The ultimate cinnamon rolls! They're big, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious with my homemade cream cheese icing. Once you try this recipe, you won't go back. You can make them overnight, prep ahead, or freeze for later enjoyment.
When it comes to parties and entertaining, these cinnamon rolls are one of our go-to dessert recipes along with monkey bread muffins, the hot chocolate cupcakes, and lofthouse cookies.
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🛒Ingredients
- Flour - provides structure to the dough. All-purpose flour works best, but bread flour can be used for chewier rolls.
- Sugar - adds flavor and feeds the yeast in the dough.
- Yeast - for this recipe, consider using quick rise or instant yeast for faster rising. You can also use active dry yeast, but it may take a bit longer for the cinnamon rolls to rise. Here are some key ingredients:
- Whole milk - best for richness, but buttermilk or non-dairy milks can be substituted.
- Butter - adds richness and softness to the dough.
- Egg - contributes to the softness and richness of the dough.
- Brown sugar - dark brown sugar adds a robust molasses flavor to the cinnamon swirls, but light brown sugar works too.
- Cinnamon - plenty of cinnamon adds warmth to these rolls, with a couple of full tablespoon in the filling.
- Cream cheese - for the thick frosting but you can also make a simple powdered sugar glaze like I did in my blueberry bread (instead of lemon juice, use milk).
For the full list of ingredients, please scroll down to where you'll find the recipe card.
Why do my cinnamon rolls rise unevenly when baking?
Uneven rising during baking can occur if the cinnamon rolls are rolled too tightly or if the pan is too small or crowded. To fix this, simply remove the pan from the oven and gently press down the overly risen parts with the back of a spoon.
📋Tips
- Allow rolls to rise in a warm, draft-free environment. Cinnamon rolls may not be fluffy if the dough doesn't rise enough. It's essential that the shaped rolls double in size before baking for optimal fluffiness.
- For the filling, you can use either brown sugar or granulated sugar according to your preference.
- A 9x13-inch glass or metal pan works best; avoid ceramic pans as they may require longer baking.
- To ensure even baking, tent aluminum foil over the rolls after 15 minutes in the oven.
- Use the right amount of flour. Adding too much flour can result in dense, dry rolls. Only add enough to achieve a kneadable consistency.
- Avoid overheating the yeast. Ensure the butter/milk mixture is warm to the touch (around 100–110°F or 38–43°C) to prevent killing the yeast, which could hinder the rising process.
- Cut rolls with a sharp knife. This prevents them from getting squished down during cutting.
How To Store Cinnamon Rolls
- 🍱To Store. Unfrosted baked cinnamon rolls are good at room temperature for around two days. Frosted ones can be refrigerated for about four days.
- 🥶Freezing. My favorite way to freeze these: bake the rolls for about 10 minutes, then allow them to cool completely before covering and freezing. When ready to serve, thaw the rolls overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, finish baking them for approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Make Ahead. Make these cinnamon rolls the night before. After cutting and placing them in the baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. They'll rise slowly overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as usual!
More Dessert Recipes
📖Recipe
How To Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For Cinnamon Rolls
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon instant yeast
- ½ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
For the Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounce Philadelphia cheese
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make Cinnamon Roll Dough
- Combine milk, yeast, and sugar in a small saucepan, heating gently until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat.¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoon instant yeast, ½ cup milk, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, softened butter, salt, and mix thoroughly. Add an egg and pour in the warmed milk-water mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 large egg
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling by combining softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until well mixed.½ cup unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, ¾ cup brown sugar
- Once the dough has risen, deflate it by punching it down. Roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
- Evenly spread the filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll the dough tightly from one of the longer sides into a log shape and pinch the seam to seal.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 9 or 12 equal-sized pieces.
- Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving space between each roll. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
Make The Cream Cheese Glaze
- While the cinnamon rolls bake, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, soft cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth.8 ounce Philadelphia cheese, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar
- Once the cinnamon rolls are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
- Drizzle the warm cinnamon rolls with the prepared glaze.
Notes
- Bakin pan - 7x 7 square pan or 9x13
❤️Did you make this recipe? Please be sure to leave a rating and a comment below. Thank you!❤️
🥣Step-By-Step Photos
Make Cinnamon Rolls
Combine milk, yeast and sugar in a small saucepan, heating gently until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, salt, and butter mix thoroughly. Add an egg and pour in the warmed milk-water mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare The Filling
While the dough rises, prepare the filling by combining softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until well mixed.
Once the dough has risen, deflate it by punching it down. Roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Evenly spread the filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Roll the dough tightly from one of the longer sides into a log shape and pinch the seam to seal.
Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 9 or 12 equal-sized pieces.
Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving space between each roll. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the cinnamon rolls for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
Prepare The Cream Cheese Glaze
While the cinnamon rolls bake, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, soft cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Once the cinnamon rolls are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Drizzle the warm cinnamon rolls with the prepared glaze.
Serve and enjoy the warm, gooey cinnamon rolls with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful treat. Cinnamon Roll Delight is now ready to be served.
enjoy delicious soft and fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls!