Cinnamon Roll Recipe

This homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe is a pillowy and decadent brunch staple, which uses easy instant yeast and a generous brown sugar-cinnamon swirl. It’s the ultimate comfort food bake, ready to be frosted and devoured in about 2 hours.

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Cinnamon Roll Ingredients

The Dough:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The base structure. Measure by spooning and leveling to avoid dense rolls.
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough slightly.
• 1/2 tsp salt: Balances flavor.
• 3/4 cup whole milk: Provides richness and moisture.
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter: Melted into the milk for a tender crumb.
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast: Ensures a quick rise.
• 1 egg: Adds richness and color.

The Filling:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (very soft): Essential for spreading easily without tearing the dough.
• 1/3 cup brown sugar: Creates the caramel-like filling.
• 1 tbsp cinnamon: The star flavor.

The Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese (softened): Tangy base for the frosting.
• 2 tbsp butter: Adds creaminess.
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
• 1 tsp vanilla: Aromatic finish.

How To Make Cinnamon Roll

1. Warm the Liquids: Microwave the milk and 3 tbsp butter (or heat on the stove) until the butter melts and the mixture is warm, not hot (about 110°F). Stir in the instant yeast and let it chill for 5 minutes to activate.
2. Mix the Dough: In a big bowl, toss in the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the warm milk/yeast mixture and the egg. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a soft, shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead: Flour your counter generously. Knead the dough by hand for 3–5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it stops sticking to your fingers and becomes smooth and springy to the touch.
4. Short Rest: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rest for 10 minutes. This relaxes the gluten, making it easier to roll out.
5. Roll and Fill: Roll the dough into a 14×8 inch rectangle. Spread the very soft butter all over the surface. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle it evenly over the butter.
6. Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough up tightly starting from the long edge to create a log. Slice into 10–12 even pieces. Place them cut side up in a greased baking dish (9×13 or similar).
7. Rise: Cover the dish and let rise in a warm place for about an hour. The rolls should puff up significantly and look “cute and cozy.”
8. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 24–27 minutes. If the tops brown too fast, tent the dish with foil halfway through. Do not overbake, or you will lose the gooey center.
9. Make the Icing: While baking, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread generously over the warm rolls so it melts into the cracks.

Recipe Tips

• The Dental Floss Trick: To cut the rolls without squishing them flat, slide a piece of unflavored dental floss under the log, cross it over the top, and pull quickly. It slices cleanly through the dough unlike a knife.
• Temperature Check: When warming the milk, test it with your pinky finger. It should feel like warm bath water. If it burns your finger, it will kill the yeast and the rolls won’t rise.
• Soft Butter is Key: For the filling, melted butter can run out of the rolls, while cold butter tears the dough. Ensure it is “mayonnaise consistency” soft for the best spread.
• Frosting Timing: Frost the rolls while they are still warm (about 5-10 minutes out of the oven). This allows some of the icing to seep down into the spirals, making the center extra gooey.

What To Serve With Cinnamon Roll

• Crispy Bacon: The saltiness pairs perfectly with the sweet rolls.
• Fresh Fruit Salad: Lightens up the heavy breakfast.
• Scrambled Eggs: Adds protein to the meal.
• Hot Coffee: Essential for washing down the sticky sugar.

How To Store Cinnamon Roll

• Room Temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: Microwave a single roll for 15-20 seconds to make it soft and melty again.
• Freezing: You can freeze baked, unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm before frosting.

Cinnamon Roll Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 12g
• Protein: 5g
• Sugar: 22g

Nutrition information is estimated per roll (yields 12).

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