Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the kitchen. This homemade cinnamon roll recipe creates soft, pillowy rolls filled with a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking them for a weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to impress. With step-by-step instructions, you can easily recreate this bakery-style treat in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

Dough

• ¼ cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 ¾ to 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 eggs, room temperature

Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Frosting

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (or as needed)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13 pan or baking dish and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let it sit for 7–10 minutes until foamy.
3. In a saucepan, heat milk, butter, remaining sugar, and salt to 120–130°F.
4. Add 2 cups of flour to a stand mixer with a dough hook. Pour in the eggs, warm milk mixture, and yeast mixture. Mix until combined.
5. Gradually add flour, ½ cup at a time, until dough forms a soft ball.
6. Knead dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
7. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
8. Roll dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
9. Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 15 pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place rolls in prepared pan.
10. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.
11. Brush rolls with milk if desired and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
12. While rolls bake, mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until fluffy.
13. Let rolls cool for 10–15 minutes, then spread frosting on top.

Serving and Storage Tips

Cinnamon rolls taste best when they are still warm and gooey right out of the oven. For serving, you can spread the cream cheese frosting while the rolls are slightly warm so it melts into the swirls, creating that irresistible sticky glaze. Pair them with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or even a tall glass of milk for the perfect treat. If serving at a brunch or holiday table, place them on a cake stand or platter for a beautiful presentation.

For storage, keep cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm in the oven at 300°F for 8–10 minutes. For freezing, you can freeze baked and frosted rolls for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before eating. If you’d like to freeze unbaked rolls, prepare them up to the point before the second rise, freeze, and then thaw and let rise before baking.

Variations

1. Classic Vanilla Glaze – Instead of cream cheese frosting, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for a simple drizzle. Perfect if you want a lighter topping.
2. Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls – Add chopped pecans to the filling and drizzle warm caramel sauce over the baked rolls for a sticky, nutty twist.
3. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls – Mix pumpkin puree into the dough and pumpkin pie spice into the filling for a fall-inspired flavor.
4. Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls – Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the cinnamon-sugar filling or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosting.
5. Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls – Add finely diced apples tossed in cinnamon and sugar to the filling. It turns into a gooey apple pie center.
6. Overnight Cinnamon Rolls – Prepare the rolls up to the second rise, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning for a stress-free breakfast.
7. Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Rolls – Add lemon zest and juice to the cream cheese frosting for a refreshing citrus twist.
8. Savory Cinnamon Rolls – Skip the sugar and instead fill the dough with cheese, herbs, and garlic butter for a fun savory version.

FAQs

1. Can I make cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, prepare them up to the second rise, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next morning.

2. Can I freeze cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely. Freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

3. Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?
No, you can knead the dough by hand. It just takes a bit longer (about 8–10 minutes).

4. How do I know if my dough has risen enough?
It should double in size. Poke the dough lightly; if the indentation stays, it’s ready.

5. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, just mix it directly into the flour without proofing in water first.

6. Can I substitute whole milk with another type?
Yes, 2% or even non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk works, but the rolls may be slightly less rich.

7. Why are my cinnamon rolls dense instead of fluffy?
This usually happens if too much flour is added or if the dough didn’t rise long enough.

8. Can I reduce the sugar in the filling?
Yes, but the classic gooey texture comes from the sugar-cinnamon mix, so reducing too much may affect the result.

9. How do I cut cinnamon rolls without squishing them?
Use unflavored dental floss to slice through the rolled dough cleanly.

10. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but texture may vary.

This homemade cinnamon roll recipe is the perfect way to create a warm, comforting treat that tastes just like it came from a bakery. With a soft dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and creamy frosting, it’s a recipe worth keeping in your collection. Whether you serve them at a special gathering or just as a cozy weekend breakfast, these cinnamon rolls will always be a crowd-pleaser.

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