Does anyone know what today is?
Well, besides Thursday, and the day I scrubbed sticky BBQ sauce off 100% of the surfaces in my kitchen after throwing an impromptu rib smoking party yesterday afternoon?
It’s opening day of the Iowa State Fair! 
The fair is kind of a big deal ’round these parts. Not only is it one of the largest state fairs in the country, attracting over 1,000,000 visitors each year, but it even made the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die book (which I highlight and bookmark after crossing things off, like a nerd.)
Ben and I head out to the fair at least once every single year, indulging in once-a-year-corndogs for her, and squeaky cheese curds for him, but this year I’m flyin’ solo, at least for the first visit, to help judge the Tone’s Cinnamon Roll Competition this afternoon!
Contestants will enter their homemade rolls in one of three categories: Sticky (caramel roll with or without nuts), Plain (cinnamon roll, frosted or unfrosted), or Non-Traditional (use your imagination!), which I will unselfishly sink my teeth into, because it is my job. 
In honor of the competition, I compiled 4 of the best cinnamon roll recipes I’ve made over the years here on IGE, which are perfect to whip up on a weekend morning. From the cutest mini cinnamon rolls, to rolls that don’t require any yeast to make – hopefully you can find a recipe here you’ll love!
8 Minute Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Made with crescent roll dough and drizzled with a to-die for homemade Maple Icing, I can’t decide what I like best about these cinnamon rolls – their unbeatable taste, adorable mini size, or the fact that they take 8 minutes to bake! (Psst: use Pillsbury’s crescent roll dough sheets to bake them even faster!)
Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls
There’s not much else to say about the Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls besides they are one of the best things I have ever eaten. Sweet, decadent, over-the-top PERFECTION. If I wanted to impress someone, I’d make them these rolls!
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls hold a special place in my heart. Not only did they help me conquer my fear of using yeast, but they are absolutely unforgettable. Squishy, chewy, and spiked with a Fall favorite – pumpkin!
No-Yeast Required Cinnamon Rolls
A yeast-based cinnamon roll dough is hard to beat, but if you just don’t have the time to knead, rest, roll & slice – make these No-Yeast Required Cinnamon Rolls instead. Flaky and almost biscuit-like, they are ridiculously rich, decadent, and positively dah-ripping with luscious cream cheese icing. THE. BEST!
~~~~~
What’s your favorite way to start the weekend?
Pin this post! 
I am reminded of Christmas morning every time I smell a freshly baked cinnamon roll! Love the minis.
Fun! The Wisconsin State Fair, home of all things deep-fried & on a stick, is going on right now too. I’ve actually never been & it’s not looking like I’ll make it this year either.
These look so yummy! I am going to have to save the recipe for the pumpkin rolls for an early morning football game!!
I wanted to share a tip with you that I have used many times when making cinnamon rolls and that is to cut the dough with unflavored dental floss. Just place a long piece of the dental floss on the underside of the cinnamon roll log, in between the dough and the cutting board. Then pull the sides of the floss up and cross them over the top of the rolls. This cuts the dough as you pull the ends of the floss, and doesn’t smash the rolls and the dough doesn’t stick to the knife.
Have fun at the fair today, Kristin! We are going Sun. That may be the only day we go this year, which is very unusual for us. How will I be able to feed my face w/ all of my fave fair foods in only 1 day? Somehow I think I will manage…
(Corn dog & cheese curds are high on my list too.)
Oh helloooo! My mouth is watering at the thought of an ooey gooey cinnamon roll. Enjoy judging! I must admit, I am little bit jealous.
Those pumpkin cinnamon rolls look so yummy! We are headed out to the WI State Fair this weekend. I am so excited!
I just wanted to let you know that this post was torture. I’m practically drooling. Hahah!
I agree with the others–it was torture reading this!! All I want now is a giant cinnamony gooey cinnamon roll!
I’m going to the Iowa State Fair for the first time on Saturday! I’m so excited, especially since the weather is supposed to be gorgeous!! I’m looking forward to eating one of the infamous foods on a stick
I really need to buy a mini muffin tin to make all these adorable and delicious recipes!
How fun! I have to say I have tried the Pioneer Woman recipe and thought it was too butter-y. I really want to try the minis, they are so cute!
The best part of making cinnamon rolls is the way they make almost your entire house smell!! In the winter I even buy candles that are “cinnamon roll” scent. Those pumpkin ones are definitely next on my list!
I thought the mini rolls were amazing until I saw the word pumpkin!
You’re judging a cinnamon roll competition?!
There are no words to describe how jealous I am right now. NO WORDS.
Awe. I wish we were coming to Iowa this year for the fair. Too fun!
Those cinnamon rolls look wicked awesome… gotta try the pumpkin ones this fall.
I am oddly excited about hearing the results of this cinnamon roll competition. I hope you do a post on that
Until then I may have to stick with the mini cinnamon rolls since they seem like the quickest recipe (and thus fastest way to get cinnamon rolls into my mouth!)
I love the Iowa State Fair! Although it was at that fair 20 years ago that I visited one of the barns with the cattle and decided I couldn’t eat red meat anymore. I hope you enjoy your visit to the fair as much as I’m going to enjoy trying out all of those cinnamon roll recipes.
The California State Fair prides itself on what new things it can deep fry every year. A cinnamon roll competition sounds sooo amazing! Lucky you!
Kristin, are you blogging full-time now? You seem to be doing a lot more fun cooking/other fun activities during the day
OMG! I am so happy/jealous at the same time! Have fun and please report back on your findings. I absolutely love your blog and read it every day. Thank you for sharing with us!
Now I wish I was able to get off work to watch the competition! My mom has been entering for over 10 years into the Tone’s contest and finally this year she was the big winner! I hope you were able to taste her rolls!
State Fairs are the best! I’m flying down Texas (from Maryland) for the State Fair next month! And I guess to celebrate my birthday/see family. But the Fair. That’s the real reason
So GLAD you included the Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls. They are Totally worth all the work to make them! My family talks about them for weeks each time I make them!!!
They all look amazing!! Those Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls look like pure heaven! Maybe for a special occasion I’ll have to substitute the healthy diet.
I totally highlight and date things in our 1000 Places book too! And gooey goodness..I’m craving a cinnamon roll now.
The Iowa State Fair and cinnamon rolls…two of my favorite things on Earth! Can’t wait to try all 4 recipes!
I make your cini mini’s all the time! My adult children really like them and I nibble on them throughout the day! Shame on me!
Have fun at the fair. Your Alaska pic reminded me of so many wonderful excursions long ago and one of them was the state fair, which we loved!
As a fellow Iowan it has ALWAYS been my DREAM to be a judge for the cinnamon rolls!! You left out that these are $1000 prizes we are dealing with! This means business!!! Enjoy all of ooey gooey-ness!!
I’m craving for rolls ATM — those looks yummy-licious!!!
I love Iowa State Fair… it’s one of the most awaiting event for me each year. Me and hubby always at least 2x including the first day. We did so much walking, looking, ooh’ing, and eating yesterday that up to now my legs are sore. There’s so much more to see… can’t wait to return next week.
I’ve never had a cinnamon roll before! How exciting- I would love to be a food judge
haha.
[...] Iowa Girl Eats rounds up four excellent cinnamon roll recipes [...]
Cinnamon rolls are probably my guiltiest pleasure!!!
[...] Iowa Girl Eats rounds up four excellent cinnamon roll recipes [...]