There is something magical about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. It drifts through the house, sweet and spicy, wrapping every corner in warmth.
For me, cinnamon rolls will forever be tied to Saturday mornings at my grandmother’s kitchen table. She always wore her apron dusted with flour and kept a pot of coffee brewing.
By the time the rolls came out of the oven, sticky and golden, the whole family was already gathered, waiting with plates in hand.
This recipe has become my go-to for birthdays, holiday mornings, or even just a rainy Sunday when comfort is needed. Nothing brings people together quite like a pan of soft, gooey cinnamon rolls topped with creamy frosting.
They feel indulgent but familiar, a reminder that simple ingredients, flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon, can create something extraordinary.
Whether you’re baking for your kids before school, surprising a friend with a warm pan, or treating yourself after a long week, this recipe is one you’ll treasure.
Each bite is tender, swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar, and finished with just the right amount of frosting. It’s not just breakfast. It’s a little slice of joy you can share.
Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Roll Out the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 16×12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Add the Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough. Add optional nuts or raisins.
- Shape the Rolls: Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts.
- Second Rise: Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts slightly into the swirls. Serve immediately and enjoy.
About the Recipe
What makes this the best cinnamon roll recipe is its balance of simplicity and bakery-worthy results. The dough is soft, slightly sweet, and easy to work with, even if you’re new to baking with yeast.
The filling melts into gooey swirls of cinnamon sugar, and the cream cheese frosting is smooth and luscious without being overpowering.
This recipe yields about 12 large rolls, which makes it perfect for a family breakfast, holiday brunch, or potluck treat. You can prepare the rolls the night before and bake them fresh in the morning, or freeze extras to have a little sweetness waiting whenever you need it.
Another thing I love about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can add nuts, raisins, or even a sprinkle of cardamom to make it your own.
The rolls rise beautifully and bake up with golden tops and tender centers, making every bite as satisfying as the first. Foolproof and comforting, these cinnamon rolls are a recipe worth keeping in your back pocket.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins in the filling.
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Roll Out the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 16×12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Add the Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough. Add optional nuts or raisins.
- Shape the Rolls: Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts.
- Second Rise: Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts slightly into the swirls. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips for Success
The key to perfect cinnamon rolls starts with the yeast. Make sure your milk is warm but not hot, around 110°F, so it activates without killing the yeast. If your yeast doesn’t foam after 5 minutes, it may be expired and you’ll need to start over. Fresh yeast makes all the difference.
When rolling out the dough, don’t worry if it’s not a perfect rectangle. Imperfections make homemade rolls charming. The most important part is to spread the filling evenly so every bite has that gooey cinnamon sugar goodness.
Cutting the rolls with dental floss instead of a knife is another trick to keep them neat and round.
Finally, resist the urge to overbake. Cinnamon rolls should be soft and slightly underdone in the center to keep that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Once you see light golden tops, they’re ready. And don’t skip frosting while warm, the creamy topping seeps into the swirls, making them irresistible.
What Goes Well With It
Cinnamon rolls pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. There’s something about sipping a rich, dark roast alongside the sweet, spiced rolls that feels like the perfect morning ritual. On chilly days, try them with a mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream.
For brunch, serve these rolls alongside a savory dish like scrambled eggs or a simple frittata. The balance of sweet and savory keeps everyone satisfied.
And for dessert lovers, nothing beats a warm cinnamon roll topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it melts right into the swirls, creating the most heavenly treat.
They’re also a hit at gatherings. Bring a pan of these rolls to a potluck, holiday brunch, or book club meeting, and they’ll disappear before you know it. Soft, sweet, and shareable, they’re a crowd-pleaser in any setting.
Nutrition & Health Benefits
While cinnamon rolls are an indulgence, they also have a few sneaky benefits. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and has been shown to help balance blood sugar. It adds that familiar warmth and spice while giving your body a little boost.
The eggs and milk in the dough provide protein and essential vitamins, while the butter adds richness and helps keep the rolls tender. If you sprinkle in nuts, you’ll add healthy fats, fiber, and extra crunch. Raisins bring natural sweetness along with iron and potassium.
Of course, these rolls are meant to be enjoyed in moderation. They’re a special-occasion food that brings joy, comfort, and togetherness. Sharing them with loved ones is part of their magic, and that alone is a benefit to your heart and soul.
How to Store & Reheat
At room temperature, these cinnamon rolls stay fresh for up to 2 days if covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
They also freeze beautifully. Wrap individual rolls in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. This makes it easy to pull out a single roll whenever you’re craving a sweet breakfast or snack.
To reheat, warm rolls in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds or pop them in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To keep that gooey texture, avoid overheating, which can dry them out.
Closing Personal Touch
In my home, cinnamon rolls have become a little tradition. My kids peek into the oven as the rolls puff up, and the first swirl always disappears before I’ve even finished frosting the rest. It’s messy, sweet, and full of laughter, the kind of memory I hope they’ll carry with them.
Every time I bake these, I think back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She may not have measured everything perfectly, but her rolls always turned out just right because they were made with love. That’s the secret ingredient in this recipe too.
So whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special brunch, or just to brighten a quiet morning, I hope these cinnamon rolls bring as much joy to your table as they have to mine. Bake a batch, share a few, and savor every warm, gooey bite.
