Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: 19 Ways to Make a $3 Tube Taste Like a Bakery for the Holidays

Canned cinnamon roll hacks are the easiest way to make a holiday morning feel special without waking up at dawn. One tube from the grocery store, a few pantry staples and a little creativity give you treats that taste homemade. One video of the famous heavy cream trick has been watched more than 7.7 million times, and new versions keep popping up in our feed every week. Below you will find breakfasts, brunch bakes and desserts, from waffles and French toast bake to churro bites and a Christmas tree pull-apart. Every one starts with a tube from the dairy case. Which one will you try first..

The Heavy Cream Trick Everyone Is Talking About

Pour a little heavy cream over the rolls before baking. It is the trick that made a grocery store tube taste homemade for millions of people. The cream soaks into the dough and mixes with butter and brown sugar into a gooey caramel sauce on the bottom of the pan, so the rolls bake up taller, softer and richer. It takes one extra minute. Is this the hack you try first..

You will need: 2 tubes (12.4 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 pan. 2. Place the rolls in the pan with a little space between them. 3. Pour the warm heavy cream over and around the rolls. 4. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and spoon over the tops. 5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden and cooked through. 6. Spread the icing on while warm.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: Dump-and-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cut the rolls into quarters, toss them in a baking dish, pour over a quick cinnamon butter and bake. The pieces puff and melt together into a soft, gooey cake that you scoop with a spoon. It is the easiest of all the canned cinnamon roll hacks, and kids can do most of it. Drizzle the icing on while it is still warm. Breakfast or dessert?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup heavy cream.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8×8 dish. 2. Cut each roll into 4 pieces and add to the dish. 3. Whisk the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cream. 4. Pour over the pieces. 5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden and set. 6. Warm the icing for 10 seconds and drizzle over.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: 3-Minute Waffles

Put one raw cinnamon roll in a hot, greased waffle iron, close the lid and wait about three minutes. That is it. You get a crispy, caramelized waffle with a soft middle, ready for the icing to melt into every square. They are a fun weekend breakfast and a big hit at sleepovers. Would your kids want these every Saturday?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, nonstick spray, fresh berries (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat a waffle iron to medium. 2. Spray it with nonstick spray. 3. Place one roll in the center of each section. 4. Close and cook 2 to 3 minutes until golden. 5. Remove carefully with a fork. 6. Drizzle with the icing and add berries.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake for Christmas Morning

This one is made for a holiday brunch. Chop the rolls, pour over an egg and milk custard with vanilla and cinnamon, and bake until puffed and golden. You can assemble it the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. It tastes like French toast and a cinnamon roll had a baby. Top with berries and the warm icing. Would this be on your Christmas table?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp maple syrup, berries and powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 9×13 dish. 2. Cut the rolls into quarters and spread in the dish. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and syrup and pour over. 4. Cover and chill 30 minutes or overnight. 5. Bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes until set in the center. 6. Drizzle with icing and add berries.

Monkey Bread Bites

Monkey bread usually takes a bundt pan and an hour, but cinnamon roll pieces make it fast. Roll each quarter in cinnamon sugar, pile them into a muffin tin, add a spoonful of brown sugar butter and bake. Of all the canned cinnamon roll hacks, this is the one for sharing. Each cup is a little pull-apart treat that is easy to share at a brunch or a classroom party. Muffin tin or one big pan?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 2 tsp cinnamon, 4 tbsp butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin. 2. Cut each roll into quarters. 3. Roll the pieces in cinnamon sugar. 4. Melt the butter with the brown sugar. 5. Put 5 or 6 pieces in each cup and spoon over the butter. 6. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, cool 5 minutes, then drizzle with icing.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Add a can of apple pie filling and you have a dessert that tastes like fall. Chop the apples a little smaller, spoon them around the rolls in a pan and bake. The juices bubble up into the swirls and turn everything sticky and sweet. A spoonful of vanilla ice cream on a warm one is pure heaven. Are you team apple pie or team pumpkin pie?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling (apples chopped), 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp brown sugar, vanilla ice cream (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8×8 dish. 2. Stir the cinnamon into the pie filling. 3. Spread half the filling in the dish. 4. Add the rolls and spoon the rest of the filling between them. 5. Sprinkle with brown sugar and bake 25 to 28 minutes. 6. Drizzle with icing.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: Sticky Pecan Caramel Buns

