How to Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better? 13 Ways

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better
Share on:

Canned cinnamon rolls, such as Pillsbury, can sometimes be your only way to enjoy these sweet baked treats. However, the canned cinnamon rolls do not always taste the same as the original thing. Therefore, you might want to find some ways in which you can improve their taste. So, what can you do to upgrade the taste and quality of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls?

To make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls better, you can top them with sprinkles, pecans, orange zest, or similar stuff. Furthermore, you can fill them with extras inside, such as sausages, or you can get creative and fancy with icing.

If you are crazy about cinnamon rolls, but you cannot really make them from scratch, you should not despair since there is always a way to do something about their taste and look. 

This article will provide you with some amazing methods to make your cinnamon rolls top-notch. You do not need any special ingredients to make this happen – you just need to let yourself be creative and experiment with flavors a little bit.

How to Improve Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls?

There are many ways in which you can upgrade your Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. You will be surprised by the creative ways you can make your baked goods achieve a greater taste. When you buy canned cinnamon rolls, it does not mean that you have to settle with the taste they come with. 

Below, I have included a list of ways and tricks that you can try to make your cinnamon rolls look and taste homemade so no one would be able to tell the difference. 

Add Different Toppings 

If you are looking for the simplest way to make your cinnamon rolls both taste and look better, then the addition of different toppings is your solution. If you decide to go with toppings, then you have many options, and you can just go crazy with them. You can make each cinnamon roll look different and add a real variety to the table. 

Toppings like sprinkles, pecans, or shredded coconut are the most common choices, and they are proven to do miracles to these baked goods. You can also go for some spices if you are up to some unusual tastes. Whatever option you choose, you will not be disappointed by the end result. 

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better

Coat Them With Different Flavors

You will be amazed by the taste of your cinnamon rolls after you add some flavored coatings on top of them. You do not need any special flavors for the coating, but the regular ingredients you probably have at your home right now. You can go for a little bit of orange zest, or a splash of rose water, and you will change the taste of your cinnamon rolls. 

If you want something a little bit fancier, you can dub your rolls with butter, and then you can sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar. Some of the flavors need to be added before baking, but some of them can be added later. You can adjust your improvements according to your taste and needs. 

Add Fresh And Fruity Flavors 

Cinnamon rolls are usually sweet, and people usually opt for them when they crave sweet stuff. However, making them lighter than expected would be a good change for your cinnamon rolls. Adding some fresh fruit to your baked goods might bring a real difference in their taste. 

You can go for chopped pieces of pear, apple, or persimmon, and you will notice the fresh flavor in your cinnamon rolls. If you want to go for even fresher rolls, then you can opt for fresh or defrosted frozen blueberries accompanied by a little bit of brown sugar and cinnamon. Once you bake them, you will be ready to taste the heavenly difference achieved by simple flavors. 

Upgrade Them With Ham and Bechamel Sauce

How about some salty options? If you prefer salty cinnamon rolls, then you should try to improve them with bacon or Thanksgiving ham. People who love meat will definitely agree that this might be the perfect solution for improving the taste of cinnamon rolls.

The mix of sweet and savory in one baked treat gives you the irresistible taste you are craving. You need to simply add a slice of cooked bacon inside your cinnamon roll and then proceed to bake. For the final touch, pour some bechamel sauce on the top. This could be your new favorite breakfast-on-the-go option.

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better

Add Some Almond And Chocolate Flavors 

If you still want to retain the sweet flavors of your cinnamon rolls, you might go for some delicious sweet flavors as an upgrade. One combination of flavors that are known to make your baked treats extremely tasty and sweet is the combo of almond and chocolate. These are the only two flavors you need to make your cinnamon rolls perfectly irresistible, and they are quite simple and reachable. 

You just have to unroll the cinnamon rolls, add some almond extract, and move on to the baking part. Simple as that. 

Opt for a Balance of Sweet and Fresh 

You have probably tried the combination of Nutella and strawberries, so you are likely aware of the deliciousness of these flavors when combined. Imagine these two flavors included in a cinnamon roll, and everything will become clear to you. This is a “must” combination, meaning that now, you cannot just pass through this without at least trying to make it. 

It will only take you a few minutes to make these heavenly treats. You just need to add the strawberries inside the cinnamon rolls and top them with Nutella. Lastly, you bake them and wait to taste the perfection of flavors. 

