Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls Recipe made with pie crust, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar. Simple, nostalgic, cozy.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
I’ll be honest, the first time I heard about vinegar rolls, I kinda squinted at the idea like… really? Vinegar? In something sweet? It sounded wrong. But you know how some recipes are so odd they almost dare you to try them? That was this one. The first time I made it was on a rainy Sunday, the kind where you don’t feel like going to the store, so you just dig around the pantry and hope inspiration smacks you. I had pie crust, butter, sugar, and yep—a bottle of apple cider vinegar sitting at the back of the shelf.
As soon as I pulled the pan from the oven, the smell just… stopped me. Warm cinnamon, caramelized sugar, and this tangy sweetness that made me think of old kitchens with lace curtains and enamel teapots on the stove. My grandma would’ve loved this—she was the queen of “making do” and would’ve called it a poor man’s cinnamon roll. And honestly? She’d be right. That’s probably why I love this recipe so much—it tastes like history you can eat.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls Recipe?
Here’s the deal: this Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls Recipe proves that simple is often the best. No long shopping list, no fuss. Just a few pantry basics that transform into something you don’t expect. The vinegar isn’t sharp—it cooks down into a tangy caramel-like sauce that soaks into the rolls. They’re sweet, a little sticky, rustic, and old-school in the best way. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people say, “Wait, what is this?” halfway through their second serving.
Ingredient Notes:
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s humble. Nothing fancy, just real-deal basics that have stood the test of time.
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Pie Crust – Store-bought keeps it easy, homemade if you’re feeling fancy. Both work.
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Butter – Softened, because spreading cold butter on dough is a nightmare (we’ve all been there).
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Brown Sugar – Brings that deep molasses sweetness you don’t get with plain white sugar.
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Cinnamon – Classic warmth, basically the heartbeat of this recipe.
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Apple Cider Vinegar – Don’t freak out—this doesn’t make it sour. It’s the secret sauce (literally) that gives the rolls their unique flavor.
How To Make Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls?
This isn’t complicated baking, and that’s part of the charm.
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Mix water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vinegar in a pan. Heat it gently until the sugar melts and the kitchen smells cozy. Set it aside—it’s about to become magic.
Step 2: Roll the Dough
Dust your counter with flour, roll out your pie crust into a rectangle-ish shape (don’t stress the measurements). Smear butter all over it like you’re making cinnamon toast. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Spread it around—messy is fine.
Step 3: Roll and Slice
Roll the whole thing up tight, then slice into 12 pieces. They don’t need to be even. Honestly, the lopsided ones bake up gooier, which might be the best part.
Step 4: Assemble
Pop the slices into a baking dish, dot with a little more butter (because butter makes everything better), and pour the hot vinegar sauce over. It’ll feel weird, I know, but trust me.
Step 5: Bake
Bake at 375°F for 30–40 minutes until the rolls are golden and the sauce has bubbled into sticky perfection. Serve hot, maybe with cream or ice cream if you’re extra.
Storage Options:
These rolls are at their best fresh out of the oven, no question. But if by some miracle you’ve got leftovers, stash them in an airtight container. They’ll last a day on the counter or up to four days in the fridge. Just warm them up again before serving—they lose their magic if eaten cold.
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Variations and Substitutions:
Old recipes like this were meant to be flexible—it’s what folks had on hand.
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Swap apple cider vinegar for white vinegar if that’s what’s in the pantry.
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Add nuts or raisins to the filling for texture.
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A pinch of nutmeg or cloves makes it extra cozy.
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Try puff pastry instead of pie crust if you want a fancier finish (though it won’t taste quite as old-fashioned).
What to Serve with Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls?
There’s no wrong answer here.
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Breakfast treat – Think sweet rolls with coffee.
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Dessert – Add cream, ice cream, or even just a drizzle of milk.
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With dinner – Yep, some folks serve it like cornbread alongside savory meals. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do vinegar rolls taste like?
Like cinnamon rolls met bread pudding, with a tangy caramel twist. Sweet, sticky, and comforting.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes! Roll, slice, and assemble the night before, then bake them fresh the next day.
Is the vinegar flavor strong?
Not at all. It’s not sharp—it balances the sweetness and turns into a syrupy sauce. You’d never guess vinegar was in it unless someone told you.
This Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like it came out of a handwritten recipe box tucked in your grandma’s kitchen drawer. Simple, thrifty, and oddly comforting. Give it a try—I’d love to know if it wins you over the way it did me.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Old-Fashioned Vinegar Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
For the Rolls:
- 1 9-inch pie crust store-bought or homemade
- 4 tablespoons butter softened and divided
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small saucepan set over low heat, combine the water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar. Stir gently until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie dough into a rectangle, approximately 12 by 11 inches. Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter over the surface of the dough. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the butter.
Shape the Rolls:
- Beginning with the long side of the rectangle, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal rounds and arrange them in a greased 9x9-inch baking dish. Dot the tops with the remaining butter.
Bake:
- Pour the prepared vinegar sauce evenly over the rolls. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the sauce has thickened. Serve warm, optionally with cream or ice cream.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