Turn the rolls upside down over a layer of butter, brown sugar and pecans, bake, then flip the pan onto a plate. The caramel drips over the tops and the pecans turn toasty. Nobody will guess they started in a tube. Save the icing for another day, because these need nothing extra. Pecans or walnuts?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup or corn syrup, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Melt the butter, brown sugar, syrup and salt and pour into a 9-inch round pan. 3. Scatter the pecans over it. 4. Place the rolls on top. 5. Bake 22 to 25 minutes until golden. 6. Cool 2 minutes, then flip onto a plate and scrape any caramel over.

Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups

Press each roll into a muffin cup to make a little crust, then fill it with a spoonful of pumpkin pie filling. They bake into mini pumpkin pies with a cinnamon swirl crust, perfect for Thanksgiving morning or a dessert tray. A dollop of whipped cream on top finishes them off. Pumpkin cups or classic pumpkin pie?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup evaporated milk, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease 8 muffin cups. 2. Press each roll into a cup, up the sides. 3. Whisk the pumpkin, egg, sugar, milk and spice. 4. Fill each cup with about 2 tbsp. 5. Bake 20 to 22 minutes until the filling is set. 6. Cool and top with whipped cream.

Sausage Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

Sweet and savory together is a brunch favorite. Layer cinnamon roll pieces with crumbled breakfast sausage, pour over a light egg custard and bake. Every bite has a little maple, a little salty sausage and a lot of cinnamon. Assemble it the night before and keep it covered in the fridge, never on the counter, as FoodSafety.gov advises for egg dishes. Do you like sweet and salty together?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/2 lb breakfast sausage (cooked and crumbled), 6 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp maple syrup.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 9×13 dish. 2. Cut the rolls into quarters and spread half in the dish. 3. Add the sausage and the rest of the rolls. 4. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla and syrup and pour over. 5. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes until the center is set (160 F). 6. Drizzle with icing.

Churro Bites

Cut the rolls into strips, bake or air fry them, then toss the warm pieces in melted butter and cinnamon sugar. They taste like churros from a fair, which makes this one of the most fun canned cinnamon roll hacks, and the icing becomes a dipping sauce when you stir in a little milk. Add a cup of hot chocolate and it is a perfect winter treat. Would you dip them in chocolate or icing?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp milk, chocolate sauce for dipping (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Unroll each roll into a strip and cut into 2-inch pieces. 3. Bake on parchment 9 to 11 minutes until golden. 4. Toss the warm pieces in butter. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar. 6. Stir the milk into the icing for a dip and serve with chocolate sauce.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: Crispy Spiral Cookies

Flatten each roll between two pieces of parchment until it is thin, then bake it like a cookie. The swirl spreads into a pretty spiral, the edges get crisp and the center stays soft. A thin coat of icing makes them look like they came from a bakery case. They are fun to pack into cookie tins. Crispy or soft cookies?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 2 tbsp coarse sugar (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Place each roll between two sheets of parchment. 3. Press with a flat pan until 1/4 inch thick. 4. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. 5. Bake on a lined sheet 9 to 11 minutes. 6. Cool and spread with a thin layer of icing.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: Christmas Tree Pull-Apart

Arrange the rolls in a tree shape on a baking sheet, one at the top, then two, then three, with one for the trunk. After baking, tint the icing green and pipe it on like garland, then add sprinkles and a star. It is a showstopper for Christmas morning and takes about 20 minutes. Would your family let you pull it apart?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, green gel food coloring, red and white sprinkles, 1 star-shaped candy or cookie.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a sheet with parchment. 2. Arrange the rolls touching in a tree shape. 3. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden. 4. Tint the icing green. 5. Pipe zigzags over the warm tree. 6. Add sprinkles and the star.

