13 Recipes That Use Frozen Bread Dough But Taste Totally Homemade (2024)

Shh … no one needs to know that each of these recipes using frozen bread dough are semi-homemade! From sweet frozen bread dough recipes like monkey bread and cinnamon rolls to savory things to make with frozen bread dough such as pretzels and cheesy rolls, these are the bread recipes for you if you don't feel like fussing with yeast or sourdough starter. Just thaw, prep, and bake, and the frozen bread dough recipes will rise to the occasion.

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Bacon-Caramel Rolls

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Next time you're hosting brunch for—or delivering treats to—a crew with some members on Team Sweet and others on Team Savory, turn to this frozen bread dough recipe. It's like a mash-up of cinnamon roll and caramel-pecan roll, to please those with a strong sweet tooth, with a bonus dose of salty, crispy bacon to satisfy those who lean savory. And at the center of it all is two loaves of frozen, then thawed white or sweet roll dough.

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Multigrain Mustard Baguette

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Sometimes it's a good thing to be seedy. Case in point: Everyone will swear you started from scratch once you use a rolling pin to permeate the thawed frozen wheat dough with ½ cup of nuts and seeds. Then all that's left to do to complete this whole grain recipe using frozen bread dough is roll it into a baguette shape, allow it to rise, and brush with a dollop of Dijon mustard just before baking to give the nutty bread a bit of a bite.

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Cranberry-Orange Tea Ring

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Guests know you're pulling out all the stops when you serve a showy, sunshine-like tea ring! This cranberry-studded version is one of our best brunch breads ever according to BH&G editors, who swoon over its zippy orange glaze and the way the warm spices play so nicely with the salty pecans and sweet-tart cranberries. Plus, this just so happens to be one of the ultimate things to make with frozen bread dough if you're a planner; it starts with sweet roll dough and can be frozen up to 3 months ahead.

Maple-Cherry Stuffed Monkey Bread

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Many pull-apart recipes start with biscuits. But we're fond of this monkey bread recipe that's made with frozen bread dough because the slightly-sturdier wheat dough stands up beautifully next to the chewy, dried tart cherries and crunchy walnuts. All of the above are dressed up in a generous amount of maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon to ensure each bite delivers all of the same signature monkey bread finger-licking-good qualities that you remember from childhood.

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Checkerboard Rolls

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No sweat if you didn't thaw the dough overnight. For this recipe made with frozen bread dough, simply swirl pieces of dough (yes, straight from the freezer!) in melted butter. Then coat half of the buttered-up bread with seeds and lemon-pepper seasoning and the other half with cornmeal and Parmesan. Alternating them in the pan creates an artful checkerboard appearance.

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Chocolaty Butter-Nut Cinnamon Rolls

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Sometimes a real splurge is in order, and that's exactly what this decadent frozen bread dough recipe offers. It starts with a rich blend of whipping cream, powdered sugar, and mixed nuts, which lines the bottom of the pan and later becomes the topping. The filling features mixed nuts, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. But let's not forget about the finishing touch, a luscious chocolate drizzle that we suggest showering over the top of each cinnamon roll.

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Sweet and Savory Twist Bread

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Remember the drama around a certain celebrity who ordered a cinnamon-raisin bagel with cream cheese and lox? Well if you didn't think that was as preposterous as the internet commentators made it out to be, this might be the ready-made bread dough recipe for you. It's part savory and part sweet, thanks to nuts, raisins, and fresh rosemary which are studded in wheat and white bread dough. Together, these elements combine for two loaves of two-tone bread that are an irresistible addition to any meal.

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Cran-Sage Rolls

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No holiday menu feels complete without some sort of bread side. This recipe using frozen bread dough is among the most festive of them all, thanks to super-seasonal ingredients like dried cranberries, crystallized ginger, and snipped fresh sage. BH&G reader Cindy raves about the "honey-like sweetness," the crystallized ginger provides, and says these are "really good and tasty. My guests really enjoyed them! Next time I might even try croissant dough. Yum!"

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Creamy Caramel-Pecan Rolls

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It's not uncommon to spend precious time in a long bakery line for sticky rolls covered with nutty caramel. But with this recipe made with frozen bread dough, you can go on with your day after a mere 25 minutes of prep time. To save time, assemble the semi-homemade, raisin-optional rolls the night before, then bake them in the morning.

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Cheese Rolls

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At first glance, these might appear to be classic cinnamon rolls. Peek a little closer at the frozen bread dough recipe, though, and you might realize it's a savory remix featuring a filling of shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, and fresh chives. For a pizza-like experience, try pairing these with a side of your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce for dunking.

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Apricot Ladder Loaf

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Follow this ready-made bread dough recipe and you can craft two gorgeous loaves of fruit-filled breakfast pastry in less than half the time of one homemade loaf. The danish-meets-bread creation is totally customizable, too. Just round up your favorite flavor of fruit spread and some fresh fruit, like berries, chopped peaches, or chopped apricots, and make this beautiful braided bread recipe your own. (Psst … cream cheese would also be delightful if you're seeking an alternative to fruit jams or jelly!)

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Soft 'n' Chewy Pretzel Sticks

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Just because they don't have the signature brown hue you're familiar with on soft pretzels doesn't mean these don't taste similar to the real deal! These chewy breadsticks are boiled, then baked—just like stadium pretzels. As good as the frozen bread dough recipe itself is, it gets even better once you add a side of sauce. Consider honey mustard, chutney, cheese sauce, hummus, or marinara, or enjoy them scooped into one of these scrumptious hot dip recipes.

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Seeded Mini Dinner Rolls

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This recipe made with frozen bread dough looks like something you'd snag from a basket at the center of a gourmet restaurant's table! To make these beautiful ball-shape puffs right in your own kitchen—no culinary school degree required—choose between white and whole wheat bread dough. Shape the thawed dough into spheres, pull the edges under to create a smooth top, then brush with an egg white wash before sprinkling with mustard seeds (or any other seeds). After baking, the result is shiny, sharp, and almost too pretty to eat.

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