Cinnamon rolls are a beloved pastry known for their sweet, warm, and comforting flavor. Made with soft, fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon, butter, and sugar, they’re baked to golden perfection and often topped with a rich glaze or cream cheese frosting. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, their irresistible aroma and tender texture make them a timeless favorite. Perfect for any occasion, cinnamon rolls bring warmth and joy with every delicious bite.
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Cinnamon Roll Recipe Summary
Dough Preparation : Start by combining warm milk, yeast, sugar, and flour to form a dough. Let it rise, then roll it out and spread a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon on top.
Shaping the Rolls : Roll the dough tightly, slice it into pieces, and let it rise again for about 30 minutes before baking.
Baking : Bake the cinnamon rolls at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and fluffy.
Frosting : For the frosting, blend powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and whipping cream until smooth. Spread it over the cooled rolls.
Storage and Reheating : Store cinnamon rolls at room temperature for a few days, or freeze unbaked or baked rolls for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a fresh, warm treat.
Why you should try this recipe?
These cinnamon rolls are made without eggs, but you’d never know it! They’re so fluffy and light, you’ll want to make them again and again. Trust me, once you try my cinnamon rolls, they’ll be your new favorite treat!
My cinnamon rolls are absolutely delicious and so easy to make! They’re soft, fluffy, and packed with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling that melts in your mouth. What makes them even better is that they’re made with simple ingredients and don’t require any eggs, so they’re perfect for everyone to enjoy.
First, the dough is incredibly easy to prepare. It comes together with basic ingredients like flour, milk, sugar, and oil. With just a little mixing and resting, it transforms into the softest, most pillowy dough.
Next, the filling is pure magic. The combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter creates a gooey, caramel-like center that tastes just like a bakery’s best rolls. Rolling and shaping the dough is simple, and the swirls turn out beautiful every time.
Finally, the cream cheese frosting takes these cinnamon rolls to another level. It’s smooth, tangy, and sweet—the perfect topping for warm rolls fresh out of the oven.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
Flour: Flour gives the dough structure and creates a soft, fluffy texture.
Warm Milk: Warm milk adds moisture and helps activate the yeast, making the dough rise.
Vegetable Oil: Oil keeps the dough tender and moist, making the rolls soft.
Sugar: Sugar sweetens the dough and helps the yeast rise.
Milk Powder: Milk powder adds a creamy flavor and makes the dough soft.
Salt: Salt balances the sweetness and strengthens the dough.
Yeast: Yeast helps the dough rise, creating light and fluffy rolls.
Baking Powder: Baking powder boosts fluffiness and helps the dough rise quickly.
Filling Ingredients
Softened Butter: Butter adds richness to the filling and helps the cinnamon-sugar stick.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and deepens the cinnamon flavor.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon gives the filling its warm, spiced flavor.
Topping (Frosting) Ingredients
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar forms the base of the frosting, making it smooth and sweet.
Softened Butter: Butter adds richness and a creamy texture to the frosting.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a tangy flavor and makes the frosting creamy.
Vanilla: Vanilla enhances the flavor of the frosting with a warm note.
Whipping Cream or Milk: Whipping cream or milk makes the frosting light and fluffy.
How to make cinnamon rolls
1 . First, in a bowl, I combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, yeast, milk powder, and 2 cups of flour. I mix everything well and then let it rest for about 10 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate.
2 . After 10 minutes, the mixture should have doubled in size. At this point, I add the oil, baking powder, and the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour. I mix it until a soft dough forms, and if the dough is too sticky, I gradually add a little more flour until it becomes smooth. Then, I let the dough rest for 5 minutes to set.
3 . Next, I sprinkle some flour on a flat surface and place the dough on it, rolling it out with a rolling pin until it’s evenly flattened.
4 . I mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then spread it evenly over the rolled-out dough.
5 . After that, I roll the dough tightly and seal the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out. I then cut the dough into 12 even pieces, making sure each roll is uniform.
6 . Grease a tray with butter or oil and arrange the cinnamon rolls in a single layer.
7 . Cover with a towel and let them rise for 30 minutes.
8 . Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.
9 . Once baked, let the rolls cool for a few minutes.
10 . While cooling, prepare the frosting by mixing powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and whipping cream until smooth.
11 . Once cooled, spread the frosting on the rolls and enjoy!
Tips for making the best cinnamon rolls
Check the Yeast: Test yeast with warm milk and sugar. If it doesn’t bubble after 5 minutes, use fresh yeast.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, cream cheese, and milk come to room temperature for smoother mixing.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix until just combined to keep the dough soft and smooth. Overworking can make the rolls tough.
Flour as Needed: As I roll out the dough, if it feels sticky, I add a little more flour. However, I try not to add too much flour, because it can make the cinnamon rolls dense. A little goes a long way.
Even Filling: I find that spreading the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly is key to getting consistent flavor in every bite. I make sure to cover the entire surface of the dough to ensure each roll is equally delicious.
Let the Rolls Rise: Patience is important when it comes to letting the dough rest and rise. I always give the dough enough time to rise properly, which helps create soft and fluffy rolls. If I rush this step, the rolls won’t be as light.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the rolls until golden brown to ensure they’re fully cooked, but avoid overbaking to prevent them from drying out.
Frosting Tip: Use softened butter and cream cheese for a smooth, creamy frosting.
Serve Warm: Frost the rolls right before serving for a gooey, delicious treat.
Store Properly: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze for longer storage and reheat in the microwave.
How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Rolls
Storing
Room Temperature: Store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing: For longer storage, cool the rolls completely, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Microwave: Heat a roll in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, covered with a damp paper towel, for a soft, warm treat.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the rolls with foil, and bake for about 10 minutes until warm
Freezing Baked Cinnamon Rolls
To reheat, thaw at room temperature and heat in the microwave or oven.
Let the rolls cool completely.
Wrap each roll in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag.
Freezing Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls
To bake, let them rise for 30-60 minutes before baking as usual.
After cutting, freeze the rolls on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours until firm.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze cinnamon rolls?
Yes, you can freeze both unbaked and baked cinnamon rolls. For unbaked rolls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer-safe bag. For baked rolls, let them cool, wrap them up, and freeze.
How long do cinnamon rolls stay fresh?
Cinnamon rolls stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. If frozen, they can last up to 3 months.
Can I bake frozen cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! Let frozen rolls rise for 30-60 minutes, then bake as usual.
How do I reheat cinnamon rolls?
To reheat, simply microwave them for 20-30 seconds, or bake in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Can I make cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare them the night before and store them in the fridge to bake fresh the next morning. Just allow them to rise before baking.
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Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup milk powder or coffee mate
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp yeast
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Filling:
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Topping frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar icing sugar
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup softened cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 to 4 tbsp whipping cream or 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, salt, yeast, milk powder, and 2 cups of flour. Mix well, then let it rest for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, the mixture will double in size. Add oil, baking powder, and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. If it’s sticky, gradually add a bit more flour until you get a soft, smooth dough. Let it rest for 5 minutes before using.
- Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface, then place the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin.
- Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then spread it evenly over the rolled-out dough.
- Roll the dough tightly and seal the edges. Cut it into 12 even pieces.
- Grease a tray with butter or oil, then place the cinnamon rolls on the tray.
- Cover the tray and let the rolls rest for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the cinnamon rolls for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool before adding the frosting.
- While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting.
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, blend the powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and whipping cream until smooth and fluffy.
- Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled, spread the frosting on top, and enjoy!