Cinnamon Rolls

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These Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are the best sweet treat. They’re baked to soft, fluffy, golden-brown perfection, layered with brown sugar and cinnamon, then drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze. 

Side view of a pan of sweet breakfast rolls.

Serve these rolls for breakfast, with a steaming hot bowl of your favorite chili, or as dessert! 

Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Who doesn’t love biting into a soft, warm, gooey, sweet, pillowy cinnamon roll? I know I do. And these easy homemade cinnamon rolls are probably my favorite recipe. 

These easy cinnamon rolls are simple to prep and come out perfectly every time. They’re soft and pillowy with the best golden-brown finish, layered with the perfect amount of cinnamon and brown sugar, and topped with a simple and sweet icing. 

Tips and Notes

Here are a few of my best tips for making these easy cinnamon rolls even easier:

  • Use room temperature ingredients. Bringing both the butter and eggs to room temperature first helps them incorporate more easily into the dough.
  • Check your yeast. Make sure the yeast you use isn’t expired. Don’t grab the yeast you’ve had in the back of your pantry for years. If it’s expired, the dough won’t rise! 
  • Check the temp of the liquids. A thermometer is necessary. The liquid mixture needs to be between 110ºF and 115ºF. If it’s too cool, the yeast won’t activate. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast. For more details, check out this post on how to activate yeast.
  • Add flour as needed. If the dough is too wet and sticky, add ¼ cup flour at a time until you get a smooth, soft, elastic texture.
  • Roll the dough to ¼ inch to ½ inch thickness. Thinner dough will result in more rolls, but less “bread-y” rolls. Thicker dough will give you fewer rolls, but they will have a fluffier texture.
  • Roll tightly…but not too tight. We want the dough to be rolled up tightly enough that it holds together, but not so tight that there’s no space for the rolls to expand. 
  • Cut into even slices. Whatever the thickness of your dough, make sure you slice it into even pieces so they all bake at the same rate. 
  • To let the dough rise, we like to preheat the oven first, then set the baking dish on top of the stove. It typically takes somewhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on the temperature of the kitchen.
  • If you like a lot of icing, double the batch! 
Close up view of a cinnamon roll on a plate.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Finished cinnamon rolls will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also leave them unfrosted and store them at room temperature for 2-3 days. 

Freezing: Cinnamon rolls can be frozen, but I recommend doing so without the icing. To freeze the rolls, let them cool completely, wrap them tightly in a couple layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, then store them for up to 1 month.

Reheating: To warm your cinnamon rolls, let them thaw fully in the fridge if frozen, then warm either in the microwave or oven and add the icing if needed! 

Sweet glaze being drizzled over cinnamon rolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Adjust Baking for High Altitude?

These cinnamon rolls are simple, but cinnamon rolls in general can be a little bit finicky. So, if you live at a different altitude, in a different climate, or you’re even experiencing different weather, the recipe can change slightly.

Here are a few potential adjustments you may need to make:

  • Flour: I’ve used anywhere from 2½ cups of flour to over 4½ in different places. My best tip is to start with less, then add more as needed. You can always add more, but you can’t take any out! 
  • Bake time and temp: If you live in the mountains, you will likely need to adjust both the oven temperature and the baking time. Check out this article on high altitude baking for more tips.

Can You Make Cinnamon Rolls Ahead of Time?

Totally! This cinnamon roll recipe makes an excellent make-ahead breakfast option. 

To prep them ahead of time, assemble as directed, then bake at 325ºF for just 15 minutes. Cool the rolls completely, then place the whole pan into a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you’re ready to serve, thaw the rolls completely, then bake until golden-brown. 

For more detailed instructions on par-baking and freezing, check out this post on how to freeze cinnamon buns.

How Do You Keep Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Soft?

Cinnamon rolls should always be soft and fluffy. Never tough and chewy! Here are a few tips to keep the rolls nice and soft…even the leftovers!

  • Activate the yeast properly. I’ve already mentioned this, but it really is so important. Make sure you use fresh yeast, then make sure your liquids are between 110ºF and 115ºF in order to activate it. The yeast is what makes the dough rise.
  • Don’t over-measure your flour. Start with less, then add more only as you need. Too much flour will dry out the dough.
  • Don’t over-mix the dough. Once the dough is the right texture, leave it alone. The more you mix, the tougher it will get.
  • Watch the bake time. Baking time can vary, so take my 25 minutes as an estimate. Make sure you keep an eye on the rolls so as not to over-bake them. As soon as they are that perfect golden-brown color, remove them from the oven. 
  • Store in an airtight container. The more air can reach the rolls, the more quickly they’ll dry out.

