Cinnamon Roll – Easy McDonald’s Copycat

This McDonald’s Cinnamon Roll copycat recipe is soft, buttery, and swirled with cinnamon sugar — just like the ones from the drive-thru, but better. It’s easy to pull off, no fancy tools needed, and perfect when you want something warm and cozy without spending $5 on one roll.

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Quick Summary

Prep time: 25 mins
Rise time: 60–90 mins
Bake time: 25 mins
Flavor: warm, buttery, cinnamon-rich
Great for: slow mornings, weekend resets, making your kitchen smell amazing

Why I Like This Recipe

Alright. I made this after a long night and a very bad group rank session. I just needed something soft. Something sweet. Something that didn’t talk back. And honestly? These hit. Warm, a little messy, and way too easy to eat straight from the pan. No regrets.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 egg

For the Filling

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (very soft)
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsp butter
• ⅔ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

How To Make Cinnamon Roll

1. Warm the milk + butter: Microwave or heat on stove — should be warm, not hot. Stir in the yeast and let it chill for 5 minutes while you do other stuff.
2. Mix the dough: In a big bowl, toss in the flour, sugar, salt. Add the milk mix and egg. Stir until dough forms. It’ll be sticky-ish, kinda shaggy.
3. Knead it: Flour your counter. Knead for 3–5 minutes — you’ll know it’s ready when it stops sticking to your fingers. Smooth and springy? Done.
4. Let it rest: Throw it in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel. Let it nap for 10 minutes.
5. Roll and fill: Roll into a 14×8 rectangle. Spread soft butter on like a madwoman. Mix brown sugar + cinnamon and sprinkle it everywhere.
6. Shape the rolls: Roll it up tight (from the long edge), slice into 10–12 pieces, and place cut side up in a greased dish.
7. Rise: Cover and let rise for about an hour. It’ll puff up and look cute and cozy.
8. Bake: 375°F for 24–27 minutes. If they brown too fast, tent with foil halfway. Don’t overbake or you’ll lose the gooey center.
9. Make the icing: Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla. Spread on warm rolls so it melts into the cracks.

Tips for Success

• Let the dough rise somewhere warm — not your fridge, unless it’s overnight
• Soft butter = easier spreading = better swirl
• Don’t overbake, or you’ll miss that McDonald’s softness vibe
• The icing melts best if the rolls are still a bit warm
• Use floss (yes, like teeth floss) to slice clean rolls

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Cover and keep for up to 5 days. Reheat as needed.
• Freezer: Freeze baked rolls (or unbaked after slicing) in an airtight bag. Bake or reheat straight from frozen.
• Microwave: 15–20 sec to bring it back to life. Add extra icing if you saved some.
• Oven: 350°F for 6–8 mins if you want that freshly-baked feel again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make these the night before?
  Yep. Roll and slice, then cover and let rise overnight in the fridge. Bake in the morning.
• Can I use non-dairy milk?
  Sure can. Almond, oat, whatever you’ve got — just make sure it’s not cold.
• Do I have to use cream cheese icing?
  Nope. You can use a basic powdered sugar glaze or even a coffee drizzle.
• My dough didn’t rise. What happened?
  Your milk might’ve been too hot. Or your yeast was dead (it happens).
• How do I slice the rolls cleanly?
  Dental floss. Slide it under, cross the ends over, and pull. Way easier than a knife.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Overheating the milk: Too hot = dead yeast. You want warm, not scorching. Like, wrist-bath warm.
• Under-kneading the dough: If it’s still super sticky after kneading, it’s not ready. Add a tiny bit of flour and go again.
• Overfilling with butter or sugar: Yes, it’s tempting — but too much and it’ll leak out everywhere while baking. Balance, friend.
• Not spacing the rolls: They need room to grow. Cramming them makes a cinnamon blob (not in a cute way).
• Skipping the rise time: You’ll get dense, sad rolls. Let the yeast do its job.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 42mg
• Sodium: 140mg
• Potassium: 90mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 43g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 16g
• Protein: 5g

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