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Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe

This cinnamon roll recipe makes soft rolls with sticky-sweet cinnamon filling topped with a buttery cream cheese icing.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Additional Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 15 cinnamon rolls
Calories: 398 kcal
Course: Dessert , Breakfast , Snacks , Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 1 package active dry yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoons
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 ¾ to 4 ¼ cups all purpose flour divided
  • 2 eggs room temperature
Filling
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Frosting
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar or as needed
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Grease a 9x13 pan or baking dish and set aside.
  2. Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of white sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture rest for 7 to 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy*.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, remaining white sugar, and salt. Heat the mixture to 120 to 130°F with a thermometer.
  4. Attach a dough hook to a stand mixer and add 2 cups of flour. Add the eggs, warm milk mixture, and the yeast mixture. Mix on medium-low speed until combined.
  5. Turn the mixer to medium speed and add the flour ½ cup at a time until the dough forms a soft ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. You may not need all of the flour.
  6. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes).
  7. Grease a large bowl and add the dough. Lightly cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  8. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and with a rolling pin, roll it out into a 15 x 12-inch rectangle.
  9. Spread butter on the dough and sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Roll the dough tightly, starting on the long side. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 15 even pieces and place them in the prepared pan.
  10. Cover rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  11. Brush rolls with additional milk if desired and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  12. To prepare the frosting, while the rolls are baking, combine frosting ingredients with a mixer until fluffy.
  13. Allow rolls to cool for about 10-15 minutes and spread frosting on warm rolls.

Notes

  • *Double check the date on your yeast to ensure it has not expired. If the yeast does not foam, it should be replaced with new fresh yeast.
  • If you do not have a stand mixer, you can make this dough by hand but it will take a little bit of work to make the dough nice and smooth. Mix in as much of the flour as you can with a spoon, and then continue mixing it in by hand. Once the dough is not too sticky, place it on the counter with a little bit of flour and knead it until it is smooth and elastic. This will take about 10 to 12 minutes. 
  • Bread Machine This dough can be prepared in a bread machine. Combine dough ingredients in the order specified by your bread machine. Set on dough cycle. Let dough rest for 10 minutes once completed, and continue with the recipe as above.
  • Cutting the rolls: Once rolled into a long log, you can cut the rolls with dental floss (ensure it's not flavored floss) instead of a knife. This cuts the rolls evenly without squishing the soft dough. Place the floss under the roll, cross the ends over the top and pull to slice through the dough.
  • To Make Up to 24 Hours Ahead: Once prepared, place rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Remove the plastic wrap and, with the oven turned off, place the pan in the oven. Place a bowl or pan of very hot water in the oven next to the rolls. Allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
  • To bake, remove the rolls from the oven (leave the water in the oven) and preheat the oven to the temperature specified in the recipe. Place the rolls in the oven, close the door, and bake according to the recipe instructions. The hot water will help to create steam and keep the rolls soft and fluffy as they bake.

Nutrition Information

Calories 398 (20%) Carbohydrates 57g (19%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 66mg (22%) Sodium 141mg (6%) Potassium 103mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 31g (62%) Vitamin A 566IU (11%) Vitamin C 0.04mg (0%) Calcium 58mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15cinnamon rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 398

% Daily Value*

Calories 398 20%
Carbohydrates 57g 19%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 66mg 22%
Sodium 141mg 6%
Potassium 103mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 31g 62%
Vitamin A 566IU 11%
Vitamin C 0.04mg 0%
Calcium 58mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.