14 Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipes for Brunch
Nothing beats the warm, gooey embrace of fresh cinnamon rolls on a lazy brunch weekend. I still remember the scent wafting from my grandma’s kitchen every Sunday morning—her hands dusted with flour as she rolled out dough slathered in cinnamon sugar, the rolls baking into sticky perfection that we’d devour straight from the pan. Those memories fuel my passion for perfecting cinnamon rolls, turning simple dough into indulgent treats that bring people together.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking classics with seasonal twists and unexpected flavors to elevate brunch game. From pumpkin spice for fall vibes to salted caramel for that sweet-salty hit, these gooey creations have wowed my friends at weekend gatherings. In a world rushing through breakfast, these recipes remind us to slow down, savor the melt-in-your-mouth goodness, and make brunch a celebration.
Classic Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
These timeless rolls are the foundation of brunch bliss, with a rich yeast dough, cinnamon-sugar filling, and cream cheese icing that oozes into every swirl. Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp yeast, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 eggs, 4 cups flour, filling (1 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup butter), icing (8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla). Mix dough ingredients, let rise 1 hour, roll out, add filling, slice into 12 rolls, bake at 350°F for 20-25 mins, top with icing. They’re beginner-friendly, comfortingly nostalgic, and yield pillowy softness perfect for sharing.

Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Infuse fall flavors into brunch with pumpkin puree in the dough for extra moisture and spice in the filling. Ingredients: Dough as classic but add 1 cup pumpkin puree; filling adds 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice; icing with 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Prepare dough, incorporate pumpkin, rise, fill with spiced cinnamon mix, bake as classic. Moist, aromatic, and seasonally irresistible, these boost immunity with pumpkin’s vitamins and pair perfectly with coffee.

Caramel Apple Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Chopped apples and caramel sauce create a pie-like filling that caramelizes into gooey pockets. Ingredients: Classic dough; filling with 2 diced apples, 1/2 cup caramel sauce, cinnamon; drizzle extra caramel on top. Roll dough, layer apples and caramel over cinnamon, bake 25 mins. Fruit adds natural sweetness and fiber, making these a healthier indulgence that’s brunch-table showstoppers.

Chocolate Hazelnut Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Nutella swirled with cinnamon turns these into decadent breakfast brownies. Ingredients: Classic dough; filling 1 cup Nutella, 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, cinnamon. Spread Nutella mix on dough, roll tightly, bake, frost lightly. Antioxidant-rich hazelnuts and chocolate provide a luxurious energy boost for brunch crowds.

Orange Zest Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Bright citrus zest in the dough and icing cuts through richness for a refreshing twist. Ingredients: Dough with zest of 2 oranges; filling standard; icing adds orange juice. Infuse zest during mixing, proceed as classic. Vitamin C from oranges enhances these light, zingy rolls ideal for sunny brunches.

Peanut Butter Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Creamy peanut butter in the filling and swirl creates addictive, salty-sweet layers. Ingredients: Classic dough; filling 1 cup peanut butter, brown sugar, cinnamon. Swirl PB into cinnamon mix, bake, top with PB icing. Protein-packed for sustained brunch energy, these satisfy cravings like no other.

Maple Bacon Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Crispy bacon bits and maple syrup make these savory-sweet savages for bold brunches. Ingredients: Dough as classic; filling adds 1/2 cup cooked bacon, 1/4 cup maple; glaze with maple. Mix bacon into filling, bake, drizzle maple. Balances indulgence with smoky protein for hearty satisfaction.

Berry Blast Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Fresh berries burst into juicy filling, staining the dough purple-pink. Ingredients: Classic dough; filling with 1 cup mixed berries, cinnamon, sugar. Fold berries in, bake 22 mins, berry icing. Antioxidants from berries make these vibrant, guilt-free treats.

Almond Joy Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Coconut, almonds, and chocolate evoke candy bar bliss in roll form. Ingredients: Dough with 1/2 cup coconut; filling chocolate chips, almonds, cinnamon. Layer toppings, bake, chocolate drizzle. Tropical flavors and healthy fats energize brunch beautifully.

Matcha Green Tea Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Earthy matcha powder greens the dough for an antioxidant-packed, Instagram-worthy roll. Ingredients: 2 tbsp matcha in dough; filling standard; green tea icing. Whisk matcha in, proceed, bake. Detox benefits from matcha elevate these zen brunch delights.

Salted Caramel Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade salted caramel soaks into every crevice for ultimate goo. Ingredients: Classic dough; filling with 1 cup salted caramel sauce. Pour caramel post-bake soak. Sea salt balances sweetness, creating addictive, shareable luxury.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Tart lemon curd and blueberries pop against cinnamon warmth. Ingredients: Dough with lemon zest; filling blueberries, lemon curd, cinnamon. Dot with berries, bake, lemon glaze. Bright flavors and berries’ fiber refresh brunch palates.

Pecan Pie Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Chopped pecans in gooey syrup mimic pie filling inside soft rolls. Ingredients: Filling with 1 cup pecans, 1/2 cup corn syrup, brown sugar. Simmer pecan mix, spread, bake. Nutty crunch and richness make these brunch royalty.

Red Velvet Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Cocoa-tinted dough with cream cheese filling for cake-like decadence. Ingredients: Dough with 2 tbsp cocoa, red food color; white chocolate icing. Color dough red, fill cinnamon, bake. Fun visuals and cocoa antioxidants thrill brunch guests.

Whether you’re hosting a crowd or treating yourself, these 14 gooey cinnamon roll recipes promise to make your brunch unforgettable—grab your apron, bake a batch, and let the sticky, spicy magic fill your home!
