Whataburger cinnamon roll

Honestly? I never thought I'd be able to make copycat whataburger cinnamon rolls in my own kitchen that actually taste like the real thing. But here we are.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Recipe
• What You Need For These Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls
• Copycat Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls
• How To Make Copycat Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls
• Storage And Reheating
• Variations On These Cinnamon Rolls
• FAQs About Copycat Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls
• Recipes You May Like
• A Sweet Ending

Alex begged me to recreate these after a road trip through Texas last summer. He talked about that cinnamon roll for weeks after we got home. So one Sunday morning, I finally gave in and started testing.

Three batches later, I had it. Soft, pillowy dough. A gooey cinnamon swirl. And that sweet icing melting right into the center. Sarah walked into the kitchen still in her pajamas and asked if she could lick the bowl. That's how I know a recipe is a keeper.

If you love a good sweet breakfast bake, you might also want to try this cinnamon sugar pizza made with crescent rolls. It's another one of our weekend favorites, and it comes together in a fraction of the time.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

There's a lot to love here, and I promise it's not complicated.

• It tastes just like the drive thru version, but warmer and fresher
• The dough only needs one rise, so you're not waiting around all day
• You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry
• The icing is simple. Just powdered sugar, cream, and a few minutes of whisking
• Kids can help roll and cut the dough, which makes it a fun weekend project
• They reheat beautifully, so leftovers (if you have any) taste just as good the next day

What You Need For These Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls

Here's everything you'll need. Nothing fancy, I promise.

For the dough:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the cinnamon filling:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the icing:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream

A quick note on substitutions. If you're out of heavy cream, whole milk works fine for the icing, it just won't be quite as thick. And if you want a tangier finish, swap in some of our buttercream frosting recipe instead of the simple glaze.

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How To Make Copycat Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls

I'm going to break this down into a few smaller sections. It looks like a lot of steps, but really it's just mixing, rolling, and waiting.

Making The Dough

Warm your milk until it's just slightly hot to the touch, not boiling. Stir in the yeast and granulated sugar, then let it sit for about 10 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it looks frothy on top, almost like a light foam.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Pour in your yeast mixture and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter and knead for about 5 minutes. It should feel smooth and a little springy under your hands. This is the part Alex likes best, he calls it his arm workout.

Letting It Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it's doubled in size.

I usually use this hour to clean the kitchen or catch up on laundry. It's the perfect built in break.

Rolling And Filling

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about a quarter inch thick. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface, right to the edges.

Mix your brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough. Use your hands to press it in gently so it sticks.

Starting from the longer side, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Slice it into 12 even pieces. I use a piece of plain dental floss to get clean cuts without squashing the dough, a trick my mom taught me years ago.

Baking The Rolls

Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one so they have room to puff up.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until they're golden brown on top and cooked through in the center.

While they're still warm, whisk together the powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth, then drizzle it generously over the rolls. Watching that icing melt into the warm dough is honestly my favorite part.

Storage And Reheating

If you somehow have leftovers, here's what works for us.

Store the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, move them to the fridge, where they'll keep for about 5 days.

To reheat, pop a roll in the microwave for about 15 seconds. That's usually all it takes to bring back that soft, warm texture.

You can also freeze the unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge, warm them in the oven, and add fresh icing before serving.

Variations On These Cinnamon Rolls

Once you've made this recipe a few times, you'll start to notice little ways to make it your own.

• Want more filling? Double the cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra gooey center
• Try adding a handful of chopped pecans to the filling for some crunch
• A splash of vanilla extract in the icing adds a nice depth of flavor
• Swap the heavy cream icing for a cream cheese version if you like a tangier finish

Ever wonder why bakery cinnamon rolls taste richer than homemade ones? It usually comes down to using real butter instead of margarine, and not skimping on the filling. Don't be shy with the cinnamon sugar here.

One thing to avoid is over baking. Pull the rolls out as soon as the tops turn golden. A few extra minutes in the oven and they'll dry out fast.

FAQs About Copycat Whataburger Cinnamon Rolls

How do you make copycat Whataburger cinnamon rolls at home?

It comes down to a simple, soft dough, a generous cinnamon brown sugar filling, and a quick icing made from powdered sugar and cream. The whole process takes about an hour and a half from start to finish, most of which is just waiting for the dough to rise.

Can I prepare Whataburger cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes, and this is actually one of my favorite tricks for busy mornings. Roll and cut the dough the night before, place the rolls in your baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes while your oven preheats, then bake as directed.

How do I keep homemade cinnamon rolls soft and fluffy?

Don't over knead the dough, and don't skip the rise time. Both steps help build that light, pillowy texture. Also, don't overbake them. Pull them from the oven the moment they turn golden, since they'll continue cooking a bit from residual heat.

Can I freeze copycat Whataburger cinnamon rolls?

Absolutely. Freeze the baked rolls without icing for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy one, thaw it in the fridge overnight, warm it in the oven, then add fresh icing right before serving.

Recipes You May Like

If you loved this recipe, here are a few more sweet treats worth trying.

• Irresistibly Soft Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, for when you want a little fall flavor mixed into your morning roll
• Heavenly Sticky Toffee Cinnamon Rolls, a richer, toffee soaked take on the classic
• Fluffy Brioche Donuts, another soft, buttery bake the whole family will fight over

A Sweet Ending

These copycat Whataburger cinnamon rolls have become one of our go to weekend bakes, and I don't think that's changing anytime soon. They're soft, sweet, and taste just like the ones that started this whole obsession on a random Texas road trip.

Give them a try this weekend. Let the kids help roll and cut the dough, then watch everyone gather around the kitchen the moment that icing goes on.

I'd love to hear how yours turn out. Save this one to Pinterest for later, and happy baking!