Description

This Giant Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll recipe delivers a soft, fluffy, and warmly spiced plant-based treat baked in one skillet. With a tender dough, rich cinnamon filling, and luscious plant-based frosting, it’s perfect for family breakfasts or special weekend indulgences. The cast iron skillet creates an even bake and golden crust with minimal cleanup, while customizable flavor options add versatility to this comforting classic.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup plant-based milk, warmed to about 110°F
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons plant-based butter, softened
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)

Filling

4 tablespoons plant-based butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon spice

Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar (plant-based)
2–3 tablespoons grape juice (natural)
1 tablespoon plant-based butter, softened
½ teaspoon natural gelling agent

Optional Variations

¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
¼ cup diced apples or raisins
¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips or 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Pinch of cardamom or nutmeg
Maple syrup (natural) as glaze alternative

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Warm the plant-based milk to about 110°F and stir in the active dry yeast with a pinch of sugar. Let it rest until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Add the softened plant-based butter and the yeast mixture, stirring until it forms a soft dough. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth, then cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Roll Out and Add Filling: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface to a large rectangle, roughly 12 by 16 inches. Spread melted plant-based butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon spice generously across the top. Carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, sealing the edges.
Arrange in Cast Iron Skillet: Slice the rolled log into thick rounds about 2 inches each. Grease your cast iron skillet lightly with plant-based butter and arrange the rolls snugly inside, leaving a bit of space to allow for rising. Cover the skillet and let the rolls rise again for 30-40 minutes until puffy.
Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F, then bake the skillet rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the centers are cooked through. If you notice the tops browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
Prepare the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, mix powdered sugar (plant-based) with grape juice (natural) and softened plant-based butter. Add a small amount of natural gelling agent to thicken for spoonable consistency. Adjust to your desired sweetness and thickness.
Frost and Serve: Once the Giant Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll is out of the oven, let it cool slightly before drizzling or spreading the frosting thickly over the warm rolls. Serve warm for the best experience the frosting will melt slightly into the swirls, creating a sticky, sweet treat.

Notes

Warm your liquids to activate yeast without killing it.
Allow the dough to rise fully for light, airy rolls.
Roll dough tightly for compact cinnamon sugar spirals.
Monitor baking time to avoid drying out the rolls.
Adjust natural gelling agent to achieve desired frosting thickness.

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 320
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 160mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: giant cinnamon roll, plant-based cinnamon roll, cast iron skillet cinnamon roll, vegan cinnamon roll, easy cinnamon roll recipe, one-pan cinnamon roll