Name: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 145 min
Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast); 1 cup warm milk (110°F); ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted); 2 large eggs; ½ tsp salt; ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup brown sugar (packed); 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 –3 tsp milk; ½ tsp vanilla extract

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These whole wheat cinnamon rolls are soft, slightly nutty, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. They make a wonderful breakfast on a cold winter morning that everyone is sure to enjoy.

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The BEST Homemade Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

There’s something especially comforting about a pan of warm cinnamon rolls baking in the oven, and these whole wheat cinnamon rolls bring that same cozy joy with a little extra nourishment. Made with wholesome whole wheat flour, they have a soft, tender texture and a rich, slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with a sweet cinnamon filling. They’re the kind of treat that feels both homemade and heartfelt—perfect for slow mornings, holidays, or anytime you want your kitchen to smell amazing.

These rolls are proof that baking with whole wheat doesn’t mean sacrificing softness or flavor. Whether you’re trying to use more traditional, from-scratch ingredients or simply love a heartier baked good, this recipe is an easy and satisfying place to start. Serve them warm with a simple glaze or just as they are, alongside a cup of coffee, and enjoy a comforting classic made a little more wholesome. If you want more delicious dessert recipes, be sure to check out the links below and happy baking friends!

Want more homemade dessert recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:

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Ingredients for Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

whole wheat flour
all-purpose flour
active dry yeast
milk
granulated sugar
unsalted butter
eggs
salt
brown sugar
cinnamon
powdered sugar
vanilla extract

How to Make Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with the sugar and salt.

Let sit for 5–10 minutes until it starts to bubble.

Add melted butter and eggs to the yeast mixture.

In a medium bowl, mix whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour,

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.

Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Cinnamon roll dough in a ball on a floured surface next to a rolling pin.

Punch down dough and roll into a 12×18-inch rectangle.

Cinnamon roll dough rolled out in a rectangle.

Spread softened butter over the surface of the dough.

In small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.

Cinnamon roll dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar rolled out into a rectangle.

Roll dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even rolls.

Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover, and let rise in warm place 30–40 minutes.

Cinnamon rolls placed in white casserole dish before going into the oven.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

If desired, mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

Close up view of a pan of freshly baked and iced cinnamon rolls.

Print Recipe

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Deliciously nutty whole wheat bread dough, rolled out thin, sprinkled with butter, cinnamon and sugar, then cut into slices and baked until golden brown.

Prep Time2

Cook Time25

Total Time2 25

Course: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: whole wheat cinnamon roll

Servings: rolls

Calories: 307kcal

Ingredients

For the dough:

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk 110°F
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter melted
2 large eggs
½ tsp salt

For the filling:

¼ cup unsalted butter softened
½ cup brown sugar packed
2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 –3 tsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with the sugar and salt.
Let sit for 5–10 minutes until it starts to bubble.
Add melted butter and eggs to the yeast mixture.
In a medium bowl, mix whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour,
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Punch down dough and roll into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
Spread softened butter over the surface of the dough.
In small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
Roll dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even rolls.
Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover, and let rise in warm place 30–40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
If desired, mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls before serving.