Is there anything better than the smell of Cinnamon rolls baking in the oven? This easy homemade cinnamon roll recipe is perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a sweet treat to impress guests. It’s beginner-friendly, and you don’t need to wait overnight to enjoy these warm, gooey rolls fresh out of the oven!
The BEST part? You already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. Let’s dive into the details so you can bake up a batch of these delicious cinnamon rolls today!
Cinnamon rolls have a long history and are loved across the world. Originating in Sweden, where they are known as “kanelbullar,” they’ve become a staple in many countries. There’s even a national Cinnamon Roll Day (Kanelbullens Dag) celebrated on October 4th in Sweden!
No matter where they are consumed, the sugar, butter, and cinnamon in the soft, fluffy dough make them irresistible. Usually, butter and eggs are added to the dough to give it the smooth feel we love. In Sweden, cinnamon rolls are traditionally less sweet and spiced with cardamom, but the American version takes it up a notch with a gooey, sugary filling and, of course, a rich glaze.
Cinnamon rolls are a favorite in bakeries, cafés, and households around the world. Making them at home is surprisingly easy, even though they might seem like a pleasure best left to experts.
They’re ideal for brunch, breakfast, or a warm afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
With each bite, cinnamon rolls, whether prepared for a special event or as a treat for yourself, provide coziness and warmth.
Try my other recipe Marble Cake recipe
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Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: This provides structure and softness. Don’t worry about sifting it—measure it out. Buy now: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour.
- Instant yeast (1 packet): We’re using instant yeast here, which doesn’t need to be dissolved in water beforehand. It speeds up the process and helps the dough rise quicker.
- Warm Milk: Make sure it’s around 110°F. If the milk is excessively hot, the yeast will perish; if it is too cold, it will fail to activate.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives the filling a deep, caramel-like sweetness, adding richness. Buy Wholesome Organic Brown Sugar now.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show! Use fresh cinnamon for the best flavor. You can even adjust the amount if you like more spice.
- Cream Cheese: Tangy cream cheese cuts through the sweetness and adds a delightful richness. Buy now: Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese.
Watch video of the recipe here: Easy and fluffy cinnamon rolls
Instructions
- Step 1: Transfer warm milk to the bowl. Add in egg, sugar and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Now add active yeast and mix again and cover it for about 5 to 10 min.
- After the Dough has doubled in size, add flour and knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes on a well floured surface.
- Step 3: Spread the filling mixture evenly on the dough
- Step 4: Tightly roll the dough. Cut into 1 inch sections with a floss or you can use a knife as well. You should get 10 large pieces.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees
Hint: Make sure your dough is slightly sticky when kneading for the softest and fluffiest cinnamon rolls. A sticky dough shows the moisture is locked in, giving you tender rolls. After cutting the buns, don’t forget to let them rise again! They expand as they bake, making them fluffy and light.
Finally, if you want a softer center, lightly bake the buns until they are deliciously tender!
Enjoy warm, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls with this easy recipe that brings the baking experience into your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat, these rolls are made from scratch and feature a rich cinnamon filling and a luscious cream cheese icing that step up the game of the cinnamon roll recipe.
Try my other breakfast recipe: Cottage Cheese Pancake
Reasons to Adore this Recipe
- Perfect for Beginners: Even if this is your first time working with yeast dough, the simple steps make it manageable.
- No Overnight Wait: You can enjoy these cinnamon rolls in just a few hours from start to finish.
- Customizable Glaze: You can adjust the thickness of the glaze to suit your taste—it can be thin and drizzly or thick and creamy.
- Gooey Center: The secret to perfect cinnamon rolls is making sure they’re soft and gooey in the middle, and this recipe delivers just that!
Substitutions
- Substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for an even chewier, slightly more structured roll.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The blend should contain xanthan gum to provide elasticity.
- Replace regular milk with almond, oat, or soy milk to make these rolls dairy-free.
- If you’re using coconut milk, remember it adds a mild coconut flavor to the dough.
Variations
Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: To give the filling a wonderful crunch, add chopped pecans.
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Swap half of the cinnamon with cocoa powder and add mini chocolate chips.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Dice up an apple and add it to the filling for a fruity twist.
Storage
Storage: Cinnamon roll Leftovers can be stored in a shut tight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To enjoy them soft again, warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
Freezing: After cutting unbaked rolls into slices, you can freeze them. Let them thaw and rise before baking. Baked rolls can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat cinnamon rolls in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes until warmed.
Top tip
Use room-temperature butter for the filling so it spreads evenly.
For gooey rolls, don't overbake them! Pull them out when they’re just golden on top.
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
These easy homemade cinnamon rolls are not only delicious but also a fun project to undertake. With a soft, fluffy texture, a rich cinnamon filling, and a sweet cream cheese icing, they are sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy them fresh from the oven for a delightful treat any time of day!
Treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food with these easy homemade cinnamon rolls, crafted from scratch for a delightful experience. Soft, fluffy, and swirled with a rich cinnamon filling, each roll is a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. The dough rises to golden perfection, offering a light texture that melts in your mouth.
Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or warmed up later, these cinnamon rolls are sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen!
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 1 cup (200g) warm milk (whole milk or 2% preferred)
- 2 teaspoons quick rise or active yeast
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 egg at room temperature
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups (360g) All purpose flour or bread flour
- ½ cup more for dusting
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- For the filling:
- ⅔ cup (142g) dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (57g) butter, softened
- For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 oz (112g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- ¼ cup (85g) powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1:
Warm milk to around 110 F. Transfer warm milk to the bowl. Add in egg, sugar and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Now add active yeast and mix again and cover it for about 5 to 10 min. Next stir in flour, baking powder and salt with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form. Cover it with a warm cloth. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size. This may be more or less time depending on the humidity and temperature in your home.
Step 2:
After the Dough has doubled in size, add flour and knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes on a well floured surface. Dough should form into a nice ball and be slightly sticky. If it's TOO sticky add in 2 tablespoons more flour. Now roll out the dough into a 14x9 inch rectangle.
Step 3:
In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Now spread this mixture all over the dough nicely leaving a ¼ inch margin at the far side of the dough. Tightly roll dough up, starting from the 9-inch side and place the same side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can. You will probably need to cut off about an inch off the ends of the dough as the ends won’t be as full of cinnamon sugar as we’d want it to be. Cut into 1 inch sections with a floss or you can use a knife as well. You should get 10 large pieces.
Step 4:
Place cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x9 inch casserole dish, baking pan or round 9 inch cake pan. Cover with a warm towel and let rise again for 20-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the towel and bake cinnamon rolls for 25 - 30 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges.
Step 5:
As long as cinnamon rolls getting ready you can make cream cheese frosting or icing. When cinnamon rolls are baked Allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.
Step 6:
For the frosting:
In the bowl combine cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Mix it until smooth and fluffy. Spread over cinnamon rolls and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 500Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 565mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 17g
FAQ
The key difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is in the topping. Cinnamon rolls are typically finished with a creamy glaze or frosting, while cinnamon buns are baked with sticky toppings like caramel or nuts, often making them gooier and stickier. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but this distinction usually sets them apart.
The best type of flour for cinnamon rolls is all-purpose flour. It provides the right balance of structure and softness, creating fluffy, tender rolls. If you want chewier, more structured rolls, you can use bread flour, which has a higher protein content, resulting in more gluten formation. However, most traditional cinnamon rolls are made with all-purpose flour for a light and airy texture.
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Pairing
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Afshan faisal says
Love the flavors you've put together here!
Thanks for the inspiration! Can't wait to try more recipes.
Zoha says
I added pecans for extra crunch. Can I make the dough the night before?