Topped with a vanilla orange glaze and filled with buttery cinnamon, these Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls take you right back to Grandma’s kitchen with just one bite. They’re perfect for Christmas morning or a special breakfast anytime of year.

*UPDATED POST* – Every year for Christmas my family enjoys old fashioned cinnamon rolls for our “early morning” breakfast. It’s part of our Christmas tradition.

We eat them while we’re opening our gifts and it’s something we all look forward to each year, especially the girls.

The recipe for these old fashioned cinnamon rolls came from my Gram’s old cookbook that I love so much.  

I’ve altered the recipe slightly over the years to make them even better and I’ve even switched it up by adding different flavors to the glaze. But, vanilla orange glaze is our favorite.

It’s sweet and citrus-y, making it perfect for Christmas morning. You can even make this recipe weeks ahead of time and freeze the cinnamon rolls.

Although, I recommend holding off on the glaze if you are freezing them!

Just prepare the rolls as directed below and stick them in the freezer without glaze. Add the glaze when you’re ready to eat them.

Or if you want to and you have time, make them a couple of days ahead and then, pop them in the oven to heat and soften on Christmas morning. Either way, they’re perfect.

So, if you’re looking for something delicious to serve your family for Christmas morning, try my old fashioned cinnamon rolls. You might just find your kiddos asking for them every year!

Here’s the recipe –

Supplies Needed:

• Small and Large mixing bowls
• Sharp knife
• 11″ x 17″ baking sheet

Here’s the recipe:

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Yield: 30 rolls

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Orange Glaze

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Prep Time 25 minutes

Rise Time 2 hours

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. instant dry yeast, approx. 2 1/4 teaspoons
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 cups scalded milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 6 cups flour
• 4 tablespoons shortening, butter flavored
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

1. Combine the yeast and warm water in a small dish, set aside.
2. Mix the scalded milk, sugar, flour and shortening in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast mixture and knead to combine.
3. Cover and let the dough rise for about 1 hour (or until doubled in size).
4. Punch the dough down and roll into a large rectangle (approx. 15 inches wide by 6 inches high) on a lightly floured surface.
5. Drizzle the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
6. Roll the dough, like a jelly roll and cut into 1" slices using a sharp knife.
7. Arrange the slices on an 11" x 17" baking sheet. Allow the rolls to rise for an additional 45 to 60 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
10. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan.

Enjoy!

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Vanessa Hamlin

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.