Soft, fluffy, and swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar — the perfect homemade treat.
Warm, pillowy cinnamon rolls with gooey centers and golden tops are the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re baking for a special brunch, weekend treat, or holiday breakfast, these homemade cinnamon rolls will impress every time.
Time Required
-
Prep Time: 30 minutes
-
First Rise: 1 hour
-
Second Rise: 30–40 minutes
-
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
-
Total Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients (Makes 12 Rolls)
For the Dough:
-
120 ml (½ cup) warm milk (about 40–43°C / 105–110°F)
-
120 ml (½ cup) warm water (same temp as milk)
-
50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
-
2¼ tsp (1 packet / 7 g) instant dry yeast
-
1 large egg, room temperature
-
60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened
-
½ tsp salt
-
400–450 g (3⅓ to 3¾ cups) all-purpose flour, as needed
For the Filling:
-
60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened
-
100 g (½ cup) brown sugar, packed
-
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Egg Wash:
-
1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk, beaten (optional, for shine)
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
-
Warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast.
Stir and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes foamy on top — this means the yeast is active.
Tip: If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired or the liquid was too hot/cold.
2. Make the Dough
Add to the yeast mixture:
-
Egg, softened butter, and salt. Stir to combine.
Gradually mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. You may not need all the flour. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
3. Knead the Dough
Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a dough hook in a stand mixer, until the dough is smooth, soft, and elastic.
Shape the dough into a ball.
4. First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
️ Pro Tip: Use your oven’s proofing setting or turn the oven light on (without heat) to create a warm environment.
5. Prepare the Filling
While the dough is rising, mix together in a small bowl:
-
Softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon
Stir until a smooth paste forms.
6. Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently and transfer to a lightly floured surface.
Roll into a rectangle approximately 12×9 inches (30×23 cm), with the long side facing you.
7. Spread the Filling
Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar butter over the rolled-out dough, leaving a ½-inch margin at the top edge to seal the roll.
8. Shape and Slice
Roll up the dough tightly from the long side, jelly-roll style.
Pinch the edge to seal. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss.
9. Second Rise
Place the rolls, swirl-side up, into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking tray or large round pan.
Cover lightly and let them rise again in a warm place for 30–40 minutes, until puffy.
10. Bake
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Brush the tops of the rolls with egg wash for a golden finish (optional).
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown on top.
11. Cool Slightly
Let the cinnamon rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the centers to set slightly while staying gooey.
Optional Glaze (Classic Cream Cheese Frosting)
For an extra indulgent finish, spread with this glaze while the rolls are still slightly warm:
-
60 g (¼ cup) cream cheese, softened
-
30 g (2 tbsp) butter, softened
-
100 g (¾ cup) powdered sugar, sifted
-
½ tsp vanilla extract
-
1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Mix until smooth, then drizzle or spread over the warm rolls.
Storage & Reheating
-
Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
-
Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or cover the whole pan with foil and warm in a 170°C (340°F) oven for 10 minutes.
❄️ Freezing: Freeze baked and unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before frosting.
️ Serving Suggestions
-
Serve warm with coffee, chai, or hot chocolate.
-
Add chopped pecans or raisins in the filling for variation.
-
Make mini rolls using a smaller cut for bite-sized treats.
Final Notes
These homemade cinnamon rolls deliver soft layers, gooey swirls of cinnamon sugar, and bakery-style flavor with minimal effort. With or without frosting, they’re crowd-pleasers that bring comfort to any table.
Leave a Reply