Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

12 servings
Make the BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with my easy Cinnamon Roll recipe. They're soft, fluffy and perfect for a special holiday brunch!

Ingredients

  • yeast

    2 1/4 teaspoons

    1 package
  • milk
    1 c
  • granulated sugar
    ½ c
  • all-purpose flour

    plus up to 1/2 cup more as needed

    4 c
  • butter

    diced and softened

    6 tbsp
  • salt
    1 tsp
  • eggs
    2 large
  • butter

    softened

    1 stick
  • brown sugar

    packed

    ½ c
  • white sugar
    ½ c
  • ground cinnamon
    3 tbsp
  • cream cheese
    ¾ c
  • icing sugar
    1 c
  • vanilla extract
    ½ tsp
  • salt

Directions

Make the dough

  1. 1

    Warm milk to around 100°F. This will take 30-45 seconds in the microwave - do not use milk that is hotter than 105°F, or you will destroy the yeast!

  2. 2

    Place yeast in small bowl with 1 tablespoon warm milk and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Stir, then let sit for 5 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface.

  3. 3

    Place flour, butter, salt, eggs, yeast mixture, remaining milk and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir a little to roughly combine.

  4. 4

    Knead dough in the mixer with the dough hook attached on medium speed until dough forms a ball. Dough should be completely smooth. If dough doesn't form a ball: Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time with the mixer running on low speed, until dough pulls together (do not add too much flour, or dough will have a biscuit-like texture). Kneading can take around 10-12 minutes, so be patient.

  5. 5

    Turn dough out into a greased bowl. Shape into a ball, pinching the bottom to form a smooth surface. Place it seam down, then cover with a clean tea towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shape the cinnamon rolls

  1. 1

    Dust work surface with flour. Turn out dough on floured surface, punch down and shape into a rectangle.

  2. 2

    Roll dough into rectangle, about 18x12 inches. Dough should be around 1/4 inch thick.

  3. 3

    Spread 1 stick softened butter over dough. Combine both sugars and the cinnamon for the filling in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle over butter.

  4. 4

    Roll up into a log from the longer side and pinch the seam to seal. Place log seam-side down. Slice into 12 rolls (I use a piece of sewing thread or dental floss for neat rolls).

  5. 5

    Place rolls in greased 9x13 inch pan. Cover with the tea towel and let sit until puffy and almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Bake cinnamon rolls

  1. 1

    As rolls rise, heat oven to 350°F.

  2. 2

    Bake risen rolls in the hot oven until lightly golden brown. This takes around 18 minutes. Be sure to check the rolls often. If center rolls aren't baked after 20 minutes, tent pan with aluminum foil and continue baking for up to 15-20 extra minutes (this can happen if your room was cool and the dough is colder due to it).

Frost rolls

  1. 1

    Place ingredients for the frosting in a medium mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth.

  2. 2

    Once cinnamon rolls are done, remove pan form oven and place on a wire rack. Let sit for 5 minutes, then frost rolls while warm.

  3. 3

    Let cinnamon rolls cool until they can be touched, then serve warm.

Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

150 min12 servings

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About this Recipe

The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls for a Perfect Holiday Brunch

There's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home, especially on a special occasion like Christmas morning breakfast. Our recipe for the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls delivers exactly that: incredibly soft, gloriously fluffy, and utterly irresistible rolls that are a true labor of love, made easy.

This isn't just any cinnamon roll recipe; it's crafted for that ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience. We start with a rich, tender dough that rises beautifully, creating the perfect canvas for our generous cinnamon-sugar filling. The secret lies in the balance of butter, brown sugar, and a hearty amount of fragrant ground cinnamon, ensuring every spiral is packed with flavor.

What truly elevates these homemade cinnamon rolls is the dreamy cream cheese frosting. A luscious blend of cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla extract, it adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced filling, creating a harmonious bite. Imagine these warm, gooey rolls, fresh from the oven, slathered with that heavenly frosting—it’s pure bliss!

Tips for Perfect Rolls:

  • Don't rush the rise: Allow the dough ample time to double in size for that signature fluffy texture.
  • Roll evenly: Aim for a consistent thickness when rolling out the dough to ensure even baking.
  • Generous filling: Don't be shy with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and softened butter; it's what makes these rolls so decadent.

These soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls are perfect for impressing guests at a holiday brunch or simply treating your family to a cozy weekend breakfast. Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the ultimate comforting experience. Get ready to create bakery-quality cinnamon rolls right in your own kitchen!

Frequently Asked Questions