Mini Date Cinnamon Rolls Copycat Recipe — Sweet Iftar Treat
Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls stuffed with sweet date paste and warm spices — these mini beauties are the perfect way to break your fast or end any meal. They're rich, fragrant, and impossibly tender straight from the oven. One batch fills your home with the kind of aroma that stops everyone in their tracks.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- all-purpose flour 2 cups
- whole milk 0.75 cup
- unsalted butter 3 tbsp
- sugar 2 tbsp
- active dry yeast 1 packet
- egg 1 piece
- date paste 0.75 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- cinnamon 1 tbsp
- cardamom 0.5 tsp
- salt 0.5 tsp
- vanilla extract 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
32 g
67%
Protein
4 g
8%
Fat
5 g
25%
Cooking steps
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1
Warm the milk in a small saucepan until just steaming (about 110°F); stir in 1 tbsp sugar and the yeast, then let foam for 5-10 minutes.
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2
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Melt the butter and whisk together with the egg and vanilla extract, then stir into the flour along with the milk-yeast mixture until a shaggy dough forms.
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3
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
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4
Roll the dough into a 10x12-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the date paste evenly across the dough, then sprinkle over cinnamon and cardamom. For closest match to the branded version, use a high-quality date paste for super smooth filling.
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5
Tightly roll up, starting from the shorter side. Slice into 8 mini rolls and arrange in a greased 8-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise 30 more minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F.
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6
Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden, puffed, and the kitchen smells incredible. Serve warm for ultimate tenderness—homemade really is better!
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this taste like the real Mini Date Cinnamon Rolls?
Yes! This copycat recipe produces tender, aromatic mini rolls that closely match the sweet, spiced flavor and pillowy texture of the celebrity version. Using quality date paste and a combo of cinnamon and cardamom in the filling is key—plus, baking them fresh gives a fluffy, superior texture.
Q. Is it cheaper to make Mini Date Cinnamon Rolls at home?
Definitely! By using grocery-store ingredients like flour, milk, and dates, you can make a whole tray for less than the price of two packages from the brand. Most components—flour, yeast, sugar—are pantry staples, and you get eight decadent rolls per batch.
Q. How does the nutrition compare to the store-bought version?
Each homemade mini roll has about 190 kcal, 32g carbs, 4g protein, and 5g fat. That’s similar to or slightly lighter than branded options, but with more real ingredients and no preservatives. Plus, you control the sugar and fats!
Q. Can I substitute the date paste or spices?
Absolutely! If you don’t have date paste, you can blend soft pitted dates with a splash of water. For spice, cinnamon is essential, but you can add more cardamom, swap for nutmeg, or skip the cardamom if preferred.
Q. How long do these homemade Mini Date Cinnamon Rolls last?
Kept in an airtight container at room temp, they stay soft for about 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month—just warm them before serving for best results.
