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Rock your next camping trip with this giant Dutch oven cinnamon roll. Everyone will love it! Not a camper? It can also be baked in the oven in your very own kitchen. Learn which option is best for you!
Featured with this recipe
- Everything You Need to Know About Dutch Ovens
- Ingredients in Easy Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls
- How to Make Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
- Making Homemade Glaze
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing and Make Ahead Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll
- Best Dutch Oven Recipes
- How To Make Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll
- Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Dutch oven cinnamon rolls are a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic sweet treat while camping outdoors or even making them in the oven at home. These are a delicious treat to have while outside looking at the stars or gathering around with friends and family to share it with at home. Dutch oven cinnamon rolls are an amazing treat that you can master the art of making them perfectly!
Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your specific equipment and conditions, it is best to monitor the cinnamon rolls closely, especially the first time you make them in your Dutch oven. Cooking with a Dutch oven is a versatile and enjoyable way to prepare a wide range of dishes, both indoors and outdoors. We love making these Dutch oven cinnamon rolls for our family during the holidays or any family gathering!
Everything You Need to Know About Dutch Ovens
When it comes to cooking tools, the Dutch oven is arguably one of the most versatile pans to have in your kitchen cupboards. While most people think of them more as an outdoor cooking experience, that is not the only way they can be used. Dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop or in the oven as well as over a bed of hot coals on your campfire. We love using our Dutch oven on various recipes our family loves!
- Choose the Right Dutch Oven – Dutch ovens range in price, brand, as well as capacity. They are known for their excellent heat retention and even cooking. Make sure your Dutch oven has a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and heat effectively.
- Preheat the Dutch Oven – Preheat your Dutch oven before adding ingredients. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. For outdoor cooking, preheat it by placing it over hot coals or on a campfire grate.
- Use the Right Heat Source – When cooking outdoors, use charcoal briquettes or a campfire with a grill grate for consistent heat. Indoors, you can use a stovetop, oven, or even an electric skillet with a flat bottom.
- Use Appropriate Utensils – A wooden spoon or silicone utensils are ideal for cooking in a Dutch oven as they will not scratch the seasoning on the Dutch oven.
- How to use Dutch ovens – Dutch ovens are versatile and can be used for baking, frying, roasting, simmering, and more. Whether you are making stews, bread, desserts, or one-pot meals, a Dutch oven can be a great cookware in the kitchen. Most of your comfort food comes from a Dutch oven.
- Recipes to use with Dutch ovens – Our favorite recipe is a classic Dutch Oven Potato, but Dutch ovens can be used for making soups and sauces, boiling water for pasta, frying chicken, braising other meat, and for baking bread. Our Dutch Oven Bread is crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside and so delicious.
Ingredients in Easy Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls
This ooey, gooey, cinnamon roll recipe is so easy because we take out all of the hassle! No need for flour, yeast, eggs, salt, or even mixing with a dough hook. All you need is the frozen bread dough! Trust me, once you get it covered with all the yummy toppings, you will never be able to tell the difference!
- Frozen bread dough – Thaw the bread dough according to the package directions, then you can cut and rope the dough. The dough will rise again in the Dutch oven after it is roped.
- Butter – Melt the butter ahead of time. You can use either salted or unsalted butter.
- Brown sugar – Added in for sweetness and giving that delicious brown sugar flavor!
- Sugar – Take your granulated sugar and mix it together with cinnamon making a sugar and cinnamon combination. It is a classic cinnamon roll flavor!
- Cinnamon – You can add cinnamon to your liking! Add more or less, depending on your preference.
- Pecans – Pecans or walnuts chopped up or bought prechopped in a bag. You will need about a third of a cup for a single batch, and another few pecan halves to sprinkle on top for a pretty look!
- Add-ins – You can customize your cinnamon rolls by adding chopped nuts, raisins, or other fillings to the cinnamon-sugar mixture before rolling up the dough.
How to Make Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
We love making this cinnamon roll recipe on family camping trips. The ingredients are easy to pack in a cooler and they taste scrumptious mixed with cool mountain air! For this Dutch oven cinnamon roll recipe, we tripled it for the family and friends that we had gathered together. This will fit a 10-inch Dutch oven.
- Prepare dough – Cut each rectangle loaf into four pieces, then roll each piece into a rope about 18 inches long. This will be used as the cinnamon roll dough. Brush each rope on all sides with melted butter.
- Combine – In a small bowl, mix together sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on some aluminum foil, a piece of parchment paper, or plastic wrap, and roll each rope in the mixture.
- Spray Dutch oven – If possible, spray the Dutch oven with cooking spray. before layering the cinnamon roll ropes.
- Layer – Shape ropes into a coil in the center of a 10-inch Dutch oven, and repeat until all four ropes are layered in, matching the long edges end to end. The layers will create the cinnamon roll look. Sprinkle on any remaining sugar mixture and the nuts and then close the lid.
- Rise – Let it rise for 30 to 40 minutes, then bake until golden brown! If you are cooking outside, cover the top of the lid with hot charcoals. Or bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Serve – Remove pieces of cinnamon roll with a knife or tongs, and serve! Make sure you keep some paper towels handy because these cinnamon buns are so gooey and yummy!
