Gummy cinnamon rolls are usually underbaked. If the centers aren’t fully baked yet, they’ll stay sticky or doughy instead of soft and fluffy. In most cases, baking the cinnamon rolls a little longer next time solves the problem.
If you cut into your cinnamon rolls and the centers are still sticky, don’t worry.
This is usually a pretty easy problem to figure out.
Signs Your Cinnamon Rolls Are Gummy
Gummy cinnamon rolls often:
- have a sticky center
- seem doughy when you pull them apart
- stick to the knife when you cut them
- still feel wet in the middle
That’s different from cinnamon rolls that are dense, dry, or chewy, so those problems have their own causes and solutions.
If your cinnamon rolls are heavy throughout instead of sticky in the center, this article will be a better fit:
Why Are My Cinnamon Rolls Dense?
If they’re dry rather than gummy, start here:
Why Are My Cinnamon Rolls Dry?
If they’re chewy rather than sticky, start here:
Why Are My Cinnamon Rolls Tough?
Why Are My Cinnamon Rolls Gummy?
1. They Needed More Time in the Oven
This is the first thing I’d check.
Sometimes the tops are beautifully golden while the centers still need another minute or two.
I don’t decide my cinnamon rolls are done based only on color. I also make sure the centers are fully baked by pressing on the top of the rolls and looking for resistance.
2. You Cut Into Them Too Soon
Fresh cinnamon rolls continue to settle for a few minutes after they come out of the oven.
If you cut into them immediately, the centers can seem much softer than they actually are.
If I have time, I let them cool for a few minutes before serving. But sometimes breakfast is ready and everyone is waiting. Just know they’ll seem softer right out of the oven than they will a few minutes later.
If the centers are still sticky after they’ve had a chance to cool slightly, they probably needed a little more time in the oven.
Can You Fix Gummy Cinnamon Rolls?
Sometimes.
If you discover they’re still gummy while they’re hot, you can usually return the pan to the oven for a few more minutes.
If they’ve already cooled completely, there’s not much you can do to change the texture.
I’d still frost them and serve them. Then the next time, leave them in the oven a little longer.
How to Prevent Gummy Cinnamon Rolls
If your cinnamon rolls came out gummy, these are the first things I’d check:
- Were the centers were fully baked?
- Did you let them cool for a few minutes before cutting into them?
- Were you judging them by color instead of checking the center?
Usually one of those answers explains what happened.
If the centers are fully baked but the cinnamon rolls are still heavy, the problem may actually be underproofing instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the time, they’re simply underbaked. The centers needed a little more time in the oven.
Yes. If they’re still hot, you can usually return them to the oven for a few more minutes.
If they’re still sticky after cooling for a few minutes, they probably weren’t fully baked.
No.
Gummy cinnamon rolls have a sticky or doughy center. Dense cinnamon rolls are heavy throughout and are usually caused by a different problem.
Why Are My Cinnamon Rolls Dense?
Looking for a Cinnamon Roll Recipe?
Once you’ve solved the problem, try my Fresh Milled Cinnamon Rolls recipe. It includes the techniques and tips I use to make soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls with 100% fresh-milled flour.
What to Read Next
If you’re troubleshooting cinnamon rolls, these articles may also help: