Mini Cinnamon Roll Cereal from Crescent Dough
Bite-sized cinnamon rolls made from refrigerated crescent dough, rolled thin, sliced into miniature spirals, and baked until golden and crispy. Each tiny roll gets a buttery finish and sweet glaze, creating a playful breakfast treat that mimics cereal but delivers the warm spice and tender texture of traditional cinnamon rolls. Perfect for weekend brunch, kids' parties, or when you want the comfort of cinnamon rolls in a fun, shareable format.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 375°F and line cookie sheet with parchment paper
- 2
Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in small bowl
- 3
Separate crescent dough into four rectangles, pinching seams together
- 4
Brush each rectangle with melted butter on floured surface
- 5
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture to within 1/4-inch of top edge
- 6
Roll tightly from long edge into log, sealing seam and ends
- 7
Refrigerate two logs and work with remaining two
- 8
Cut each log into 20 slices using serrated knife
- 9
Arrange rolls on cookie sheet with space between
- 10
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light golden brown
- 11
Brush with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining granulated sugar
- 12
Continue baking 2 to 4 minutes until golden brown and slightly crisp
- 13
Transfer to cooling rack and repeat with refrigerated logs
- 14
Mix powdered sugar with water until thin enough to drizzle
- 15
Drizzle icing over rolls and let stand 30 minutes until set
Tips
Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to cut clean slices without squashing the delicate dough logs.
Refrigerating half the logs prevents overworking and keeps the dough manageable while you bake in batches.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature up to 2 days
Can make dough logs up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate before slicing
Serve at room temperature as finger food or with milk like cereal
Common Mistakes
Roll logs tightly to avoid loose spirals that fall apart during baking
Don't skip the second butter and sugar application to achieve proper crispness
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze the baked mini cinnamon rolls?
Yes, freeze in airtight container up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.
What if my dough logs are too soft to slice cleanly?
Refrigerate the logs for 15-30 minutes longer to firm up the dough, making cleaner cuts with less tearing.
How long do these mini rolls keep their crispness?
They stay crispy for about 24 hours when stored in airtight container. Refresh briefly in low oven if needed.