Making Homemade Glaze
You won’t want to forget about the delicious glaze frosting on top! Mix a little powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and drizzle on top. This powdered sugar glaze is so light and tasty that gives these cinnamon rolls the perfect touch of sweet and savory in every warm bite!
- Powdered sugar – This is also known as confectioners sugar. It is a thicker sugar that has a powdered texture. Very silky and smooth feeling when touching it with your fingers.
- Vanilla – Adds in flavor and slightly tints the glaze a brown color.
- Milk – Adds the liquid to the glaze giving the icing a creamy and light texture to drizzle over top of the Dutch oven cinnamon rolls. Use whole milk for a thicker type of icing.
“I made this for breakfast over the weekend and everyone loved it! I already can’t wait to make it again! Thanks so much!”
-Jessica
Frequently Asked Questions
A Dutch oven cinnamon roll is a sweet dessert made from a rolled-out dough or frozen dough that is filled with a mixture of butter, sugar, and cinnamon. These rolls are typically baked in a Dutch oven, whether it is over a campfire or in a conventional oven.
Yes, you can make Dutch oven cinnamon rolls indoors! You can bake them in a regular oven instead of using an outdoor campfire or coals. These Dutch oven cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat for outdoor adventures, but you can also make them in a regular oven if you are not camping. Just bake them at 350° Fahrenheit for about the same amount of time.
To preheat a Dutch oven for cinnamon rolls, place it over your chosen heat source. You can use a campfire, coals, stovetop, or oven. Allow it to heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. This ensures even cooking.
To prevent sticking, either line the Dutch oven with parchment paper or grease it with a non-stick cooking spray before placing the rolls inside.
There are so many recipes that can be made in a cast iron Dutch oven. Soups are always popular. We love our tortellini soup recipe, chicken soup, chili, or a good beef stew recipe. Dutch ovens are great for making a one-pot meal like pot roasts or cooking ground beef for tacos. You can get creative and make Dutch oven pizza or Dutch oven mac with bacon. For a traditional dinner cook ham, chicken thighs, or pork. The recipes are endless!
Storing and Make Ahead Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll
Making Dutch oven cinnamon rolls ahead of time really helps speed up the process but also can be made ahead for the days of camping. It is simple to do and can easily be stored once the Dutch oven cinnamon roll is cooked. Try both these ways if you need to store or make the Dutch oven cinnamon roll ahead of time!
- Making ahead – You can prepare the cinnamon rolls in advance, up to the point of slicing them and placing them in the Dutch oven. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.
- Storing – If you are looking to store your Dutch oven cinnamon rolls, you are pretty lucky to have them left over! Place the cinnamon roll in an airtight container for three to four days long. When ready to reheat, place in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds or until warmed through. You do not want to overcook.
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Best Dutch Oven Recipes
People often equate cast iron Dutch oven cooking with camping, or at least outdoor cooking. Here are some great things to consider pairing with your Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll that can be made with your stove. Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets or these Grilled Ranch Potatoes in Foil make for great weeknight dinner options over the fire. If you want something transportable, and easy to eat while you’re hanging out in your camp chair, these Locos Tacos in a bag are perfect.
How To Make Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll
Dutch Oven Cinnamon Roll
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
Cinnamon Pecan Ring:
- 2 loaves frozen bread dough thawed
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- pecan halves optional
Glaze:
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Cut each loaf of bread dough into 4 pieces. Form each piece into a rope about 18” long. Brush each rope on all sides with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Place mixture on aluminum foil. Roll rope in sugar mixture. Shape rope into a coil in the center of a 10” Dutch oven.
- Repeat with the next rope and continue the coil in the Dutch oven. When finished sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture and chopped pecans over the coil.
- Cover and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees, or with top and bottom charcoal heat, for 30 minutes or until done.
For the Glaze
- Stir glaze ingredients together in a bowl. If the glaze is too thick add milk a little at a time until it reaches the desired thickness.
- Allow the cinnamon roll to cool for about 15 minutes after baking. Spoon the glaze evenly over the cinnamon roll.
- Sprinkle pecan halves over glaze (optional).
Hello! I don’t have a lot of experience with bread dough…do I let it go through the full rising process before roping it, or does it just need to be thawed? Thanks!
It just needs to be thawed. I apologize, it wasn’t clear on the recipe. Thaw the bread dough according to the package directions, then you can cut and rope the dough. The dough will rise again in the Dutch oven after it is roped. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
I use similar recipe to make cinnamon buns. My recipe calls for 2/3 stick of butter and 1 cup brown sugar per loaf of frozen dough. Can’t imagine less to get good results.
What specific type of bread would you use? Sandwich bread or cinnamon roll bread? I am really confused. Also if we tripled the recipe, do we need more time for it to cook?
It is frozen sandwich bread dough. I haven’t tried tripling the recipe before, but I am guessing it will need to cook a little longer and possibly at a lower temperature to make sure the inside cooks fully.