Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls
If you love peanut butter, then these Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls will be a new favorite! Topped with a whipped peanut butter frosting, these rolls are a tasty breakfast or dessert!
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These Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls have been a long time in the making. 3 years ago (wow, time flies), Laura and I were sitting back enjoying a slice of this No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie. She commented that the peanut butter filling used in that pie would make an excellent frosting for cinnamon buns. I looked at her like she was off her rocker. Cinnamon buns? With Peanut Butter? She told me that Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls are one of the tried-and-true menu items at Mrs. Groves in her hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
I had cinnamon rolls from Mrs. Groves on one of our trips back to Altoona, and Laura’s right. That place is amazing! Mrs. Groves has it figured out. She’s only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and her popular items sell out regularly. In fact, Laura made the trip over early one morning just to make sure we got some cinnamon rolls. I opted for the traditional icing on my cinnamon roll, but Laura and her sisters often opt for the peanut butter icing. I must say the combination is delicious! Unexpected, but delicious.
Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls
Peanut Butter Cinnamon RollsAt the time, I made a note to make cinnamon rolls using that peanut butter filling. I have no idea what happened, but somehow 3 years went by. Wait, I think I do know what happened. It involves a 3-year old named Robbie. Either way, these cinnamon rolls finally made an appearance, and I’m glad they did. Holy cow are these things delicious!
If you love peanut butter (or have family/friends who love peanut butter), then this recipe is for you! These rolls are packed with peanut butter. Instead of butter in the dough, I used peanut butter. Then more peanut butter gets spread onto the dough as a filling. Then of course there’s the whipped peanut butter frosting on top. I absolutely love cinnamon rolls, and I’ve had fun lately playing with different variations. For this version, I opted for gigantic. Imagine the biggest cinnamon roll ever. Then imagine that cinnamon roll topped with a creamy whipped peanut butter frosting. That’s these Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls. (One of these rolls could easily serve 2 people…if you’re willing to share!)
Whipped Peanut Butter Frosting
Whipped Peanut Butter FrostingI’ve made several different peanut butter frostings over the years, but I have to say that Laura nailed it with the suggestion to use that pie filling as a frosting. It’s light and creamy thanks to the whipped topping, and it spreads perfectly onto rolls. There’s also a bit of cream cheese in this frosting for structure and taste. I suspect this would be a fun frosting for a cake, although the cake would have to be refrigerated thanks to the whipped topping. Heck, I suspect this frosting would be delicious in a bowl by itself. Actually, I know this to be true. Don’t ask why I know this. Let’s just say I speak from experience. I hope you enjoy these Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls as much as we do! Happy baking!
Did you make a batch of these Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!
Looking for more tasty recipes with peanut butter? Check out these other favorites, too:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bread
Chocolate-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Radio Bars
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Baked Chocolate Peanut Butter Donuts
Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup milk
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- 3¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
For the Filling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
For the Frosting
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1½ cups frozen whipped topping thawed (~4 oz.)
Instructions
For the Dough
- Using either microwave or small saucepan, heat milk until warm. (Note: The milk should only be lukewarm, not hot.)
- Stir yeast into warm milk; let stand for 5 minutes.
- Using an electric mixer, add the flour, sugar and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add eggs and milk/yeast mixture; stir until well combined.
- Add peanut butter. Mix on low speed until well combined. Increase speed to medium and mix for 4-5 more minutes.
- Grease a large bowl with butter or oil. Place dough in bowl and cover with towel. Let sit in warm spot until doubled in size (~1 hour).
- Working on a lightly floured surface, fold dough several times and then let sit for 15 more minutes (covered).
For the Filling
- Using a medium mixing bowl, add both sugars and cinnamon; stir until well combined. Set mixture aside.
- Working on a well-floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 10”x16”.
- Spread the peanut butter evenly on top of dough and then brush the top of the peanut butter with the melted butter. Sprinkle top with cinnamon/sugar mixture.
- Roll dough into a cylinder, pressing edges to seal.
- Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 8 pieces.
- Place cut rolls onto a greased baking pan leaving a lot of room between them to grow. (Note: I used 2 baking pans for 8 rolls. You could also slice this dough into 16 smaller rolls, but you’ll need to reduce the baking time slightly.)
- Cover pan lightly and leave in warm spot until approximately doubled in size. (~40 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bake rolls for 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown in color.
For the Frosting
- While rolls are baking, use a handheld mixer to beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar.
- Add peanut butter; beat until well-combined.
- Add whipped topping; beat until well combined.
- Let rolls cool slightly before spreading frosting on top.
Oh, I am loving the sound of this delicious combination. I am so obsessed with peanut butter in sweets at the moment! And combined with the cinnamon rolls? I am so intrigued and loving the idea! Definitely, one to make very soon.
The salty + sweet combination of peanut butter in desserts is so darned addicting! I love it. And this whipped peanut butter frosting has appeared in more ways that you know around here. It’s a good one! Thanks so much, Alex!!
Oh yum! What a brilliant idea! Love the peanut butter in these rolls, and that peanut butter frosting is everything!
Peanut butter frosting is a magical thing, Kelly! This version is so easy to make, and, yes, you literally can eat it with a spoon…just promise me some of it will make it to the cinnamon rolls, ok? Haha!
