April 20 2025

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Name: Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 150 min
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk; 2 1/4 tsp yeast; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 1/3 cup butter (melted); 1 tsp salt; 4 cups flour; 1/2 cup butter (softened); 1 cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp cinnamon; 4 oz cream cheese; 1/4 cup butter; 1 –1.5 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla

Khemit Easy Recipes, Recipe Ideas 0

There’s just something magical about the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls swirling through the house.

It’s warm, cozy, and downright irresistible.

These beauties are soft, gooey, full of cinnamon-sugar goodness, and made with love, like the kind of treat you’d make on a lazy Sunday with your favorite playlist in the background.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls: Step-by-Step Instructions (Including Ingredients)

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk (not hot!)
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp salt
4 cups all-purpose flour (plus a little more for dusting)

For the Filling:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 to 1.5 cups powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Step 1: Wake up the yeast

In a large mixing bowl, pour in the warm milk and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it looks a little foamy on top. This means your yeast is alive and ready to roll.

Step 2: Make the dough

Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the milk-yeast mix. Stir well. Gradually add the flour, about a cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but not wet.

Step 3: Knead it

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes. Or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes. The dough should be smooth and springy.

Step 4: Let it rise

Put the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours. It should double in size.

Step 5: Make the filling

While your dough is rising, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until it becomes a thick paste. This is what makes your rolls irresistible.

Step 6: Roll it out

Once the dough has risen, punch it down (the most satisfying part), then roll it out into a big rectangle, about 16×12 inches.

Step 7: Spread the love

Evenly spread your cinnamon-sugar filling all over the dough. Don’t skimp. Get it into the corners.

Step 8: Roll it up

Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice it into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or unflavored dental (yep, works like magic).

Step 9: Second rise

Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover with a towel and let them rise for 30–45 minutes. They should puff up and snuggle next to each other.

Step 10: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Don’t overbake unless you enjoy heartbreak.

Step 11: Make the frosting

While the rolls are baking, mix all frosting ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Step 12: Frost them while warm

As soon as those cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, spread that dreamy cream cheese frosting on top. It’ll melt right in.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Killing the yeast: Too hot milk = dead yeast. Aim for warm, not boiling.
Too much flour: It makes the dough tough. Stop adding once the dough pulls away from the bowl.
Rolling too loose: You want tight spirals. Roll with purpose.
Not letting them rise enough: Under-proofed dough = dense rolls.
Overbaking: 5 extra minutes can take you from soft and gooey to dry and sad.

Recipe Best Tips

⑴ Use room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs.

⑵ Dental floss makes perfect cuts without squishing the dough.

⑶ Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting if you want a thicker layer that doesn’t melt in.

⑷ Want overnight cinnamon rolls? After step 9, cover and put them in the fridge. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts before rolling for a bit of crunch.
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top before serving.
Want a brunch spread? Pair these with scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and mimosas.

Storage and Freezing

① To store: Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5.

② To reheat: Warm them up in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.

③ To freeze: Freeze unfrosted rolls after baking. Wrap individually and store up to 2 months. Thaw and frost when ready to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?
A: Yep! Skip the blooming step and mix it right into the flour.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Totally. Assemble the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temp before baking.

Q: Why didn’t my rolls rise?
A: Your yeast may have been expired, or the environment was too cold. Try placing them near a warm oven.

Q: Can I skip the cream cheese frosting?
A: You could, but why would you? You can sub with a simple vanilla glaze if you prefer.

Q: Can I add nuts or raisins?
A: Yes! Fold them into the filling before rolling the dough.

Q: What flour works best?
A: All-purpose flour works great, but you can use bread flour for chewier rolls.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: You bet. Just use two pans or a larger baking tray.

Conclusion

And there you have it. The dreamiest, coziest cinnamon rolls you’ll ever make at home.

If you whip up a batch, don’t be shy, drop a pic and let us know how yours turned out. 💛

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