Why Make This Recipe
Homemade cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat that can brighten any morning. They are soft, gooey, and filled with sweet cinnamon goodness. Making them from scratch is not only rewarding, but it also fills your home with a wonderful aroma that makes everyone eager to dig in. Sharing these warm rolls with family and friends will create lasting memories.
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 1⁄4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1⁄4 cup lukewarm water
- 1 1⁄2 cups milk (warm, scalded and cooled to warm)
- 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 5 1⁄2 to 6 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- Ground cinnamon
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Directions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, eggs, and yeast mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, then place it in a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
- Roll up the dough tightly and slice into rolls. Place in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- For the icing, beat together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls are best served warm. You can enjoy them as a breakfast treat or dessert. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea to enhance the experience. They can be served on a nice plate, drizzled with icing, and garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon for that extra touch.
How to Store Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
To store leftover cinnamon rolls, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Tips to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Make sure your milk is warm but not hot when adding the yeast.
- Knead the dough well for a soft and fluffy texture.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour as needed while kneading.
- Be generous with the cinnamon filling for a more flavorful roll.
- Don’t skip the second rise; it makes your rolls even fluffier.
Variation
You can customize your cinnamon rolls by adding nuts, raisins, or even chocolate chips to the filling. Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or cardamom for a unique flavor. For a different twist, try swapping the icing with a simple glaze made with lemon juice and powdered sugar.
FAQs
1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast. Just mix it directly with the flour and skip the step of dissolving it in water.
2. What if I don’t have cream cheese for the icing?
You can replace cream cheese with butter for a different flavor. Just whip the butter until it’s creamy and mix in powdered sugar and milk.
3. How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
The rolls are done when they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use a toothpick to check for doneness; it should come out clean.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 105 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls filled with sweet cinnamon goodness, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 1⁄4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1⁄4 cup lukewarm water
- 1 1⁄2 cups warm milk (scalded and cooled to warm)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 5 1⁄2 to 6 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- Ground cinnamon
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, eggs, and the yeast mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, then place it in a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise until doubled in size, about 60 minutes.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Roll up the dough tightly and slice into rolls. Place in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- For the icing, beat together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
Notes
Serve warm and pair with coffee or tea. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or refrigerate for a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: cinnamon rolls, breakfast, dessert, homemade, baking
