Mashed Potato Cinnamon Rolls

4.96 from 124 votes

Mashed potatoes are the secret ingredient to making these absolutely super fluffy and airy cinnamon rolls with the perfect flavor and texture!

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Rising Time45

Total Time1 25

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Tiffany Azure

Ingredients

2 cups hot milk
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup finely mashed potatoes (see note)
2 teaspoons salt
4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packets)
½ cup warm water
2 eggs lightly beaten
7 - 8 ½ cups flour

Filling

4 tablespoons butter softened
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Frosting

2 ounces cream cheese softened
2 tablespoons butter softened
5 tablespoons milk
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Place the 1/2 cup butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl. Pour hot milk over butter. Add sugar, mashed potatoes, and salt. Allow to cool slightly while you do the next step.
Dissolve yeast in the 1/2 cup warm water. Add to milk mixture with eggs and 4 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth and well blended.
Add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough forms. When dough comes together, transfer to a clean, well-floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes by hand. Place in a lightly greased large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet or large casserole dish.
Roll dough into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. For the filling, spread the softened butter onto the dough. Mix together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough. Tightly roll one long side to the other long side and pinch the seam to seal. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut into about 16 sections.
Place sections swirl-side-up/down onto your greased casserole dish or baking sheet. (see note) Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Prepare the frosting. Cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla and mix again for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Drizzle or spread over warm cinnamon rolls and serve.

Notes

For the mashed potatoes - You can use instant potatoes, or homemade. For homemade mashed potatoes: if you don't heavily season your mashed potatoes you can use a cup of leftovers. If you do season your potatoes (salt, pepper, garlic, etc) then it's best to think ahead and simply reserve a cup of the freshly mashed potatoes before you season them!

If you choose to bake the rolls in a casserole dish (like pictured), they will require a little more baking time than if you bake them on a baking sheet where they aren't touching.

Nutrition