If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to warm, gooey, and perfectly spiced rolls fresh from your own oven, then you’re in for a treat with the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. This recipe brings together a soft, tender dough with a luscious cinnamon-sugar filling and a dreamy cream cheese icing that tops each roll just right. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and will have everyone asking for seconds, all while being wonderfully approachable even if you’re new to baking cinnamon rolls.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in making your cinnamon rolls soft, flavorful, and oh-so-delicious. From the richness of butter to the warm aroma of cinnamon, they come together perfectly.
- Yeast (1 package / 2 1/4 teaspoons): The magical leavening agent that makes the dough rise and become fluffy.
- Milk (1 cup): Adds moisture and richness, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the dough just right without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups, plus up to 1/2 cup more): The structure of your rolls that holds everything together.
- Butter (6 tablespoons, diced and softened): Adds moistness and flavor to the dough.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Large eggs (2): Provide richness and help create a tender texture.
- Butter for filling (1 stick, softened): Creates the pat of melted goodness inside each roll.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Gives a deep molasses flavor and moistness to the filling.
- White sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and crunch in the filling mix.
- Ground cinnamon (3 tablespoons): The warm, spicy heart of every perfect cinnamon roll.
- Cream cheese (3/4 cup): For luscious, tangy icing that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
- Icing sugar (1 cup or more to taste): Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese glaze.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors in the icing.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the icing for perfect harmony.
How to Make Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Proof the Dough
The first step is to activate the yeast. Warm your milk until it’s just a little warmer than body temperature, but not hot — around 110°F is perfect. Stir in the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s frothy and bubbling. This little trick ensures your dough will rise beautifully. Next, mix in the softened butter, sugar, salt, eggs, and most of your flour. Knead this dough gently on a floured surface until it feels smooth and elastic. If it’s a little sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time but remember to keep it soft and tender!
Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
Place your kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Find a warm spot in your kitchen and let it rise until doubled in size — about 1 to 1.5 hours. This rise is crucial, as it creates that fluffy, airy texture you crave in cinnamon rolls. Seeing the dough puff up like a little cloud is incredibly rewarding and a sure sign you’re on the right path!
Step 3: Roll Out and Add Filling
Once your dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16×12 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar, white sugar, and generous cinnamon all over the top. The combination creates a deliciously gooey and warmly spiced center that melts into the dough as it bakes.
Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Bake
Starting with the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to cut this log into 12 even rolls and place them in a buttered baking pan, leaving a little space for expansion. Cover and let them rise again for about 30 minutes — this second rise helps develop that irresistibly soft texture. Then, bake your rolls at 350°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Your kitchen will smell like a cinnamon dream in no time!
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing
While the rolls bake, whip together the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and luscious. This icing will add the perfect sweet tang that perfectly balances the cinnamon and sugar filling. As soon as your rolls come out of the oven, spread this icing generously over the warm rolls so it melts into every crevice.
How to Serve Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your cinnamon rolls with a few creative garnishes. A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds a satisfying crunch, while a light dusting of extra cinnamon on the glaze can brighten the flavors. If you want a special touch, drizzle some caramel sauce or a splash of maple syrup over the top for that extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
These cinnamon rolls are often the star of the show, but pairing them with a simple, fresh fruit salad can balance the sweetness and add refreshing contrast. A cup of rich coffee or creamy chai tea perfectly complements the warm spices and buttery dough for a real cozy breakfast or brunch experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can make your Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe feel like a celebration. Serve rolls stacked on a pretty cake stand, or plate them individually with a drizzle of extra cream cheese glaze and a sprig of fresh mint. Wrapping a single roll in parchment and tying it with ribbon can turn these tasty treats into lovely gifts for family or friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and you just might), store the cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay soft and delicious, ready to satisfy a sweet craving anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked rolls after slicing by wrapping the pan tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and bake as usual. Baked cinnamon rolls also freeze well; just thaw and gently warm before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your cinnamon rolls in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds for a soft, warm treat, or warm them in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil for about 10 minutes to enjoy that just-baked freshness again.
FAQs
Can I make these cinnamon rolls vegan?
Absolutely! Swap out the milk for a plant-based alternative, use vegan butter, and replace the eggs with flax or chia egg substitutes. For the cream cheese icing, there are fantastic dairy-free cream cheese options that work beautifully.
Why are my cinnamon rolls dense instead of fluffy?
Dense rolls usually mean the yeast wasn’t fully activated, the dough didn’t rise enough, or too much flour was added. Make sure your milk isn’t too hot when activating the yeast and give your dough plenty of time and a warm spot to rise.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
You can replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat, but keep in mind your rolls will be a bit denser and less soft. Combining half whole wheat and half all-purpose is a great way to add nutrition while keeping tenderness.
How do I know when cinnamon rolls are done baking?
Look for a golden brown top and rolls that spring back slightly when pressed. They should feel soft but hold their shape. An instant-read thermometer should register about 190°F internally if you want to be exact.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?
Yes! After preparing the dough and rolling it out, cover the cut rolls and refrigerate overnight. The slow rise will develop flavor, and you can bake them fresh in the morning for warm, homemade cinnamon rolls right from your oven.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe enough if you want to impress yourself and your loved ones with a bakery-quality breakfast. The process is straightforward, the ingredients are welcomingly simple, and the result is pure comfort on a plate. Trust me, once you make these cinnamon rolls from scratch, store-bought rolls will be a thing of the past. Now it’s your turn to make the kitchen smell incredible and enjoy every gooey, cinnamon-swirled bite!
Print
Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 60 minutes (including rising times)
- Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Enjoy the ultimate comfort breakfast with these best homemade cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy dough swirled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, topped with a rich cream cheese glaze—perfectly baked to golden perfection for a delicious start to your day.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 package yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus up to 1/2 cup more as needed)
- 6 tablespoons butter (diced and softened)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
Filling Ingredients
- 1 stick butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Glaze Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup icing sugar (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until it is lukewarm, then sprinkle the yeast over it and let it activate for about 5 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with granulated sugar, softened butter, salt, eggs, and the majority of the flour. Mix thoroughly and knead the dough on a floured surface, adding extra flour as needed, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined and spreadable. This mixture will be used to generously coat the rolled-out dough, infusing the cinnamon rolls with rich flavor.
- Roll and Fill the Dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 16 by 12 inches. Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar mixture across the dough’s surface, ensuring every bite is packed with sweetness. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal slices for perfect cinnamon rolls. Arrange the slices in a greased baking pan, leaving a bit of space between them to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake the Cinnamon Rolls: Cover the pan with a towel and allow the rolls to rise a second time for about 30 minutes or until puffed up. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until they are golden brown on top and cooked through. While baking, prepare the glaze.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more icing sugar if desired.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before drizzling or spreading the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm rolls. Serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is lukewarm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor and to prep ahead.
- Adjust the cinnamon sugar filling ratio to suit your sweetness preferences.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for a smooth glaze.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
