Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to wake up to the scent of sweet, buttery cinnamon swirling through your kitchen, these Cinnamon Rolls are your dream come true! Imagine pillowy soft rolls, ribboned with gooey cinnamon-sugar, blanketed in luscious cream cheese icing — every bite is like a warm, comforting hug. Whether you’re making breakfast extra special or treating yourself to the ultimate dessert, this is a recipe you’ll pass down — trust me, it’s love at first swirl with these Cinnamon Rolls.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for these Cinnamon Rolls is beautifully simple, using pantry staples that come together for show-stopping results. Each plays a crucial role, whether it’s for the pillowy dough, fragrant filling, or irresistible icing — the magic is in the details!
- Warm milk (1 cup, 110°F): The perfect temperature helps the yeast rise and gives the dough its fluffy texture.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): This is what makes your rolls rise into airy, pillowy perfection.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds subtle sweetness to both the dough and the finished rolls.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/3 cup for dough, 1/3 cup for filling, 1/4 cup for icing): Butter adds richness — no skimping here for that classic flavor!
- Large eggs (2): These bind the dough, enriching its texture and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (4 1/2 cups): The foundation for structure, ensuring sturdy but tender Cinnamon Rolls.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Just enough to balance the sweetness and enhance every flavor.
- Brown sugar, packed (1 cup): For that signature caramel-cinnamon swirl inside every roll.
- Ground cinnamon (2 1/2 tablespoons): The heart and soul of every Cinnamon Roll!
- Cream cheese, softened (4 ounces): Essential for a thick, tangy, melt-in-your-mouth icing.
- Powdered sugar (1 1/2 cups): Makes the icing silky smooth and just the right amount of sweet.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): A little goes a long way to round out the flavor of the icing.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons, for icing): Adjusts the icing to that dreamy, spreadable consistency.
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Bloom the Yeast
Start by dissolving the yeast in that perfectly warm milk and set it aside until it develops a rich, foamy top. You’re looking for that telltale froth — a sign your yeast is alive and ready to help those Cinnamon Rolls rise to their fluffy best.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, blend the sugar, softened butter, eggs, and salt. Stir in your foamy yeast-milk mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing as you go, until a soft, supple dough forms — it’ll feel just a little tacky but should pull away from the bowl.
Step 3: Kneading and First Rise
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about five minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour). This is when the magic really starts!
Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
While the dough is rising, stir together brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This dynamic duo is responsible for that irresistible swirl you’ll find in every bite. Have your butter softened and ready for easy spreading.
Step 5: Roll Out & Fill the Dough
Once your dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 16×21 inches — don’t worry about perfection. Spread a generous layer of softened butter over the surface, then evenly scatter your brown sugar-cinnamon mixture. Press it lightly into the dough so every roll is packed with flavor.
Step 6: Roll, Cut, and Second Rise
Now for the fun part: roll your dough up tightly (lengthwise) into a log, then cut into twelve even pieces. Arrange these beauties, swirl side up, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them puff up again for 30 minutes — you’ll see them swell and fill out the pan, getting ready for their big reveal.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
While the rolls are enjoying their final rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the Cinnamon Rolls are just kissed with golden brown on top and your kitchen smells positively heavenly.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Icing
While the rolls bake, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth, then gently mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk to achieve a dreamy, spreadable icing. As soon as your rolls come out of the oven, slather them generously — let the icing melt into all those nooks and crannies.
How to Serve Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
The classic cream cheese icing is already a showstopper, but you can fancy things up with a sprinkle of toasted nuts, a handful of plump raisins, or a dusting of extra cinnamon for a bakery-worthy finish. Even a drizzle of caramel or a dollop of whipped cream makes these Cinnamon Rolls party-ready.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Rolls shine at brunch alongside fresh fruit, crisp bacon, or fluffy scrambled eggs. For a cozier pairing, serve them with hot coffee, a chai latte, or a glass of cold milk — perfect for dunking!
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Cinnamon Rolls on a pretty serving platter, stack them high on a cake stand, or serve each roll nestled in parchment squares for a sweet, rustic feel. For celebratory mornings, add a ribbon or mini flag toppers. A drizzle of chocolate or citrus zest can transform them for special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If (and it’s a big if) you have extra Cinnamon Rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, pop them in the fridge, where they’ll stay soft and delicious for several more days.
Freezing
To freeze, let your baked and cooled rolls rest on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. You can also freeze unbaked rolls right after assembling — simply thaw and finish rising before baking fresh.
Reheating
To reheat Cinnamon Rolls, place individual rolls on a plate and microwave for 15–20 seconds, or warm the whole batch in a low oven (around 300°F) for 10 minutes. Adding a damp paper towel while microwaving helps revive their pillowy softness and ensures the icing stays melty and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! You can swap in the same amount of instant yeast for active dry yeast. You can even skip the blooming step — just mix the yeast right into the dry ingredients and proceed as instructed.
How do I make Cinnamon Rolls in advance for a special breakfast?
Shape the rolls and place them in your greased baking dish, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising for about an hour before baking. This is a great trick for fresh-from-the-oven convenience!
My dough didn’t rise much. What went wrong?
This usually happens if the yeast is expired or the milk was too hot (which can kill yeast!) or too cold (which slows rising). Always check your yeast’s freshness, and aim for milk that feels comfortably warm but not hot to the touch.
Can I add nuts or fruits to the filling?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even raisins mix beautifully with the cinnamon-sugar filling. Just sprinkle them on before rolling up the dough for a flavorful twist on classic Cinnamon Rolls.
Help! My icing is too thick/thin. How do I fix it?
If your icing is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, simply beat in a little more powdered sugar until it firms up just right.
Final Thoughts
Making Cinnamon Rolls from scratch is pure kitchen joy, and every swirl is a testament to the magic that happens when you bake for the people you love. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, shared at brunch, or devoured as a sweet midnight treat, these rolls never fail to bring smiles. Give them a try — you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Print
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible aroma and flavor of freshly baked Cinnamon Rolls. These soft, fluffy rolls swirled with a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with a decadent cream cheese icing are the perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Dissolve Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. Add yeast mixture, then gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes. Let rise until doubled.
- Prepare Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough, spread butter, sprinkle with filling, roll up, and cut into rolls.
- Rise & Bake: Place rolls in a dish, let rise, then bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.
- Make Icing: Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Spread over warm rolls.
Notes
- For overnight rolls, refrigerate shaped rolls before the second rise. Let them rise before baking.
- Add nuts or raisins to the filling if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour 30 minutes rising time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
