Nothing beats waking up to the warm, sweet aroma of a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls that you made yourself. This Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe delivers those soft, fluffy layers kissed with cinnamon and sugar, topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze that’s absolutely irresistible. From the first bite, you’ll experience a comforting blend of buttery dough and rich spices that melt together perfectly, making these cinnamon rolls the ultimate weekend treat or special occasion breakfast. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a recipe that feels like a heartfelt hug in baked form!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a handful of simple yet essential ingredients that come together to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and richness. Each ingredient plays a special role, whether it’s giving the dough its structure, the filling its gooey sweetness, or the glaze its creamy finish.
- Bread flour (4½ cups): Provides the ideal protein content for a soft yet sturdy dough with great chewiness.
- Granulated sugar (⅓ cup and ¼ cup): Sweetens the dough and the filling without overpowering the cinnamon’s warmth.
- Instant dry yeast (1 tablespoon): Ensures your dough rises beautifully and becomes incredibly fluffy.
- Kosher salt (1 tablespoon and ¼ teaspoon): Enhances the dough’s flavor and balances the sweetness in the filling.
- Eggs (4 large and 1 yolk): Adds richness, color, and moisture to the dough.
- Whole milk (14 tablespoons): Helps create a tender crumb and keeps the rolls soft.
- Unsalted butter (18 tablespoons room temperature and 12 tablespoons melted): The backbone of richness that makes the dough tender and the filling melt-in-your-mouth.
- Brown sugar (9 tablespoons): Brings a deep molasses flavor to the cinnamon sugar filling.
- Ground cinnamon (3 tablespoons): The star spice that infuses every bite with warm, sweet spice goodness.
- Pumpkin pie spice (1 teaspoon): Adds subtle layers of seasonal warmth and complexity.
- Large egg and milk (for brushing): Creates a beautiful golden crust as the rolls bake.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups), heavy cream (6 tablespoons), pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and table salt (â…› teaspoon): The delicious components for the creamy vanilla glaze that finishes the rolls perfectly.
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by combining the bread flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Whisk the dry ingredients together well. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, egg yolk, and cold milk until smooth. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry and begin mixing to form a dough. As you mix, add the softened butter bit by bit until fully incorporated. Knead the dough until it’s silky, elastic, and smooth—this step can take about 8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer. Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly buttered bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
While the dough rises, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a small bowl. This filling combines sweetness with spice and a buttery richness that will seep into every swirl of the rolls, creating those magical pockets of gooey cinnamon delight.
Step 3: Roll Out and Fill the Dough
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle roughly 15 by 20 inches, maintaining an even thickness. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, making sure to cover every inch edge to edge. Starting from one long side, carefully roll up the dough into a tight log, pinching the edge to seal it.
Step 4: Cut and Arrange the Rolls
Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces. Place the rolls cut side up in a buttered 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each. Cover them loosely and let them rise for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until puffed and billowy.
Step 5: Bake Your Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Just before baking, brush the rolls with the egg and milk wash to create a gorgeous golden crust. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them—overbaking can dry them out, and you want soft, tender rolls every time.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls bake, whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt together to create a smooth glaze. Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze generously over the top so it can melt into the swirls, adding a perfect creamy sweetness that completes this dreamy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.
How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
To amp up the presentation and flavor, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the glaze for a delightful crunch. A light dusting of extra cinnamon or a few fresh berries on the side will add a pop of color and a fresh burst that pairs beautifully with the warm cinnamon notes.
Side Dishes
Serve these cinnamon rolls with hot coffee or rich, creamy hot chocolate for a cozy spread. Fresh fruit salad or a simple yogurt parfait can lighten the meal and provide a refreshing contrast to the sweetness and richness of the rolls.
Creative Ways to Present
Try pulling apart the rolls for a fun, shareable breakfast experience or stack two together and add an extra drizzle of glaze for an indulgent treat. These rolls also make a fantastic base for bread puddings or can be transformed into decadent cinnamon roll French toast the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cinnamon rolls keep wonderfully when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To maintain their soft texture, avoid refrigerating unless you plan to consume them within 24 hours.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cinnamon rolls after cutting them but before the second rise. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and let rise before baking. Baked rolls can also be frozen; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the cinnamon rolls in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. If frozen, thaw completely before reheating. A quick glaze touch-up after warming will bring back that fresh-baked magic.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Absolutely! While bread flour gives a chewier texture due to its higher protein content, all-purpose flour will still yield soft and delicious cinnamon rolls. You may notice a slightly less resilient texture, but they will still be wonderful.
Is it necessary to use instant dry yeast?
This recipe specifically calls for instant dry yeast because it activates quickly and doesn’t require proofing, simplifying the process. However, you can substitute active dry yeast; just proof it in warm milk first to make sure it’s alive before adding to the dough.
Can I make these cinnamon rolls vegan?
With some ingredient swaps like using plant-based milk and butter alternatives and omitting eggs or using egg replacers, you can adapt this recipe to be vegan-friendly. Keep in mind the texture may vary slightly, but the cinnamon flavor will still shine through!
How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
Look for a golden-brown top and edges that have pulled slightly away from the pan. The rolls should be puffy and spring back gently when touched. You can lightly insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs, not raw dough.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Definitely! Consider mixing chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins into your cinnamon-sugar filling before rolling up the dough. It adds interesting texture and flavor variations that make the rolls uniquely yours.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like the joy of making and sharing a warm batch of Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. The entire process—from kneading the dough to pulling apart that first gooey roll—fills your kitchen with happiness. Whether it’s a special weekend treat or a way to brighten a tough day, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite. So gather those ingredients, invite your loved ones, and let the magic of cinnamon and sugar bring everyone closer together!
