There’s something about cinnamon rolls that makes me feel warm and happy. Maybe it’s the smell of cinnamon and sugar filling the air, or the soft and fluffy texture of the dough, or the gooey and sweet glaze on top. Whatever it is, I can never resist a freshly baked cinnamon roll.

But making cinnamon rolls from scratch can be a hassle. You have to make the dough, let it rise, roll it out, fill it, cut it, let it rise again, and then bake it. That’s a lot of work and time, especially if you’re hungry or in a hurry.

That’s why I love this recipe for apple or pear butter cinnamon rolls. It uses frozen bread dough and store-bought apple or pear butter, which are both easy to find and use and cuts the traditional cinnamon roll process down to just over an hour!

The apple or pear butter adds a wonderful flavor and moisture to the cinnamon rolls, making them extra soft and tender. You can use either apple or pear butter, depending on your preference or availability. They both taste great and complement the cinnamon well.

Customizing These Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is very versatile and adaptable, so you can make some changes according to your taste or dietary needs. Here are some suggestions:

• If you’re feeling productive, you can definitely make the dough and/or fruit butter for this recipe from scratch. For this recipe, I used a spiced pear butter I’d made last fall, and since the fruit butter was already spiced, I skipped adding the extra cinnamon in step 2.
• Most pre-prepared bread doughs are vegan, though you’ll want to check the label first. You can also find gluten-free bread doughs if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
• If you want to add some crunch or texture to the cinnamon rolls, you can sprinkle some chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, over the apple or pear butter before rolling up the dough.
• If you want to make the glaze more flavorful, you can add some vanilla extract, lemon juice or orange juice. Or, try replacing the milk with some apple or pear cider.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

These cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat them, you can microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds, or bake them in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes at 350°F.

Freezing and Reheating

If you want to make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time, you can freeze them before or after baking. Here’s how:

• To freeze them before baking, follow the recipe until step 2, but do not let the sliced rolls rise in the baking dish. Instead, place them in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space between them. Cover the container with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Bake as directed in step 3.
• To freeze them after baking, let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then, wrap the entire pan with plastic wrap and foil, or transfer the individual rolls to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then microwave or bake them as described above. You can also make the glaze ahead of time and freeze it in a separate container, then thaw and warm it before drizzling over the cinnamon rolls.

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