Going to have to try this soon. Thought you would like to check this out https://www.lulusbakeryandcafe.com/cinnamon-rolls/
Go Steelers!
A 3-pound cinnamon roll!? Now why haven’t I heard about that one before? I totally need one of those. Except the only problem is I’ll probably eat the whole thing in one sitting. I have a serious weakness when it comes to all things cinnamon roll! Thanks, Susan! Oh, and Go Saints! 🙂
oh yum oh yum oh yum! david you have me drooling here. i loooove peanut butter in a filling or a frosting or whatever – something about mixing it with sugar (and chocolate if possible!) Irresistible!! cheers S (going to wipe off the drool).
I totally agree with you about peanut butter in desserts, Sherry! That sweet and salty combination is so good! These cinnamon rolls didn’t last long around our house…and that frosting? It really is good enough to eat with a spoon!
PB Cinnamon rolls? Like, whoa! These sound seriously good, David. I mean, who doesn’t love a good cinnamon roll, but then through pb into the mix? Now you’re talking! I bet these smell and taste as good as they look. Perfect for weekend brunch and I can’t wait to try 🙂 Pinned! Happy weekend ahead, my friend!
Oh these PB cinnamon rolls really are good for a lazy weekend brunch. Of course, there’s no such thing as lazy weekend mornings anymore thanks to a certain almost-4-year-old. (He was up at 5:30 on Sunday asking if it was time to get up yet. Umph!)
I think you know I’m a peanut butter fanatic. . .which means I’ll be making these, like, yesterday. How have I never frosted cinnamon rolls with pb? My mind is blown. These look SO GOOD!
Yup, I am well aware that you single-handedly keep the peanut butter business afloat. 🙂 (Just kidding!) But I’m not kidding when I say that you need to make these PB Cinnamon Rolls…like ASAP. Hope you had a great weekend, my friend!
Peanut butter rolls? How awesome! For a second I thought you just used peanut butter as the filling. Nope – you also incorporated it in the dough and made this splendid cream cheese peanut frosting. I’m speechless. That’s heaven for peanut butter lovers! 🙂
Nope, there is peanut butter all over the place in this recipe, Ben! The flavor really shines through, and it’s definitely heaven for PB lovers. 🙂
Now that’s a way to change up a classic! My kids do love peanut butter so you know they’d be all over these! 🙂
I know you’re not a PB fan yourself, Kathy, but I do think the kids would help you polish off a batch of these. 🙂
Just when you think it can’t get better than cinnamon rolls (or pumpkin cinnamon rolls!), this shows up. YUM!!! 🙂 ~Valentina
Tell me about it, Valentina! I love a good cinnamon roll, and I also love putting a good twist on ’em, too. This PB version is quite delicious!
Wow. Instead of butter in the dough you used peanut butter? I bet that tastes amazing. As a fan of peanut butter who couldn’t love this recipe? Especially too with that whipped topping! Send me one of these cinnamon rolls now please. 🙂
Oh, these cinnamon rolls are downright delicious, Neil! If you love peanut butter, then you absolutely need to put these on the menu sometime soon. I’d send you a couple of ours…but, well…they’re all gone. Haha!
Wow, peanut butter explosion! I’d happily eat one of these any day of the week!
Heck yeah! If you’re a peanut butter fan, then these PB cinnamon rolls need to appear on your breakfast plate…or dessert plate…or snack plate…you get the point! Thanks, Matt!
Very good! Made exactly to the directions and they were gobbled up quickly.
Thanks, Chris! Glad you enjoyed these!
I am from Altoona, PA…Mrs. Groves is the best! Sadly, they have closed due to the pandemic. I am excited to try your peanut butter frosting!
Hey Mandi! Laura told me the other day that Mrs. Groves had closed up shop – and it sounds like permanently? We were in Altoona a month or so ago, but we weren’t venturing out too much due to the pandemic. Either way, give these cinnamon rolls a shot! I can’t say they are exactly like Mrs. Groves (I never had her PB Cinnamon Roll), but Laura said they were very similar. I can say that these are quite tasty. Let me know what you think once you make a batch! 🙂
Mrs Groves is sooo good! Sadly they permanently closed. I will have to give these a try
I couldn’t agree more, Paula! I only had the chance to eat Mrs Groves a couple of times, but my wife grew up in Altoona and raves about them to this day. I just recently heard they had closed up permanently – so sad. I certainly don’t have their recipes, but Laura (my wife) said these are very reminiscent of the PB Cinnamon Rolls from Mrs. Groves. You’ll have to let me know what you think! Happy baking!
I love reading about Mrs. Groves aka Mrs. Smiths bakery shop. She was my teacher way back in the day and she would always asked if we would like to order something from her bakery. We would pay for it and she would bring the treats in the next morning. My favorite and still is her peanut butter cinnamon rolls. I’m actually going to the store to make this recipe.
Hey Chasity! That’s so cool that Mrs. Groves was your teacher. I would probably have ordered something every time she offered. 🙂 I’ve only had the opportunity to have her cinnamon rolls once (maybe twice?), but my wife says they were a staple in her house growing up. While this recipe isn’t designed to be a copycat, it does channel the Mrs. Groves’ vibe. I hope you enjoy this recipe! It’s been a while since we’ve made it here in our house, but the holidays feel like a good time to make this again, right?? 🙂