Kick off your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with these delightfully soft and sweet cinnamon rolls! The combination of a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and a smooth cream cheese frosting with a festive green twist makes these rolls irresistible. Plus, the addition of Lucky Charms marshmallows adds a fun and whimsical touch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Fluffy Dough: Soft, pillowy, and rises beautifully.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Save time by prepping the rolls the night before.
- Festive & Fun: The green frosting and Lucky Charms marshmallows make it the ultimate St. Paddy’s Day breakfast.
- Kid-Approved: A fun treat that the whole family will love!
Time-Saving Tips
Can I make the cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, add the filling, roll and slice the cinnamon rolls, then place them on a baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, take them out an hour before baking to let them rise. You can also prepare the frosting the night before for an even quicker morning prep.
Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls?
Yes! Follow the same prep steps, then flash freeze the unbaked cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet for about an hour. Transfer to a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! If using instant yeast, you can skip the activation step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
What’s the best way to store leftover cinnamon rolls?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a soft, gooey texture.
Can I make these without green food coloring?
Absolutely! The green frosting is just for fun, but the rolls will be just as delicious with plain cream cheese frosting.
Can I use a different type of milk?
Yes! Whole milk works best for a rich dough, but you can use 2%, almond, or oat milk as substitutes.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives and use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk.
These Luck of the Irish Cinnamon Rolls are a fun and festive way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Whether you make them fresh in the morning or prep them ahead of time, they’re sure to bring smiles all around. Give them a try, and don’t forget to share your results in the comments below!
Watch This Recipe
@megsescapades
Luck of the Irish Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Sweet Dough
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 6 tbsp salted butter softened
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 6 tbsp salted butter softened
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 tbsp salted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp half & half or whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Lucky Charms marshmallows
Method
- Warm milk to 105-110°F, stir in yeast, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and flour; mix well. Add the yeast mixture and knead on medium speed for 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Roll the dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Spread butter over the dough, then evenly sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough from bottom to top. Cut the dough into 12 cinnamon rolls using dental floss or a sharp knife. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and cover with a tea towel. Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and green food coloring. Mix until fluffy.
- Spread frosting on warm rolls and top with Lucky Charms marshmallows. Enjoy!
What did you think?