Wake up to the irresistible aroma of homemade cinnamon rolls that rival your favorite bakery with this spot-on Panera copycat recipe. What sets these apart from ordinary cinnamon rolls is the signature orange extract frosting that adds a bright, citrusy twist to the classic sweet treat. With their pillowy-soft texture, rich cinnamon-sugar swirl, and that distinctive orange-scented glaze, these rolls transform any weekend morning into a special occasion worth savoring slowly with your favorite cup of coffee.
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Table of Contents
What makes Panera Cinnamon Rolls so good?
While countless cinnamon roll recipes exist, Panera’s version stands out thanks to one unexpected ingredient: orange extract in the frosting. This subtle citrus note elevates the entire experience, providing a bright contrast to the rich, buttery sweetness of the rolls themselves. Unlike cream cheese frostings that can overwhelm, this lighter glaze complements rather than competes, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile that explains why these rolls have such a devoted following.
Why you’ll love this Panera Bread Cinnamon Roll recipe
The success of these cinnamon rolls lies in the careful balance of technique and ingredients. Using the right milk temperature activates the yeast properly, while the extended kneading develops the gluten structure needed for that characteristic soft, pillowy texture. The filling ratio ensures every bite has the perfect amount of cinnamon sweetness, and the orange extract frosting provides the signature finish that makes these unmistakably Panera.
Panera Cinnamon Rolls ingredientsFor the Dough:
- Whole milk – Creates tender crumb and rich flavor when warmed to activate yeast
- White granulated sugar – Feeds yeast and adds sweetness to the dough structure
- Active dry yeast – Provides lift and creates the characteristic airy texture
- Large eggs – Add richness, color, and help bind ingredients together
- Unsalted butter – Contributes flavor and creates tender, flaky layers
- Bread flour – Higher protein content creates stronger gluten for better structure
- Salt – Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- Dark brown sugar – Provides deep molasses flavor and moisture
- Unsalted butter – Creates rich, spreadable filling that melts into layers
- Ground cinnamon – Essential warm spice that defines the classic flavor
For the Orange Extract Frosting:
- Whole milk – Adjusts consistency to perfect spreadable texture
- Powdered sugar – Creates smooth, sweet base that spreads beautifully
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and helps create proper consistency
- Vanilla extract – Provides aromatic depth and classic bakery flavor
- Orange extract – Panera’s secret ingredient that creates a signature citrus note
How to make Panera Cinnamon Rolls
To prepare the dough:
- In a small pan, warm the milk over low heat until it reaches about 105°F or just over body temperature. Using an instant-read thermometer is worth it because you don’t want the milk to be too hot.
- Whisk about a teaspoon of sugar into the warm milk and sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Wait until the milk starts to foam. If there is no reaction after ten minutes, the yeast probably expires, and you should restart the recipe with fresh yeast.
- Pour the warm milk with activated yeast into the bowl of a stand mixer and add the remaining cinnamon roll dough ingredients. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can get it by using a large mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.
- With a dough hook attachment, mix the dough for 5 to 7 minutes to combine everything. The dough will still be sticky, but you shouldn’t see any patches of dry ingredients.
- Use a dough scraper to help transfer the dough into a large, greased mixing bowl.
- Lightly grease the top of the dough and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Place the bowl in a warm place in your kitchen and allow the dough to double. It will take an hour or more.
To prepare the cinnamon rolls:
- Use the beater attachment of a stand mixer at medium speed to incorporate the dark brown sugar, softened unsalted butter, and ground cinnamon. Place aside.
- Once the dough doubles in size, remove the cover and punch it down. Let the dough rest for five minutes.
- Lightly flour your work surface and use a bowl scraper to transfer the deflated and rested dough onto it.
- Roll the dough into a 15 X 30-inch rectangle. If the dough contracts when you roll it out, let it rest for a few more minutes and try again.
- Spread the cinnamon brown sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough up from the bottom. Seal the seam by pinching it together.