Add Raisins and Cranberries

You might not be a real fan of pastries accompanied by raisins, but when it comes to raisins included in a cinnamon roll, then you have to make an exception. 

You will need to soak the raisins and cranberries in water, so they become plump and juicy, and later press them on the sides of your cinnamon rolls. Usually, it is recommended that you soak the raisins in water overnight for the best taste. However, a few hours might also do the job well. 

If you want a fancier flavor, you can soak the raisins in rum, so they will get a twist. However, this is not always suitable if you are preparing the cinnamon rolls for people who cannot tolerate strong flavors or for children. 

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better

Experiment with Different Shapes

Who says that cinnamon rolls have to always look like cinnamon rolls? You might use your imagination and creativity and reach for different shapes that will look fun on the plate. For instance, you can shape them in one big bun to become a shareable breakfast. 

Furthermore, you can press them in a waffle iron, so they would gain the waffle shape but still taste like cinnamon rolls. You can also get creative on your own and come with your own shapes. The texture of cinnamon rolls allows you to use your creativity and make them more fun on your plate. 

Experiment with Frosting 

The addition of frosting is the most fun part of improving the taste of cinnamon rolls. This is because cinnamon rolls are pastries that allow you to add different kinds of frosting, i.e. different flavors that will make them more delicious. All types of frosting you add to a cake can also be added to cinnamon rolls. 

Some particular examples are the following: 

  • Maple Buttercream
  • Salted Caramel Frosting 
  • Chocolate Glaze
  • Mocha Buttercream  
  • Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting 

Stuff the Cinnamon Rolls with Cookies

Cookies are some of the most preferred snacks around the world, and adding them to cinnamon rolls would be an amazing change in their taste. 

You probably already know that everything tastes better with chocolate cookies, but now is your chance to combine two of the most delicious treats in one. For example, you can use Oreos for this purpose. You can eat this type of cinnamon rolls either for breakfast or dessert, and you will be amazed by the amazing flavors they give. 

Bake Them in Bundt Pan

Rolling your Pillsbury cinnamon rolls into a monkey bread is another option for upgrading the taste, but it is also a fun breakfast choice. You just have to take all of the cinnamon rolls and combine them in a type of shareable bread. If you do not want to stop there, you can also add a little bit of cream cheese to each cinnamon roll, and get the perfect pastry for breakfast or snack. 

Making the cinnamon rolls this way is actually quite easy and quick. You will just have to flatten down the cinnamon rolls and combine them in the dough. Then you shape your monkey bread, and lastly, you wait for about 40 minutes for your treat to be baked completely. 

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better

Shape Them into Hearts

If you are looking for some fun shapes, you can always try out the shape of a heart. You can add some cherries on top and intensify the flavor. This is an amazing idea for Valentine’s day.

These kinds of cinnamon rolls might be the perfect breakfast or dessert for both children and adults.

How To Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Better

Wrap a Sausage Meat Inside the Cinnamon Roll 

This might seem strange, but you can wrap a tiny sausage in a cinnamon roll and enjoy the sweet and savory flavors of this treat. What is more, you do not need a lot of time to prepare them. In fact, it takes around 10 minutes to prepare these cinnamon rolls completely and take them to the baking phase. 

The combination of sausage meat and cinnamon rolls is unbelievable for some people, so they do not even try to taste it, let alone make it. On the other hand, there are people who like to experiment with flavors, especially when it comes to sweet and savory tastes. Therefore, they would gladly try this unusual mixture of flavors. 

How Long Do Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Take to Bake? 

On average, you should expect your Pillsbury cinnamon rolls to be done in about 13 to 17 minutes. Ensure that you always monitor the whole process to prevent them from burning since ovens have different power abilities. 

How to Store Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls?

Pillsbury cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge, meaning that both environments work well for them. However, a more important thing is that you have to store your cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or plastic wrap to keep them moist and fresh.

Do Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Expire?

Usually, Pillsbury cinnamon rolls kept at room temperature are mostly good for eating for two days. You can also keep them in the freezer for up to 30 days. If unopened, you can eat them even a few months after the expiration date. 

How Many Calories Are in Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls? 

If you are baking them as you buy them, then you should expect around 140 calories. However, if you opt for some additional stuff and flavors, you will need to count the calories another way. 

As you can see, the taste of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls can be improved if you just know how to do that in the right way. You will be surprised how much you can do out of the simplest types of boxed cinnamon rolls.