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Cinnamon Roll Not Done in the Middle [5 Reasons & Solutions]

Cinnamon rolls are delicious baked goods widely loved in various parts of the world. During the festive season, nothing shouts holiday spirit like some cinnamon! The aroma of sugary cinnamon and soft dough lingering in your kitchen makes everyone drool. 

It is tough to hit the jackpot with cinnamon rolls every single time. Especially for baking newbies, it may take a couple of tries before finally getting it right. One common problem people face with cinnamon rolls is the undone middle.

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Cinnamon Rolls Not Done in the Middle?

There are many reasons why your cinnamon rolls is not done in the middle. Some of these reasons include the amount of flour, yeast disproportion, etc. You can create the perfect cinnamon rolls with the correct heat and temperature. Additionally, spreading the crust evenly helps too. 

Please don’t panic when you take your cinnamon rolls out of the oven and see the middle is underdone. You can still salvage them!

Additionally, we have listed 5 problems that cause cinnamon rolls to be undone in the middle. And we’ve helped you out by giving you a solution for each! Continue reading to learn more. 

Salvaging Unddone Cinnamon Rolls [Stepwise Guide]

It is a common mistake for people to take out the cinnamon rolls when they are underdone.

It is not easy, especially for beginners, to get baking cinnamon rolls right. Getting your cinnamon rolls hot, fluffy, and smooth takes some practice. 

Please don’t be disheartened; your only solution is not to toss them in the trash can. Instead, you can salvage them!

You can use the underdone cinnamon rolls and still create delicious baked treats.

So, how can we do this?

  • Step 1: Cut your semi-baked, raw cinnamon rolls and shred them.
  • Step 2: Take out your muffin tray and grease it. Once you’ve greased it, place the shredded cinnamon rolls in the tray.
  • Step 3: Next, cut a piece of tin foil and loosely place it on top of the tray. This helps keep the rolls soft and prevents them from crisping up too much.
  • Step 4: Now, it’s time to bake. Pop the tray in the oven at 170 degrees Celsius/ 338 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.

Follow this simple stepwise guide to make some delicious mini-baked treats! 

Reasons for Cinnamon Roll Not Done in the Middle

Baking can be a tiring and lengthy process. It feels worth your time and effort when your baked treats look great. But what if they don’t? We understand how frustrating that can be! 

Baking cinnamon rolls has many aspects you must get right to achieve the best results. To ensure well-baked cinnamon rolls, getting the temperature right and adding the correct proportions of ingredients are essential.

The amount of each ingredient you use, the way you roll the dough, and the oven setting you bake it all play a crucial role during the baking process. Please ensure that you’re following your cookbook’s steps precisely.

There is more than one reason your cinnamon rolls aren’t finished in the middle. We’ve enlisted 5 reasons that could cause your rolls to be undone at the center. We’ve also given a solution for each of these problems, so you to avoid them!

1. Not Choosing the ideal temperature and time

One of the most crucial aspects of baking is getting the oven setting right. You need to figure out the best temperature and duration that gives you the best results.

The same applies to cinnamon rolls. If you don’t bake them at the right temperature for the right time, chances are they won’t be done in the middle. About 380 degrees F or 195 degrees C is the ideal temperature to bake cinnamon rolls at. 

Solution

Using a thermometer, you can ensure that your cinnamon rolls are baking at the right temperature. This way, you can accurately measure the internal temperature of your rolls.

We’ve got some recommendations if you don’t have a cooking thermometer. Check out our top picks! 

Product Where To Get
Etekcity Infrared ThermometerGet Now!
Alpha Grillers Instant Read ThermometerGet Now!

Next is figuring out how much time is sufficient for your cinnamon rolls to bake. The duration of baking depends on your personal preference.

If you like your cinnamon rolls to be softer and moister, a 25-minute period is a good time. On the other hand, if you like them a bit drier, you can stick them in the oven for 5 extra minutes.

One thing about baking cinnamon rolls the correct way is ensuring that the top of the rolls doesn’t burn.

We recommend covering them with tinfoil if you see them starting to burn. But if you’re planning to have cinnamon rolls and chili, you might want them slightly burnt on top.

Please keep in mind that if you let your oven heat up too much during the preheating, the rolls will turn brown faster. So, it helps to remember this aspect in the baking process.

2. Not Adding Yeast Approriately

Yeast enhances the feel of dough by making it light and fluffy. But this only works when the yeast proportions are precise, or the yeast won’t work. 

What’s the solution?

