Description
These Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are a quick, easy, and delicious treat featuring soft, fluffy dough and a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting snack, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and offers customizable options to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour – 3 ½ cups
- Active Dry Yeast – 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet)
- Warm Milk – 1 cup (around 110°F / 43°C)
- Sugar (White) – ¼ cup
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Egg – 1 large
- Butter (melted) – ¼ cup
Filling Ingredients
- Butter (softened) – ½ cup
- Brown Sugar – 1 cup
- Cinnamon – 2 tablespoons
Optional Glaze Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar – 1 cup
- Cream Cheese – 4 oz (softened)
- Milk – 1–2 tablespoons (or vanilla extract to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Warm milk until just warm to the touch and stir in yeast with a pinch of sugar. Let activate until foamy, about 5–7 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, white sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and combine until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Roll and Add Filling: Roll dough into a 12 x 16 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle thoroughly with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Shape and Slice: Starting from one long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into 9–12 equal rolls. Place cut side up in a greased baking dish, leaving space between rolls.
- Final Rise and Bake: Cover rolls and let rise 20 minutes more for extra fluffiness. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Glaze (Optional): While baking, mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, and a splash of milk or vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle warm glaze over hot cinnamon rolls immediately after baking for a gooey finish.
Notes
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Do not skip kneading to achieve perfect texture and rise.
- Use freshly ground cinnamon for best aroma and flavor.
- Roll dough tight enough to hold filling without being too tight to prevent uneven baking.
- Cover dough during rising to avoid crust formation and keep rolls soft.
- Use an oven thermometer to maintain accurate baking temperature.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg