Mediterranean Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, lightly sweet rolls filled with cinnamon and brown sugar, finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze. The Mediterranean touch comes from using good olive butter options, warm spices, and a hint of vanilla. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a weekend treat.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: About 2 hours
Ingredients
For the Dough
Flour (all-purpose or bread flour): 3 ½ cups
Yeast (active dry or instant): 2 ¼ tsp
Sugar: ¼ cup
Warm milk: 1 cup
Eggs: 2
Butter (softened): 4 tbsp
Salt: ½ tsp
Vanilla extract (optional): 1 tsp
For the Filling
Brown sugar: 1 cup
Cinnamon: 2 tbsp
Butter (softened): 4 tbsp
For the Glaze/Icing
Confectioners’ sugar: 1 cup
Cream cheese (optional): 2 tbsp, softened
Butter: 1 tbsp
Milk or water: 1–2 tbsp
Vanilla extract: ½ tsp
Instructions
Warm the milk until it’s just lukewarm. Stir in the sugar and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, softened butter, eggs, vanilla, and the yeast mixture.
Mix until the dough comes together, then knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Mix the filling ingredients in a small bowl: brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
Punch down the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle.
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into 12 equal rolls.
Arrange the rolls in a greased baking pan. Cover and let them rise again for 15–20 minutes.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. Let them cool slightly, then drizzle with the glaze.
Tips
Warm milk helps activate the yeast faster.
Use bread flour if you want a chewier texture.
Don’t add hot liquid to the dough or it may kill the yeast.
Keep the dough slightly sticky while kneading; it gives softer rolls.
Roll the dough evenly so the rolls bake at the same rate.
Use soft, not melted butter for the filling to prevent leakage.
Let the rolls touch in the pan so they rise upward, not outward.
For extra softness, brush warm rolls with a little milk after baking.
Add orange zest to the filling for a fresh Mediterranean touch.
If you like extra gooey rolls, pour a little warm cream over the rolls before baking.
Variations
Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls: Add crushed pistachios in the filling.
Date-Filled Rolls: Replace some sugar with date paste.
Olive Oil Dough Rolls: Swap butter for olive oil for a lighter Mediterranean flavor.
Orange Blossom Rolls: Add a splash of orange blossom water to the dough.
Nutty Tahini Rolls: Spread a thin layer of tahini mixed with honey under the cinnamon sugar.
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Mix cocoa powder with the filling.
Baklava-Style Rolls: Add chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls: Mix cardamom with the cinnamon for a warm aromatic twist.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Rolls: Add a spoon of sweetened cream cheese inside each roll.
Maple Glazed Rolls: Replace milk in the glaze with maple syrup.
Q&A
Can I make the dough the night before?
Yes, refrigerate the dough after the first rise and shape it in the morning.
Can I freeze the rolls?
Freeze after shaping. Bake whenever needed.
What if my dough doesn’t rise?
The yeast may be expired or the milk was too hot. Restart with fresh yeast.
Can I replace brown sugar?
Yes, use white sugar with a spoon of molasses if available.
Can I bake them without eggs?
Yes, add a little more milk for moisture.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Use half whole wheat and half all-purpose to keep them soft.
Can I skip the cream cheese in the glaze?
Yes, the glaze will be lighter and sweeter.
How do I keep the rolls soft the next day?
Store in an airtight container and reheat for a few seconds.
Can I make them vegan?
Yes, replace milk, butter, and eggs with plant-based alternatives.
Why did my rolls spread too much?
The dough was too soft or the pan was too large. Use a snug pan.
Nutrition
(per roll, approximate)
Calories: 280–330
Carbs: 42g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 10–12g
Fiber: 1–2g
Sugar: 20g
Conclusion
These cinnamon rolls are soft, warm, and full of flavor. The Mediterranean touches keep them fragrant and slightly richer, while staying simple enough to make at home anytime. They’re great for breakfast or dessert, and you can customize them easily with nuts, citrus, chocolate, or tahini.