With the paddle attachment in place begin to add the flour and gluten mixture, beating on medium speed.
- Add as much of the remaining flour as you need to make a soft dough.
- Knead for about 7 minutes on medium speed.
- Turn the dough out and knead briefly. It should feel like your earlobe if you pinch it.
- Form the dough into a ball.
- Grease a bowl, add the ball of dough, and grease the top.
- Cover and put in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled (or more) in size.
- Gently deflate dough and roll into a 12-inch by 24-inch rectangle.
Filling
- Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Assembly
- Spread dough with the softened butter
- Sprinkle with a thick layer of cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Add the pecans and gently press them down. Do not mash them into the dough!
- Roll the dough up like a jelly roll.
- Cut into 12 cinnamon rolls.
- Place on 2 well greased or silpat covered baking sheets. (wax paper sticks)
- Let rise for about 40 minutes until doubled in size.
- Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, or until done.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes at least.
How to make cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls
- Add the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice and vanilla to the bowl of your mixer.
- Beat on high until the mixture looks well blended.
- Turn mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until the icing is soft and spreadable.
- Add a thick layer to the cinnamon rolls.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Don't lose this recipe!
Texas Sized Cinnamon Rolls
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Eva says
I would love to try your recipe! When I have made other Cinnamon Roll recipes in the past, the Brown sugar/Cinnamon filling ended up in the bottom of my pan. Can you please give me some advise before I try making your recipe?
Kind regards.
Marye says
You may have been using too much butter or using too thick of a layer in the cinnamon roll.
April says
If you want to freeze them, do you freeze before baking (like, do you freeze the dough?) or do you freeze after baking and then thaw and reheat?
Marye says
I freeze them after baking. You can freeze them before but I feel like they don't rise as well after thawing.
Judy P says
Amazon doesn't have the gluten anymore and doesn't know if they ever will. Is it totally needed?
Marye says
It makes them lighter but you can leave it out and use flour instead. Amazon has tons of gluten flour, though. Just do a search. https://amzn.to/3xtHQxd
Terry says
Hi Marye - hate to bother you on the eve of your trip - lucky you! - but there's NO nutrition/lack of lol info for these rolls.
Would be great if you could add it.
If they're close to 1000kcal/roll I'll just cut 'em in half - & eat the halves 10 minutes or so apart, so I don't look like a total glutton lol
Thanks!
Marye says
Hi Terry - there was a gitch in the card... they are actually a touch over 1k calories but they are salad plate sized - you could actually cut them in fourths.
Ginger says
You mentioned in the Amish bread recipe cinnamon rolls could be made, do you have any recipe or could you tell me what to do, is it the same exact recipe up to first rise, after that what happens. Thank you, the bread was fantastic
Marye says
You'd just make the Amish white bread dough and then follow these instructions for cinnamon rolls.
brenda says
this recipe sounds amazing .
going to make.
can I leave the gluten out without messing up recipe.
TIA
Marye says
As long as you're using regular all-purpose flour you'll be fine. The gluten makes them a little lighter.
Healing Tomato says
For me, Cinnamon rolls always conjure up Saturday morning trips to the mall. They are very special treat for me and your recipe is beyond amazing.
Ali @ Home & Plate says
These are the kinds of cinnamon rolls my father in law just absolutely loved. Could never find them like this. Thanks for this recipe. I know the boys in my house will love these.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Nutritional information and cinnamon rolls just don't go hand in hand...haha. These look amazing and are the perfect holiday treat 🙂
Sherri Jo says
I want these on Christmas morning. The look like the perfect holiday breakfast to me. Yum!
Wendy | Around My Family Table says
Oh my yum!!!!! These are my kind of cinnamon rolls! I don't think they could be more perfect!
Marly says
These cinnamon rolls look crazy good!!
Katrina says
I just recently made some Cinnabon Cloned Cinnamon Rolls, but you've beat me here on size. My kids would love one of their own THIS big. I'll have to try this recipe next time I make some!
patsy says
I'm drooling over these! They look incredible and like a perfect treat after the first few days of school!