- Cut the dough into 12 even pieces with a serrated knife.
- Lightly grease a baking tray or line it with parchment paper. Place the cinnamon rolls on it, leaving space between each. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for half an hour.
To bake and finish the cinnamon rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Put the baking tray of rolls in the oven and cook until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
- Take the cinnamon rolls out of the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking tray for 10 minutes.
- While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, salt, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Add just enough whole milk to the mixture to make the icing spreadable.
Alternate frosting – For a more decadent topping, make cream cheese icing instead.
- Top the cinnamon rolls with the icing.
- Serve and enjoy!
What to serve Cinnamon Rolls with
What’s better than eating a fresh Panera Cinnamon Roll? Enjoying the best cinnamon rolls with one of these ideal sides:
- A hot beverage. Coffee, preferably a dark roast or perhaps a cup of strong black tea, is the perfect side. The bitterness of the beverages works well with the sweetness of the cinnamon roll.
- Fresh fruit. Slightly sour fruit like strawberries or raspberries can help balance a cinnamon roll’s heaviness.
- Granola. Sprinkle some granola over a cinnamon roll to add a satisfying crunch.
Cinnamon rolls are great for special breakfasts and desserts too.
How to store copycat Panera Cinnamon Rolls
This Panera Cinnamon Roll recipe makes a lot of rolls, but you don’t have to eat them all at once. They will keep in an airtight container on the counter for up to five days or freeze for up to a month. Take them out of the freezer and defrost them overnight in the refrigerator to reheat the next day.
What is the best way to warm up a cinnamon roll?
If you are in a rush, you can wrap a cinnamon roll loosely with a damp paper towel and nuke it for 20 seconds, but for warm and crispy rolls, use the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the cinnamon rolls on a baking tray and sprinkle a tablespoon of water over each cinnamon roll to prevent them from drying out.
- Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil and heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
Panera Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Extract Frosting
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 1 cup milk lukewarm (110°F)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast or 1 packet (1/4 ounce) Red Star Platinum Yeast
- 1 teaspoon + 1/2 cup sugar divided use
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
- 4 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (Saigon cinnamon is preferred)
Cinnamon Roll Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- To make the cinnamon roll dough: Heat the milk, ensuring that it does not exceed 110°F. Add the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the milk and wait a few minutes for the mixture to become foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
- Place the milk in the bowl of a stand mixer with the eggs, butter, flour, salt, and the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar. Mix to combine. Use the dough hook attachment to knead the dough for about 5 to 7 minutes. The dough should be very sticky.
- Grease a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Spray some nonstick cooking spray on top of the dough and cover the bowl with a towel. Set the bowl in a warm place and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size. Depending on the temperature of your house, this could take between 60 and 90 minutes. When doubled, punch down the dough and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- To make the cinnamon roll filling: Combine the brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until this becomes a paste. Set aside.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 15×20-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon roll filling evenly over the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll up the dough and pinch the edge to seal. Cut the dough into 12 segments.
- Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Place the dough slices in the pan, cover with a towel, and allow the cinnamon rolls to rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown and the center rolls are cooked through. Your time may vary, depending on how thick the rolls are. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- To make the cinnamon roll icing: Combine the powdered sugar, salt, butter, vanilla, and orange extract in a small bowl and mix well. Add just enough milk or cream to make the frosting spreadable, about 2 to 3 tablespoons. Spread the icing onto the cinnamon rolls.
Nutrition
More Panera copycat recipes
- Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
- Panera Autumn Squash Soup
- Panera Apple Raisin Muffins
- Panera Fuji Apple Salad Dressing
- Panera Mediterranean Bowl
- Panera Turkey Chili
Recipes for cinnamon lovers
- Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Coffee
- Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie
- Domino’s Cinnastix
- IHOP Cinnastack
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks
Check out my easy bread recipes and the best copycat Panera Bread recipes here on CopyKat!
Unlike Panera, you can enjoy these while they are still warm.