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Side view of sweet buns in a baking dish.

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

4.7 from 93 votes
Print Pin
Author: Kimberly
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Roll Dough:

  • 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 standard packet
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten (at room temperature)

For the Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (or more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, or more to taste

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk, adjusted to desired consistency
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

To Make the Dough:

  • Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • To the bowl of a stand mixer, add 2 ½ cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Whisk to combine.
    3 tablespoons granulated sugar
    1 teaspoon kosher salt
    2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • In a microwave safe bowl or over the stovetop, heat the water, milk, and butter to about 110°F to 115°F. Pour the mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer along with the dry ingredients along with the softened butter and egg.
    ½ cup water
    ¼ cup whole milk
    3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    1 large egg
  • Using a dough hook, mix on a low setting until the dough comes together. If the dough is too wet, add remaining flour ¼ cup at a time to form a soft, smooth, elastic dough. Then continue to mix at low-medium speed for an additional 5 to 6 minutes. Next, allow the dough to rest in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • After the dough rests, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape about ¼-inch to ½-inch thick.

To Make the Filling:

  • Use a spatula to spread the softened butter on the rectangle of dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the softened butter.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
    ½ cup light brown sugar
    1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Beginning with the short side of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough so the cinnamon and sugar are on the inside. Use a sharp knife, dough scraper, or dental floss to cut the rolled dough into 12 even pieces.
  • Place the cut dough into the prepared baking dish and cover with a clean towel. Transfer the dough to a warm, draft-free place and allow it to rise until doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Once the cinnamon rolls have doubled in size, bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool until just slightly warm before adding the icing.

For the Icing:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla. Add more milk until the desired consistency is reached.
    1 cup powdered sugar
    2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Use a spatula to smooth over slightly warm cinnamon rolls. Enjoy!
  • See post for tips, FAQs, and storage options.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cinnamon roll | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Notes

*Environmental factors cause the amount of flour required to vary slightly by region.  We’ve linked to a great resource in the tips section of the post.
 
*We have not tried to substitute ingredients such as gluten-free flour, bread flour, almond milk, soy milk, etc. and cannot provide recommendations on the use of alternate ingredients.
 
*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cinnamon roll. Actual calories will vary.
 
*Doubling or tripling this recipe has not been tested. Therefore, we can not guarantee the outcome of adjusting the ingredients.
 
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85 Comments

  1. Very easy. wonderful aroma while baking reminded me as a child while Mom making them. Soft, fluffy and taste wonderful.

  2. Delicious! Very happy with this recipe. My mixer couldn’t handle the dough so I had to knees by hand. Still turned out great and I got a quick arm workout! 😂

    1. Thank you DeDe, we’re thrilled you enjoyed the cinnamon rolls and got an arm workout as well lol! Have a lovely day 🙂

    1. Hi Kelsey!

      The butter needs to be softened and the milk and water should be warmed. That’s listed in the recipe, so as long as you follow it, you should be good! I always use an egg right out of the fridge. It would work fine at room temperature, too. Although, it’s not necessary. Hope that helps! 🙂

  3. These are perfect! 😋
    I followed the recipe with active yeast, I don’t have a stand mixer so I used my bread machine for mixing and kneading then let it rest 5 minutes rolled out, added filling rolled up and cut into rolls.
    My house is cold so I placed plastic wrap (sprayed with Pam) on the top and placed in my microwave and prompt the door with the end of a spoon so the light would stay on, (that’s how I get my breads to rise)🤷🏻‍♀️ I set my timer for 1 hour to rise then baked at 350’ for 25 minutes let cool and topped with icing.
    I love baking breads (I’m not that good at it yet) and I never uses my bread machine I don’t like the breads I’ve baked in it, this was my first time to use it for mixing and kneading and it worked! 😉

    1. Hi Carol!

      Thanks so much for the comment! I love your workaround for proofing dough in the microwave. That’s a great tip!

      I use our new bread maker more for kneading than actually making bread. Lol! It comes in handy. We’re so happy the cinnamon rolls turned out and that you enjoyed them. Have a wonderful evening! 🙂

  4. I just wanted to say they are so easy to make and that is alot I am terrifed of yeast dough but I did activate it separately and worked wonderfully also I let them raise on the stove my family loved them they were gone by the next day been requested to please make more I would recommend this recipe to anyone !

    1. Hi Shirley!

      We are so happy to hear that, and thrilled that your family enjoyed the cinnamon rolls! 🙂 Thank you so much for coming back to comment. We hope you have a wonderful week!

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