The sweet smell of freshly baked goods lingers in the air. The scent of sweet sugar and cinnamon makes your stomach grumble, and your eyes eagerly follow your nose and are greeted with one of the most beautiful sights in the world, a freshly baked cinnamon roll.

It’s no surprise that cinnamon rolls have been around for centuries, with origins dating back to ancient Sweden, where people made them with honey and spices. Today, we use a combination of sugar, butter, and cinnamon to make the gooey center everyone loves.

The combination of flakey bread, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and frosting makes cinnamon rolls irresistible. And while they may seem intimidating, with a bit of patience, you can make your own with no problem.

We have you covered if you want to know how to make cinnamon rolls. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make homemade cinnamon rolls that will have everyone begging for the recipe.

What Are Cinnamon Rolls?

Cinnamon rolls, sometimes called cinnamon buns or cinnamon swirls, are sweet rolls made with yeast dough and rolled up with a cinnamon sugar filling before being baked until fluffy and golden brown. They’re usually finished off with a vanilla or cream cheese frosting.

Make no mistake; cinnamon rolls are not healthy. They are not supposed to be! But that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge every once in a while. Cinnamon rolls are the ultimate breakfast comfort food.

Cinnamon Rolls: The Sweet Smell of Baked Goods

Cinnamon rolls, sometimes called cinnamon buns or cinnamon swirls, are sweet rolls made with yeast dough and rolled up with a cinnamon sugar filling before being baked until fluffy and golden brown. They're usually finished off with a vanilla or cream cheese frosting.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hrs

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine International

Servings 5 people

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

Dough:

• 1 cup Warm milk
• 2 Eggs
• ⅓ cups Melted butter
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 4¼ cups All-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
• ½ cups Granulated sugar
• 2¼ teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon Salt

Filling:

• ½ cups Melted butter
• ¾ cups Brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp Cinnamon

Frosting:

• 4 ounces Cream cheese - softened
• ¼ cups Unsalted butter - softened
• 1½ cups Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• In a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Add the flour, sugar, yeast, and saltto the wet mixture.
• Use a dough hook attachment to knead for about 5-7 minutes until you have a smooth and elastic dough. If you do not have a stand mixer, you should knead the dough for 10 minutes or until the dough is supple and soft.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let it rise for about an hour in a warm place until it doubles insize - around 1 to 1.5 hours.
• To make the filling, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Remove the dough from the greased bowl and use a rolling pin to roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. The dough must be of a uniform thickness. Otherwise, your cinnamon rolls will not cookevenly. Spread the filling mixture onto the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
• Roll up the dough tightly into a log shape and cut it into 12 equally sized rolls. Place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Alternatively, you can also use a 9x13 casserole dish. If you use a casserole dish, line it with parchment paper so you can easily remove the cinnamon rolls.
• Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let them rise for another hour until doubled in size -about 30-45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit while the cinnamon rolls rise. Once the cinnamon rolls are done rising, bake them for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
• Mix the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a stand mixer bowl. Beat this mixture until smooth, fluffy, and forming stiff peaks. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can do this step by hand with a whisk.
• Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting them. Spread the frosting evenly across the cinnamon rolls and serve.
• Enjoy!

Keyword cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting

Tips & Tricks for Cinnamon Rolls

• If you want to make the rolls ahead of time, after step 6, cover and place them in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, let them come to room temperature before continuing with step 7.
• Feel free to add in nuts or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
• For a fun twist, try making pumpkin cinnamon rolls by adding some canned pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to the dough.
• To make the frosting extra special, try mixing in some maple syrup.
• Experiment with different types of cinnamon for a unique taste.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative and personalize your cinnamon rolls to fit your preferences.
• Quality ingredients make a big difference; high-quality cinnamon and real vanilla extract can take your cinnamon rolls to the next level.

• Don’t skip the fat! It may be tempting to use low-fat cream cheese, butter, or milk, but it’s worth it to use full fat for the best taste and texture.
• Always make extra frosting. Having some extra for dipping can make this pastry even more comforting.
• Serve your cinnamon rolls warm for maximum gooeyness and enjoyment.
• You can quickly warm up leftover cinnamon rolls in the oven. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and heat for about 5-10 minutes or until warm and delicious.

Nutrition Information of Cinnamon Rolls

One cinnamon roll has about 320 calories, 15 grams of fat, 41 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of protein. While they may be tasty, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Conclusion

So there you have it – everything you need to know to make homemade cinnamon rolls. With a bit of patience and effort, your cinnamon rolls will be the talk of the town.

Cinnamon rolls are a classic breakfast or brunch treat that will never disappoint. With our recipe, you can make delicious homemade cinnamon rolls that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. So indulge yourself with these cinnamon rolls – you won’t regret it.

Happy baking!