Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Delight Recipe

Quick & Cozy Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Delight Recipe

Sweet potato cinnamon roll delights revamp ordinary breakfast moments into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Warm spices dance through soft, pillowy dough, creating an irresistible aroma that fills kitchen spaces.

Rich, velvety sweet potato adds unexpected depth and moisture to traditional pastry techniques.

Bakers passionate about comfort foods will adore this innovative twist on classic breakfast treats.

Decadent swirls of cinnamon weave through tender layers, promising a sensory experience beyond standard morning fare.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of earthy sweetness and warming spices that comfort and excite taste buds.

Comfort and creativity merge in this delectable morning indulgence.

Why Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Are a Warm Hug

  • Unleash Sweet Potato Magic: Transform ordinary cinnamon rolls into an extraordinary dessert by infusing them with creamy sweet potato, creating a unique twist that elevates classic comfort food.
  • Texture Wonderland: Experience a delightful combination of soft, pillowy dough with a gooey cinnamon-sweet potato filling, complemented by a rich, velvety cream cheese glaze that melts in your mouth.
  • Stress-Free Baking Delight: This recipe offers foolproof steps with simple mixing techniques and clear instructions, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want to create impressive homemade treats without complicated processes.

What Goes Into These Fall-Inspired Rolls

Yeast and Activator:
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and creating a soft, fluffy texture. Fresh yeast ensures better bread performance..
  • Granulated Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and provides subtle sweetness to the dough..
  • Warm Water: Perfect medium to dissolve and activate the yeast at the right temperature..
Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Primary structural ingredient for creating a tender and smooth cinnamon roll dough. Choose unbleached flour for best results..
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning during baking..
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness..
  • Sweet Potato Puree: Provides moisture, natural sweetness, and beautiful orange color to the dough..
  • Whole Milk: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender texture..
  • Unsalted Butter: Contributes to flavor, moisture, and creates a rich, tender crumb..
  • Large Egg, Egg Yolk: Bind ingredients, add richness, and provide structure to the dough..
Filling and Glaze:
  • Dark Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Classic filling combination with deep, warm flavors and aromatic spiciness..
  • Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness in the filling..
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates a smooth, spreadable filling with rich flavor..
  • Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Key ingredients for creating a smooth, tangy, and sweet glaze..
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the glaze..
  • Sea Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile..
  • Milk: Adjust.

How to Bake Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Right

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine active dry yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until a thick foam forms on top, showing the yeast is alive and ready to work.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

Grab your stand mixer with a dough hook. Add these ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Salt
Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Then add:
  • Sweet potato puree
  • Room temperature milk
  • Melted butter
  • Yeast mixture
  • Eggs

Continue mixing on low for about 1 minute.

Step 3: Develop the Dough Texture

Introduce the remaining flour and mix on medium speed. Increase to medium-high and knead for 7-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and pulls away from the bowl’s sides.

Step 4: First Dough Rise

Shape the dough into a perfect ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover and let it rest in a warm spot for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface into a rectangular shape. Spread the filling evenly across the surface. Carefully roll the dough tightly and slice into individual rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place the cut rolls in a prepared baking pan. Let them rise again for 40 minutes until they become puffy and almost touching.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 8: Create Decadent Glaze

Brown the butter in a pan. Mix with:
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Milk

Drizzle the warm glaze over the freshly baked rolls and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Enjoy your sweet and comforting homemade treat!

Tips for a Fluffy Roll and Spiced Filling

  • Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating a fluffy texture.
  • Knead with Confidence: Mix dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, pulling cleanly from bowl sides, which guarantees tender cinnamon rolls.
  • Control Moisture Carefully: Sweet potato puree adds moisture, so adjust flour slightly if dough feels too sticky or dry during mixing.
  • Rise in Warm Sanctuary: Place dough in draft-free spot like inside a turned-off oven with light on, maintaining consistent temperature for optimal rising.
  • Slice Rolls Cleanly: Use unwaxed dental floss or sharp serrated knife for precise, even cuts that prevent squishing delicate dough when dividing rolls.

Reheating Rolls Without Drying Out the Glaze

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover sweet potato cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Freezing: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Place rolls in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Reheating: Warm refrigerated rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Add a small splash of milk to restore softness and prevent them from becoming tough.

What to Pair with These Soft, Sweet Rolls

  • Brew Cozy Cinnamon Companions: Pair these sweet potato cinnamon rolls with a warm, spiced chai latte or a rich caramel macchiato to complement the roll's warm cinnamon notes and enhance the sweet potato's earthy undertones.
  • Match Nutty Flavor Boosters: Serve alongside a handful of toasted pecans or candied walnuts to amplify the existing nut garnish and add delightful textural crunch that echoes the rolls' soft interior.
  • Create Creamy Breakfast Sidekicks: Accompany the rolls with a dollop of whipped Greek yogurt drizzled with maple syrup or a small glass of cold milk to balance the rich, sweet glaze and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Explore Complementary Fruit Accents: Add a small side of caramelized apple slices or a bright orange marmalade to introduce a tangy element that cuts through the rolls' sweetness and adds vibrant flavor complexity.

Flavor Twists Like Nuts, Maple, or Frosting

  • Sweet Potato Swirl: Replace traditional cinnamon filling with a roasted sweet potato and brown sugar mixture, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile that highlights the recipe's core ingredient.
  • Maple Pecan Fusion: Swap the standard glaze for a rich maple cream cheese topping, then generously sprinkle toasted pecans for added crunch and nutty warmth.
  • Spiced Autumn Comfort: Incorporate ground cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger into the dough and filling, transforming the rolls into a cozy seasonal treat that captures fall's essence.
  • Caribbean Inspiration: Infuse the dough with coconut milk, add a hint of rum extract to the filling, and top with a tropical-inspired glaze made with lime zest and coconut cream.
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Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Delight Recipe

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Delight Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Homemade sweet potato cinnamon rolls combine Southern comfort with warm, fragrant spices. Rich, pillowy dough infused with smooth sweet potato creates a delightful breakfast treat you’ll crave from first delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sweet potato puree
  • 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

  • ¼ ounce (7 grams) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 34 tablespoons milk
  • 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 8 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining it with sugar in warm water. Allow the mixture to develop a foamy texture, indicating successful fermentation.
  2. In a stand mixer, blend flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually introduce sweet potato puree, milk, melted butter, activated yeast, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Gradually fold in remaining flour, kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should cleanly separate from the mixing bowl’s sides.
  4. Transfer the dough to a greased container, shaping it into a compact sphere. Cover and position in a warm environment, allowing it to expand and double in volume.
  5. After chilling the dough briefly, roll it into a rectangular shape on a floured surface. Generously distribute the cinnamon filling across the entire surface, creating an even layer.
  6. Carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder, then slice into individual segments. Arrange the rolls strategically within a prepared baking pan.
  7. Permit the rolls to undergo a secondary rise, becoming light and puffy. This process enhances their texture and volume.
  8. Heat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls until they transform into a rich, golden-brown color with crisp edges.
  9. Craft the glaze by browning butter and blending it with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Drizzle the decadent mixture over warm rolls, garnishing with chopped pecans for added crunch and flavor.

Notes

  • Rich sweet potato introduces extraordinary moisture and soft texture to traditional cinnamon rolls.
  • Yeast activation requires precise temperature control for perfect dough rising and fluffy consistency.
  • Chilling dough briefly before rolling helps maintain structural integrity and prevents excessive stickiness during assembly.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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