Candy Cane Swirl Buns

Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Holiday Breakfast Treat

Start your holiday mornings with a burst of festive flavor! These Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic, bringing the joy of the season to your breakfast table. Imagine warm, freshly baked cinnamon rolls, infused with the refreshing taste of peppermint and the rich indulgence of Nutella. This recipe is perfect for Christmas, winter holidays, or any special occasion.

Candy cane cinnamon roll on plate

These rolls are more than just a breakfast; they’re an experience. They’re fun, family-friendly, and guaranteed to impress. From the easy-to-make dough to the delightful chocolate and peppermint filling, every bite is a celebration. Get ready to create a holiday tradition that everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love These Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls

If you’re looking for a special treat to brighten your mornings, this is your recipe! This recipe brings excitement into the kitchen. It’s an obvious mix of flavors that result in a so tasty treat!

Candy cane cinnamon roll with nutella on plate

Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls: Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls:

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • Warm milk: Between 95°F and 100°F is key to activating your yeast properly.
  • Active dry yeast: You’ll need one packet to get your rolls rising beautifully.
  • Butter, egg, granulated sugar, salt, and all-purpose flour: These form the foundation of your delicious dough. Use unsalted butter and unbleached flour for the best results.

For the Filling

  • Unsalted butter: Spread this on your dough before adding the filling.
  • Nutella: This adds a rich, chocolatey base to the filling.
  • Ground cinnamon, crushed candy canes: These transform the rolls into irresistible Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls!

For the Topping (Optional)

  • Powdered sugar: A simple topping if you don’t want a glaze.
  • Milk, crushed candy cane, powdered sugar: Combine these for an easy and delicious glaze to drizzle over your rolls.
looking down onto a candy cane cinnamon roll on a plate

How to Make Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls

Don’t be intimidated! Though this is a from-scratch recipe, it’s easier than it looks.

Step 1: Prep the Yeast

Pour warm milk, sugar, and yeast into the bowl of a stand-up mixer. Wait 4-5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Once the yeast is activated, add butter and egg, and mix for 15 seconds. Then add salt and 1/3 of the flour and mix again. Keep adding flour in 1/3 increments until fully incorporated, and finally mix on medium for 5 minutes. The dough shouldn’t stick to your fingers when gently pressed, and should form a ball in the bowl.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, undisturbed place (like your microwave) for about an hour.

Step 4: Form the Rolls

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 13”x17” rectangle. Butter the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread the Nutella evenly, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes and cinnamon. Roll the dough up tightly into a log, and cut it into 12 pieces.

Step 5: Cook the Rolls

Place the 12 rolls in a 9×13 baking dish, cover with wrap, and let them rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, or drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and crushed candy canes.

closeup of a candy cane cinnamon roll with a bite taken out showing the inside

Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls: FAQs

How many rolls does this recipe make?

This recipe yields 12 delicious rolls, perfect for sharing with family or friends!

How long does it take to make these Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls?

The total time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including rising and baking. However, active prep time is only around 20 minutes!

Why is warm milk important?

Warm milk is crucial for activating the yeast! It speeds up the rising process. Be careful not to use milk that’s too hot, or it will kill the yeast. A temperature between 95°F and 100°F is ideal.

candy cane cinnamon roll on white plate

Other Festive Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Candy Cane Dip
  • Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding
  • White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn
  • Cinnamon Roll Crumb Cake
  • Cinnamon Rolls
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closeup of a candy cane cinnamon roll


★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars (1 vote)
Servings:
12 rolls

Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls

By
Jamie Sherman
These Candy Cane Cinnamon Rolls are an absolutely exceptional holiday breakfast. Take some classic cinnamon rolls and give them a new wintertime twist!
Prep:
20 mins
Cook:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total:
2 hrs 10 mins
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Equipment

  • 9×13-inch cake pan
  • knife
  • parchment paper
  • rolling pin
  • mixing bowl
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • stand mixer

Ingredients

1x 2x 3x

Dough

  • 1 cup warm milk, 95 to 100 degrees F
  • 2 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast, 1 packet
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature, 1/2 stick
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup Nutella
  • ½ cup finely crushed candy cane
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping

  • powdered Sugar

Simple Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 3 teaspoons milk
  • ¼ cup finely crushed candy cane

Instructions

  • In a bowl of a stand-up mixer with a dough hook, pour warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom and foam up. *NOTE* This step is important for many reasons. The warm milk speed up the activation of the yeast. If the milk is too hot, it will “kill” the yeast so that the dough won’t rise. If the milk is too cold, like right out of the fridge, it will delay the activation of the yeast, resulting in a dough that won’t rise. Yeast blooms better in a liquid, in this case, milk, between temperatures of 95 to 100 degrees F.
  • Once the yeast has bloomed, add butter and egg. Mix for 15 seconds.
  • Add salt and 1/3 of the flour.
  • Mix until the flour is almost all incorporated, then add another 1/3, and so on. *NOTE* I do it this way of adding flour increments because if I mix with too much flour, it will spread everywhere, and I won’t have the right amount in the dough
  • Once all the flour has been added and there is no more dry flour, mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. The dough will form a ball and separate from the bowl. When pressing with your finger in the dough, you should not have any dough on your finger. *NOTE* If the dough is very sticky and when pressing with your finger, you get some on it, you may need to mix for 1 to 2 more minutes in the mixer to develop the gluten more or add more flour (1 tablespoon at the time). I bake at sea level, where it is hot and humid; elevation and outside weather may make a difference in the dough.
  • Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place. (I put mine in the microwave). Let the dough rise until it doubles, or about 1 hour.
  • On a clean surface, lightly flour and roll the dough into a 13 x 17 rectangle. For this step, I like using my baking mat, it has a great grip, and I have my measurements already on the mat.
  • Butter dough leaving a 1/2-inch border all around.
  • Spread the Nutella evenly.
  • Sprinkle the crushed peppermint and ground cinnamon over the Nutella.
  • Roll the dough tightly, starting with the long side away from you. If the dough is moving, press the long side closest to you down to hold it in place. You will have a long roll.
  • With a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the roll into 12 equal pieces.
  • Place in a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Cook in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until nice and golden.
  • *OPTIONAL TOPPING* – When your rolls come out, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar. Or make a glaze, mix powdered sugar, milk, and crushed candy cane.
  • Serve and Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can keep the rolls on the counter for 2 to 3 days and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Warming them up in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds so they taste as fresh.
  • You can do the second rise in the fridge overnight. So when you place your rolls in the 9 x 13 bake dish, cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let the rolls come to room temperature while pre-heating the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll
Calories: 300kcal
Carbohydrates: 44g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 33mg
Sodium: 118mg
Potassium: 137mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 15g
Vitamin A: 236IU
Vitamin C: 0.01mg
Calcium: 53mg
Iron: 2mg