The Cream Cheese Frosting Upgrade

The little icing cup is fine, but homemade cream cheese frosting takes the rolls to bakery level. Beat softened cream cheese with butter, powdered sugar and vanilla, then add the packet icing too so nothing goes to waste. Spread it on while the rolls are still warm so it melts into the swirls. Pair it with any of the canned cinnamon roll hacks here. Thin glaze or thick frosting?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 tbsp butter (softened), 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Bake the rolls as the package directs. 2. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. 3. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and the packet icing. 4. Beat until fluffy. 5. Let the rolls cool 3 minutes. 6. Spread the frosting thickly over the warm rolls.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites

Cut the rolls into quarters, roll them into little balls and air fry them in a single layer. In about six minutes you have golden, bite-size treats that are perfect for snacking. They are great for a small household because you can cook just what you need. Dip them in warm icing. Do you use your air fryer for sweets?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, nonstick spray, 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the air fryer to 330 F. 2. Cut each roll into 4 pieces and roll into balls. 3. Spray the basket. 4. Add the bites in a single layer. 5. Air fry 5 to 7 minutes, shaking once. 6. Toss in cinnamon sugar and serve with the warm icing.

Orange Cranberry Holiday Rolls

A little orange zest and a handful of dried cranberries make the rolls taste like Christmas. Sprinkle the cranberries between the rolls before baking, then stir zest and a splash of orange juice into the icing. The bright citrus cuts the sweetness, a trick that works with most canned cinnamon roll hacks. It is a lovely make-ahead treat for overnight guests. Have you tried orange with cinnamon?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, zest of 1 orange, 1 tbsp orange juice, 2 tbsp powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch round pan. 2. Place the rolls in the pan. 3. Tuck the cranberries between them. 4. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. 5. Stir the zest, juice and powdered sugar into the icing. 6. Drizzle over the warm rolls.

Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Salty bacon and sweet maple belong together, and they are wonderful on a cinnamon roll. Unroll each roll, lay a strip of cooked bacon on the dough, roll it back up and bake. A maple glaze made from the icing and a spoonful of syrup goes on top. It is a brunch dish people talk about. Would you try bacon on a cinnamon roll?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 8 slices bacon (cooked until just crisp), 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Unroll each roll gently. 3. Lay a bacon slice on the dough. 4. Roll back up and place in a greased pan. 5. Bake 20 to 24 minutes. 6. Stir the syrup and powdered sugar into the icing and drizzle over.

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Got leftover or day-old cinnamon rolls? Turn them into bread pudding. Tear them up, soak them in a vanilla custard and bake until puffed with a crisp top. Warm a little caramel or the leftover icing to pour over. It is cozy, cheap and a great way to stop food waste. Have you ever made bread pudding?

You will need: 1 tube baked cinnamon rolls (day-old), 3 eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, caramel sauce or icing.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease an 8×8 dish. 2. Tear the rolls into pieces and add to the dish. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. 4. Pour over and press down. 5. Rest 10 minutes. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until set and serve with caramel.

Eggnog Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

For a festive twist, stir a few spoonfuls of eggnog and a pinch of nutmeg into the icing. It makes a creamy, holiday-spiced glaze that tastes like Christmas morning, and it is one of the simplest canned cinnamon roll hacks we know. Use store-bought eggnog or a non-alcoholic homemade one. Serve them with a mug of coffee or hot cocoa. Do you love eggnog or skip it?

You will need: 1 tube (12.4 oz, 8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 2 to 3 tbsp eggnog, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/8 tsp nutmeg.

How to make it: 1. Bake the rolls as the package directs. 2. Mix the icing with the powdered sugar. 3. Stir in the eggnog a spoonful at a time. 4. Add the nutmeg. 5. Spoon the glaze over the warm rolls. 6. Dust with a little extra nutmeg.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Hacks: The Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Tip

Want warm cinnamon rolls without an early alarm? Arrange the rolls in a greased pan the night before, cover tightly and refrigerate. In the morning, set the pan on the counter while the oven heats, then bake a few minutes longer than usual. Add the heavy cream just before baking. Looking for more easy tube tricks? Try our biscuit dough hacks that turn one cheap tube into breakfast, dinner and dessert. What time does your family open presents?

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp brown sugar, plastic wrap.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 9×13 pan and arrange the rolls the night before. 2. Cover tightly and refrigerate. 3. In the morning, heat the oven to 350 F. 4. Pour the cream over the rolls and sprinkle with brown sugar. 5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden. 6. Spread on the icing.