Nothing compares to the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home. This easy recipe promises soft, fluffy rolls swirled with buttery cinnamon goodness and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts perfectly into every groove.
Best of all, you can prepare them ahead of time, so there’s no need for an early morning rush.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
This cinnamon roll recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. It skips overly complicated techniques while delivering bakery-level results.
The secret lies in using warm milk and active yeast to create a pillowy dough, complemented by layers of brown sugar and cinnamon for that classic sweet-and-spicy flavor.
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The cream cheese frosting, whipped to creamy perfection, takes these rolls to the next level. It seeps into the warm rolls for a gooey, irresistible finish.
If you’ve ever been intimidated by making homemade cinnamon rolls, this recipe makes it approachable and rewarding.
Tips for Success
Making perfect cinnamon rolls doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are a few tips to make this recipe even easier:
- Use Bread Flour: Bread flour gives the rolls a chewier texture, but all-purpose flour works in a pinch.
- Warm Environment for Rising: If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in an oven set to its lowest temperature and then turned off.
- Roll Evenly: When shaping the dough into a rectangle, try to keep the thickness even to ensure consistent baking.
These tips simplify the process, ensuring perfect rolls every time.
Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? This easy cinnamon roll recipe is flexible enough for creativity:
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon sugar for added crunch.
- Make It Vegan: Swap out the milk, butter, and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives.
- Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips to the filling for a decadent twist.
These variations let you adapt the recipe to suit any preference or occasion.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Short on time? This recipe is ideal for meal prep or special gatherings. Simply prepare the rolls the day before, refrigerate them after the first rise, and bake fresh the next morning.
This method ensures you can wake up to warm, freshly baked rolls without the hassle.
Refrigerated dough can last 8–12 hours. When ready, let the rolls come to room temperature for about an hour before baking. You’ll enjoy all the benefits of homemade cinnamon rolls with half the effort.
Pro Tips for Baking
- Don’t Overbake: The rolls should be golden and soft, not dry. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center reaches 200°F.
- Generous Frosting: Spread the cream cheese frosting while the rolls are still warm for the ultimate gooey experience.
- Grease Your Pan: Butter the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and create those irresistible caramelized edges.
These steps make this recipe foolproof, yielding consistently excellent results.
This Easy Recipe Is Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s Christmas morning, a weekend brunch, or a simple weekday treat, these cinnamon rolls fit any occasion. Their gooey texture and rich frosting make them a crowd-pleaser that’s worth every bite.
Plus, the recipe’s flexibility ensures you can tweak it to fit your schedule or preferences.
With this easy recipe in your arsenal, you’ll never need store-bought cinnamon rolls again. Whip up a batch, savor the rich aroma, and enjoy the sweet reward of homemade baking.
This recipe is the perfect way to start any day on a delicious note!
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment (optional)
- Rolling Pin
- 9 × 13-inch nonstick metal baking pan
- Pastry brush
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
For the Rolls:
- 1 cup warm milk 110°F to 115°F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 cups bread flour plus more as needed
- Vegetable or extra-light olive oil for greasing
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 4 ounces plain cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar plus more to taste
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Whisk in the egg, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add flour, stirring until the dough is tacky but not sticky. Knead for 3 minutes until smooth. Let rise in a greased bowl for 1–1 ½ hours in a warm place, until doubled in size.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 17 × 10-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Shape the Rolls: Starting at one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal, then cut into 12 equal pieces. Place rolls in a greased 9 × 13-inch pan.
- Second Rise: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 45–60 minutes until visibly puffed.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush rolls with melted butter and bake for 20–22 minutes, until golden and centers register 200°F. Let cool slightly.
- Make the Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla, confectioners’ sugar, and salt, beating until creamy. Adjust sugar to taste.
- Frost and Serve: Generously spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.