Once I Baked a Can of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Like THIS, I’ve Never Baked One Another Way
Election Day is just around the corner, in case you missed the flood of messages from political parties and the barrage of ads. Let’s just say, the feelings are real, and the nerves are running high. As a food writer and child of a restaurant family, food is the lens in which I see and process the world, so naturally, I gravitate toward comfort food during these especially heightened moments.
I’ve been eating all of the stews, soups, and other warming dishes to soothe my stomach (and mind) lately, but the best treatment for an anxious mind? An ooey, gooey dessert. My latest favorite is my two-ingredient giant cinnamon bun and ice cream that I’ve been making on repeat — and will continue to throughout the next few weeks.
It’s made with a can of Pillsbury Original Cinnamon Rolls and ice cream, takes hardly any dishes, and is totally delicious.
What Makes This Giant Cinnamon Bun So Good?
An ordinary cinnamon roll is delicious, but a giant one? Divine. This recipe takes minimal ingredients (a can of Pillsbury Original Cinnamon Rolls and a pint of ice cream of your choice), one round baking dish, and under 30 minutes. The basic premise of this dish is unrolling the premade cinnamon roll dough, and rerolling them into one mega bun. Sure, it’s easy to throw together, but more importantly, it tastes so, so good.
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Refrigerated Pastry Dough With Original Icing
Instacart
$4.99
Buy Now
In my opinion, the best part of a cinnamon roll is the center, and with this giant version, the “middle” of the cinnamon roll is the equivalent of one entire cinnamon roll, so it’s basically the hacks of all hacks. Fresh out of the oven, this roll is full of delicate cinnamon-sugar flavoring and the texture is so soft, like a cloud! I also love that once cooled, it can be cut into eighths like a cake and be served with a hefty scoop of ice cream. I enjoy pairing my roll with Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Half Baked, anything from Caffè Panna, or just a really good scoop of vanilla ice cream
But hey, it’s your giant cinnamon roll. Eat it with a spoon straight out of the pan, if you’d like.
How to Make My Giant Cinnamon Bun
To me, the best desserts are low-lift, high-reward — and that’s precisely what this dessert is all about. Here’s how I do it.
1. Prepare your workstation. Preheat the oven to 400°F and pop open your Pillsbury Original Cinnamon Rolls on the counter (or however you do it).
2. Unroll and wrap the dough. In an 8-inch round baking dish (or square), place one whole cinnamon roll at the center of the dish. One by one, slowly unravel the remaining rolls and wrap them around the already-placed cinnamon roll in the dish to form a giant cinnamon roll.
3. Bake until golden. Place in oven and bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until golden brown (I recommend baking them slightly longer than the packaging says, because they’re all squished together). Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
4. Slice, scoop, and serve. Cut the roll into eights and serve with a scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!
After turning them into a giant roll, I may never make cinnamon rolls any other way again.
Buy: Pillsbury Original Cinnamon Rolls, $5.99 for 12.7 ounces at Instacart; Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Half Baked, $5.99 for a 16-ounce pint
What is your favorite two-ingredient dessert? Tell us about it in the comments below!
