Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
This Cinnamon Roll Recipe guides you through making rich, bakery-style rolls at home that are soft, fluffy and filled with cinnamon sugar and butter. Topped with a creamy icing, they’re perfect for brunch, dessert or any time you want something indulgent and homemade.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: ~60 minutes
Bake Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 50 minutes (including rising)
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup whole milk, warmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
For the Filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream-Cheese Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
➜ In a bowl combine flour, sugar and salt. In a liquid measuring cup combine warm milk, melted butter and yeast. Let sit briefly, then add egg. Mix wet ingredients into dry and knead until dough is smooth and elastic. Let dough rise in a greased bowl for about 45-60 minutes until doubled.
➜ Roll dough into a rectangle approx 12″×16″ on a lightly floured surface. Spread softened butter over the surface, sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up tightly from the long side, pinch seam closed, and slice into 10-12 rolls. Place in a greased 9″ or 10″ round pan. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
➜ Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from oven. While still warm, prepare the icing: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix to desired consistency. Spread or drizzle over the hot rolls. Serve warm.
Pro Tips (FAQ-Style)
Why aren’t my rolls fluffy? Make sure your yeast is fresh, your milk is warm (not hot), and give the dough enough rise time. Sally’s Baking+1
Can I make them ahead of time? Yes — you can prepare the rolls, refrigerate after shaping and bake next morning for fresh rolls.
Can I freeze cinnamon rolls? Yes — freeze baked rolls or shaped dough, then thaw and reheat when ready.
Nutrition Summary
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 roll of 12 | ~310 kcal | ~5 g | ~45 g | ~11 g | ~1 g | ~23 g |
Nutrition facts are estimated.
