This Homemade Cinnamon Buns recipe is a soft and gooey treat, which is made with brown sugar and a rich cream cheese glaze. It’s the perfect special breakfast, ready in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Homemade Cinnamon Buns Ingredients
Dough:
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp instant yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup warm water
Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp milk for thinning, if necessary
How To Make Trader Joe’s Homemade Cinnamon Buns
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and egg. In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk, vanilla, and room temperature butter until the butter is melted. Slowly add the warm water and the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead and rest the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Cover with a tea towel and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the filling and roll the dough: While the dough rests, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together for the filling. Roll the rested dough out into a large rectangle (approximately 12×9 inches). Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
- Shape and rise: Tightly roll up the dough lengthwise and pinch the seam to seal it. Slice the log into 1-inch thick rolls. Place the rolls, cut-side up, into a greased pie pan or skillet. Cover and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
- Bake the rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Let them rest for 5 minutes before glazing.
- Make the glaze and serve: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla together with an electric mixer until smooth. If needed, thin the glaze with a little milk. Spread the glaze generously over the warm buns and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips
- How to get the softest rolls? The key is to use warm (not hot) milk and water to activate the yeast without killing it. Also, be careful not to add too much extra flour when kneading; the dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes. After kneading, you can place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- How to get a smooth glaze? Using room temperature cream cheese and butter is essential. An electric mixer is the best tool to beat them together until they are completely smooth and free of lumps before adding the sugar.
- How to get evenly sized rolls? After rolling the dough into a log, you can use a piece of unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls. This creates a clean cut without squishing the dough.
What To Serve With Cinnamon Buns
These decadent buns are a complete treat on their own, perfect for a special breakfast or dessert.
- A cup of hot black coffee or a latte
- A tall glass of cold milk
- A side of fresh fruit salad
How To Store Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Buns
- Room Temperature: Store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can gently reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving to restore their softness.
- Freeze: You can freeze the baked and glazed rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or reheat them gently in the oven.
Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Buns Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This is usually caused by one of two things: your yeast was expired, or the milk/water mixture was too hot and killed the yeast. The liquid should feel comfortably warm to the touch, not hot.
Yes, if you don’t have a pie pan or large skillet, you can arrange the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Just be sure to place them close together so they rise upwards.
This can happen if the dough was not rolled up tightly enough or if the seam was not pinched securely. A tight roll and a good seal are key to keeping the gooey filling inside.
Trader Joe’s Homemade Cinnamon Buns Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy15
servings30
minutes25
minutes380
kcalClassic, soft, and gooey homemade cinnamon rolls with a rich brown sugar filling and a decadent cream cheese glaze.
Ingredients
Dough: 3/4 cup warm whole milk, 1/4 cup butter (room temp), 3 ¼ cups flour, 2 ½ tsp instant yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 egg, 1/4 cup warm water, 1/2 tsp vanilla
Filling: 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon
Glaze: 4 oz cream cheese (room temp), 1/4 cup butter (room temp), 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp milk (optional)
Directions
- Dough: Combine dry dough ingredients. Mix wet dough ingredients. Slowly combine wet and dry, stirring to form a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes.
- Filling: Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Assemble: Roll the dough into a 12×9-inch rectangle and spread with the filling. Roll into a tight log and slice into 1-inch rolls.
- Rise & Bake: Place rolls in a greased pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden.
- Glaze: Beat all glaze ingredients until smooth. Spread generously over the warm rolls.
Notes
- Using room temperature ingredients for the dough and glaze is crucial for a smooth, well-combined result.
- Don’t over-flour your work surface when kneading; a little stickiness is okay for this soft dough.
- For the gooiest result, apply the glaze while the rolls are still warm.
- These are a perfect make-ahead treat for a special weekend breakfast or holiday morning.
