Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in the ultimate breakfast comfort with our homemade Cinnamon Rolls, where each fluffy swirl blends buttery goodness and sweet cinnamon spice. It’s perfect for a comforting breakfast, brunch, or indulgent snack. Each bite is a melt-in-your-mouth delight.
The soft dough, gooey insight, sugary outside, and slightly tangy cream cheese frosting were like little pieces of dessert heaven.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Highlights
- Irresistible Flavor
- Only 30 minutes Prep Time
- Simple Ingredients
- Perfect for breakfast or brunch
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
WHOLE MILK – Preferred milk for the dough. You could also use 2% in a pinch.
EGGS – large eggs, make sure they are room temperature
BUTTER – Unsalted is preferred, but salted will work in this recipe, too.
FLOUR – Bread flour is the preferred flour of choice, but all-purpose will work, too. Bread flour helps to provide more gluten structure to the rolls.
SUGAR – Granulated sugar is used in the base of the dough. Light brown sugar adds to the gooeyness of the cinnamon rolls.
INSTANT YEAST – This recipe uses instant yeast. You could activate dry yeast, but you must take the time to proof it.
SALT – table salt or kosher salt will work in this recipe.
CINNAMON – Use your choice of ground cinnamon. This pairs nicely with the brown sugar in the filling. This recipe uses 2 ½ tablespoons of it. If you do not want a strong cinnamon taste, reduce it to 1 tablespoon.
CREAM CHEESE – This recipe uses regular cream cheese. Reduced fat could also work, but full-fat cream cheese is preferred.
POWDERED SUGAR – used to help sweeten the frosting.
VANILLA – a little bit of vanilla extract helps bring the frosting together.
How To Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, and butter in a stand mixer. Add bread flour, yeast, and salt, and mix to form dough.
- Knead for 5 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, then knead again for 5 minutes. Add more flour if necessary.
- Let dough rise in a greased bowl in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Prepare filling with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Roll the dough and spread filling, roll up, cut the cinnamon roll dough into 12 pieces, and place in pan for a second rise, 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350º Fahrenheit for 24-30 minutes until golden. Prepare frosting with cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
- Cool rolls for 10 minutes, frost, and serve.
Recipe Success Tips
DOUGH CONSISTENCY – Achieving the right dough consistency is key. It should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too wet, a little more flour can help.
TIGHT ROLLING – Rolling the dough tightly ensures that the cinnamon filling is evenly distributed in every bite, creating those beautiful swirls.
PATIENCE DURING RISING – Allowing the dough to rise properly is crucial. It should double in size for the perfect texture.
OVEN WATCH – Keep an eye on the rolls as they bake. They should be golden brown and cooked through to ensure they’re not doughy inside.
FROSTING FLAVOR – Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the frosting to taste. The frosting should complement the rolls without overpowering them.
Serving Suggestions
NUTS – Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts on top for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
COFFEE OR TEA – Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The bitterness balances the sweetness of the rolls perfectly.
ICE CREAM – For an indulgent dessert, serve warm cinnamon rolls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Leftovers
STORE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE – Cinnamon Rolls can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days. Store them in an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap in the baking dish.
STORE IN THE REFRIDGERATOR – Place the Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for longer storage. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.
FREEZING PROCESS
- Pre-Freeze – If you’ve already frosted the rolls, briefly freeze them uncovered for about an hour. This step prevents the frosting from sticking to the wrap.
- Wrap Well – After the pre-freeze, wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. This protects their texture and flavor.
- Airtight Container or Freezer Bag – Place the wrapped rolls in an airtight or freezer bag. They can last for up to 2 months in the freezer.
REHEATING
- Room Temperature Thawing – Let frozen rolls thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
- Oven Reheating – Preheat your oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Place the rolls on a baking sheet and cover them with foil to prevent them from drying out. Warm them for about 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave Reheating – For a quicker option, microwave each roll for 30 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat; they can become too soft or chewy.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
You can use all-purpose flour, but for the perfect texture, bread flour is recommended due to its higher protein content.
Can I substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast?
Yes, but activate the yeast first by placing it in warm milk with a tablespoon of sugar for 5 minutes until foamy, then proceed with the recipe.
Can I prepare these ahead of time for baking in the morning?
Absolutely! After slicing and placing the rolls in a 9×13 pan, tightly cover it and refrigerate overnight. The rolls will rise slowly. The next morning, let the pan sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, then preheat the oven and bake as directed. Enjoy fresh, warm cinnamon rolls!
More Easy and Delicious Breakfast Recipes
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup whole milk warmed to 110º Fahrenheit
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 6 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
- ⅓ cup sugar granulated
- 4 ½ – 4 ¾ cups bread flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 8 tablespoons butter unsalted, almost melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
Cream cheese frosting
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
DOUGH
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together milk, eggs, granulated sugar, and butter using the whisk attachment. Switch to the dough hook.
- Add bread flour, instant yeast, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low until the dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then let it rest for 10 minutes. Knead again for another 5 minutes. If the dough is too wet, add some of the remaining flour.
RISE
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.
FILLING
- Prepare the filling by mixing nearly melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Roll out the risen dough into an 18-inch rectangle and spread the cinnamon sugar mixture over it.
- Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 12 pieces. Place in a greased 9×13 pan.
RISE
- Let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes.
BAKE
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Bake the rolls for 24-30 minutes or until they reach 190° Fahrenheit.
FROSTING
- While baking, prepare the frosting by mixing cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
- Let the rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread the frosting and serve.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.