When it comes to dessert, there is nothing more decadent nor nostalgic than a cinnamon roll. After all, who doesn’t love a fluffy, yeasty bun rolled with cinnamon and butter and dusted with icing? But, cinnamon rolls can also be a labor of love, and when you just want *one*, sometime’s it’s not worth making a whole bunch of them. Which is why I’m so excited to share my Single Serving Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll – my take on the delicious, nostalgic Cinnabon cinnamon roll, but made for one, so you can enjoy it in a pinch! Oh, and my recipe also happens to be both vegan-friendly and gluten-free optional. It truly doesn’t get any better than that!
Friends, how many of you remember going to Cinnabon as a kid? I definitely do. Growing up in Los Angeles, I remember the days of getting a delicious Cinnabon cinnamon roll when I’d go to the mall with my friends. It was a treat that I always looked forward to. After all, who doesn’t love a cinnamon roll?!
But while Cinnabon is good in moderation, it’s not exactly what you’d refer to as… healthy. In fact, one cinnamon roll can pack about 1,200 calories, and won’t leave you feeling full nor satisfied.
Which is why I’ve created healthier cinnamon roll recipes that give you the same taste and feel, but in a lightened-up way. From my Best Ever Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls to my Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, I love showing that you can still enjoy all of the recipes that you love, but in a healthy and delicious way!
But what happens when you only want ONE cinnamon roll? Making a whole batch of 12 is a labor of love, and takes a lot of time and energy to make. From making the dough, to letting it proof overnight, to delicately assembling each roll by hand, cinnamon rolls take time, effort, and energy to make. Which is why when you only want ONE… making a whole batch isn’t always worth it. In comes my Single Serving Cinnamon Rolls.
Whether you make them plain or make my festive strawberry version for Valentine’s Day, this cinnamon roll is simple and easy to prep on a moment’s notice, making it perfect for those days where you just want a single delicious treat. Yum! 🙂
What You Need to Make This Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll
- Banana: Instead of using an egg in this cinnamon roll (because let’s be honest: eggs are expensive these days), we’ll be mashed banana. I recommend using a ripe banana, so that is mashes well!
- Yogurt: Any yogurt works well for this recipe, be it dairy or non-dairy. I just recommend using a yogurt that is plain or neutral in flavor, to ensure that your cinnamon rolls don’t take on a funky flavor!
- Self-Rising Flour: Self-rising flour is KEY to making sure that your cinnamon roll rises properly! Traditional cinnamon rolls require yeast in order to achieve their light and fluffy texture. But with self-rising flour, there’s no additional yeast needed!
- Butter or Vegan Butter: Either butter or vegan butter is necessary to make this cinnamon roll light and fluffy. Both work equally as well!
- Cinnamon: Of course, you can’t make cinnamon rolls without the cinnamon!
- Powdered Sugar: This icing comes together with two simple ingredients: powdered sugar and water! You will need powdered sugar in order to ensure that the icing forms properly.
- Water: A little water helps to “thin” out the icing, ensuring that it reaches the perfect consistency!
How to Make This 30 Minute Cinnamon Roll Recipe
To make this cinnamon roll, start by peeling and mashing your banana in a bowl, with a fork, until it is almost pureed. Then, add your yogurt and self-rising flour to the bowl with the banana.
Next, preheat your oven to 350 F while you prepare the rest of the dough.
Mix until fully combined and the dough is sticky. Keep adding in more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball, then transfer the ball to a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, but be careful that it doesn’t break!
Next, cut your dough into two strips, then roll each strip together. Look at the video for exact instructions on how to do this!
Finally, transfer your cinnamon roll to a greased ramekin or mug and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes. While the cinnamon roll is baking, prepare your icing by mixing the icing ingredients together, in a bowl, until there are no clumps.
Once your cinnamon roll is done, remove it from the oven and let cool completely before adding in the icing. Then, add the icing, serve immediately, and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Roll:
- ½ Banana, mashed until it forms a puree
- 2 Tablespoons Yogurt of Choice, use dairy-free yogurt to make this recipe vegan-friendly!
- ½ Cup Self-Rising Flour
For the Filling:
- 1 Tablespoon Butter or Vegan Butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar, or substitute coconut sugar
- ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
For the Icing:
- ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Water
Instructions
- Start by peeling and mashing your banana in a bowl, with a fork, until it is almost pureed.
- Then, add the yogurt and self-rising flour to the bowl with the banana and mix to combine.
- Next, preheat your oven to 350 F while you prepare the rest of the dough.
- Mix until fully combined and the dough is sticky. Keep adding in more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball, then transfer the ball to a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, but be careful that it doesn’t break!
- Next, cut your dough into two strips, then roll each strip together. Look at the video for exact instructions on how to do this!
- Finally, transfer your cinnamon roll to a greased ramekin or mug and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes. While the cinnamon roll is baking, prepare your icing by mixing the icing ingredients together, in a bowl, until there are no clumps.
- Once your cinnamon roll is done, remove it from the oven and let cool completely before adding in the icing. Then, add the icing, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Rate & review
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