Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your kitchen. Soft, pillowy dough swirled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling creates a treat that’s both comforting and indulgent. The golden, gooey glaze drizzled on top adds a sweet, creamy finish that’s impossible to resist. With just 30 minutes of prep and a bit of patience for the dough to rise, you’ll be rewarded with warm, melt-in-your-mouth rolls in 3 hours.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of fluffy texture and bold, spiced flavor, making these cinnamon rolls a crowd-pleaser for breakfast or dessert. The process is simple, but the results are nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these rolls are sure to bring smiles and satisfied sighs. Let’s get baking—your kitchen is about to smell amazing!

Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

• For the yeast:
  • ½ cup warm water (110°F)
  • 1 (¼-ounce) package active dry yeast or instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• For the dough:
  • ⅓ cup melted butter or coconut oil (plus more for brushing)
  • ½ cup milk (room temperature)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
• For the filling:
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons cinnamon
• For the glaze:
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional frosting: 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting (instead of glaze)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Delicious Cinnamon Rolls

1. Prepare the baking dish: Grease an 8×11 or 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
3. Make the dough: In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, milk, sugar, and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture. Place flour in a large bowl, add wet ingredients, and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky. Knead roughly with your hands, then transfer to a floured surface. Knead for 3-4 minutes until smooth, adding flour as needed. Form into a ball.
4. Let the dough rise: Brush a large bowl with butter, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
6. Shape the rolls: Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 20×14-inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar, leaving a ½-inch border. Starting at one of the short ends, roll tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife to slice into 12 rolls.
7. Second rise: Place the rolls in the baking dish cut-side up, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
8. Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F.
9. Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk if too thick. Alternatively, prepare cream cheese frosting.
10. Bake: Uncover the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
11. Finish and serve: Let cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle with glaze or frosting. Serve warm and enjoy!

Sweet Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Cinnamon Rolls

While the classic glaze is delicious, try experimenting with other toppings! Swap the glaze for cream cheese frosting for a richer flavor, or drizzle with caramel sauce for a decadent twist. For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking. Feeling adventurous? Add a maple glaze by replacing half the milk in the glaze recipe with maple syrup.

How to Store and Reheat for Freshness

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 15-20 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes. For a fresh-from-the-oven feel, add a splash of milk before reheating to keep them moist.

Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers

Short on time? Use instant yeast to skip the initial proofing step. You can also prepare the dough the night before—after the first rise, cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it come to room temperature before rolling and baking. Alternatively, bake the rolls ahead and freeze them, then reheat with a fresh drizzle of glaze when ready to serve.

Perfect Pairings for Your Cinnamon Rolls

Serve your cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk for a classic combo. For a brunch spread, pair them with fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, or crispy bacon. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

Common Questions Answered

Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but replace only half the all-purpose flour to keep the dough light. Why didn’t my dough rise? Check that your yeast is fresh and the water temperature is between 110°F and 115°F. Can I make these vegan? Absolutely! Use plant-based butter, almond milk, and a flax egg substitute for the dough.

Cinnamon Rolls

Amy

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your kitchen. With just 30 minutes of prep and a bit of patience for the dough to rise, you’ll be rewarded with warm, melt-in-your-mouth rolls in 3 hours.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 minutes mins

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the yeast

• ½ cup warm water, 110°F
• 1 (¼-ounce) package active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Dough

• ⅓ cup melted butter or coconut oil, plus more for brushing
• ½ cup milk, at room temperature
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

Filling

• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cinnamon

Glaze

• 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Other Frosting Options (instead of the glaze)

• 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

 

• Grease an 8×11 or 9×13-inch baking dish.
• In a small bowl, stir together the water, yeast, and sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
• Make the dough: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, sugar, and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture. Place the flour in a large bowl, then add the wet ingredients and stir until combined. The mixture will be sticky. Use your hands to roughly knead the mixture, then turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for 3 to 4 minutes, or until smooth, sprinkling it with more flour if needed. Form the dough into a ball.
• Brush a large bowl with butter and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 20×14-inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar to within ½ inch of the edges.
• Starting at one of the short 14-inch ends, roll tightly into a log, then use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 rolls. Place the rolls in the baking dish cut-side up, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla until smooth. If it’s too thick, add more milk. Alternatively, make this cream cheese frosting recipe instead of the glaze.
• Uncover the rolls and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly golden on top. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle the glaze or frosting on top and serve.

Keyword baking, cinnamon, dough, frosting, rolls

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