If you’ve baked brownies, you know how important it is to know how many eggs to use. Similarly, it is necessary to know how much yeast is required to bake cinnamon rolls.

Please keep the temperature of milk and water at or below 150 degrees F. You can use a cooking thermometer to measure this temperature. The fluids should be warm when you dip your finger in to test the temperature. 

Hot liquid can kill the fermentation, and the dough won’t rise. So, please ensure the temperature is not high enough to deactivate the yeast’s activity. 

Purchasing high-quality yeast also makes all the difference during the baking process. Here are some of our top picks:

ProductWhere To Get
Red Star Gluten Free YeastGet Now! 
SAF Instant YeastGet Now!
Fleischmann’s Active Dry YeastGet Now!

3. Using excessive amounts of flour

We know how important it is to add the right ingredients while baking. You can’t add too much or too little, as it can affect the result.

It is possible to significantly alter the quality of your cinnamon roll by adding too much flour. Adding too much flour to the dough can make your cinnamon rolls too bready. On the other hand, not adding enough flour can make the dough loose, resulting in soggier rolls. Either of these can result in the middle being underdone.

What’s the solution?

It is essential to understand how to measure flour precisely. Here’s a tip: Only add a tablespoon of flour as you continue mixing the dough. This way, you can check the consistency without the risk of adding too much.

4. Dough isn’t thoroughly combined

A vital aspect of making dough for cinnamon rolls is correctly combining it. Making the dough too soft will result in cinnamon rolls that could be too chewy.

Please ensure not to excessively mix the dough as it could result in a lumpy texture. The lumps in the dough can cause your cinnamon rolls to be undone in the middle. 

What’s the solution?

Mix the ingredients into the dough precisely, and ensure that you don’t overdo the combining.

Please combine the dough just enough that it is smooth and not lumpy. There is a high chance of the middle of your cinnamon roll being undone if the crust is lumpy.

Are you wondering how you can tell whether your dough is sufficiently mixed? Please start by combining the dough.

You know it is at a good consistency when it quickly pulls off from the bowl’s inner surface. Once you see this, you know your dough has been sufficiently mixed.

5. The thickness of the rolls are uneven

Source: jennycancook.com

Did you ever think that the thickness at which you make the rolls can affect the result? Well, that’s the thing about baking; every little thing can potentially make a difference.

One mistake while preparing cinnamon rolls is rolling the outer parts too thick and leaving the inner part thin. This is another crucial reason why your cinnamon rolls are underdone.

What’s the solution?

First, ensure you’ve used your rolling pin to roll out the dough uniformly. It is best to roll the crust to a half-inch thickness for soft cinnamon rolls.

If you want crispier cinnamon rolls, you can roll them out to thinner than a half-inch thickness. Cinnamon rolls must pop in the middle and rest for a bit after being rolled.

One tip is to place the rolls at a 2-inch gap from the baking tray. This gives your cinnamon rolls enough space to bake evenly and rise, cooking it well in the center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you determine your cinnamon roll is done?

You can use a fork or skewer to tell whether your cinnamon roll is done. All you need to do is use the pointy end to check the center of the rolls. If the fork or skewer remains dry and clean on sticking it in the center, it’s entirely done. However, if there is some loose dough or crust, the rolls could use more time in the oven.

What if the cinnamon rolls don’t rise?

Well-baked cinnamon rolls should rise. Cinnamon rolls need to form air pockets and rise. This gives them a fluffy feel and a smooth texture. Cinnamon rolls that do not rise while baking does not taste as satisfying. They are stiffer and aren’t as savory. 

Is it hazardous to consume underdone cinnamon rolls?

Yes, it is not safe to eat undercooked cinnamon rolls. Raw dough that contains ingredients like eggs and flour can cause abdominal distress. A raw egg could contain bacteria like E. coli and can be dangerous when consumed raw. 

So, it is essential to ensure that baked treats such as cakes, bread, and cinnamon rolls are cooked thoroughly.

Conclusion 

We’ve reached the end of the post! We hope you’ve found the answer if you were wondering why your cinnamon rolls aren’t done in the middle. As we’ve discussed, five common reasons that cause the middle to be underdone. 

When it comes to baking, it is best to always stick to the instructions given in recipes. The temperature, baking duration, and quantity of each ingredient play a crucial role in the result. So, please make sure you’ve been precise.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for our next post!

Susan Wilson

My name is Susan and I am the person behind this blog. My mission is to help you become a better cook and start cooking like a pro! Here we talk about our kitchen adventures – good or bad- so you can laugh or two about it. So let the journey of mastering the ART OF COOKING begin.