Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home, right? I absolutely love this Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe because it’s simple enough to make any day feel special, yet yields soft, fluffy rolls loaded with cinnamon-sugar goodness and topped with that perfectly creamy cream cheese icing. If you’ve been wanting to master cinnamon rolls from scratch without getting overwhelmed, stick with me here — you’re going to be so proud (and full) when these come out of your oven.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, let’s talk about the magic happening in this dough and filling. The balance of yeast, butter, and sugar works beautifully to get those rolls tender and fluffy, while the cinnamon and brown sugar filling bring warm sweetness everyone loves.

• All-purpose flour: Spoon & level for accuracy—this makes sure your dough isn’t too sticky or dry.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness to the dough base.
• Salt: It enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Whole milk: Warmed just right to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Unsalted butter: Used both in the dough and for the filling — makes everything rich and tender.
• Instant yeast: Platinum Yeast from Red Star is my go-to, but any instant yeast packet will do.
• Large egg: Room temperature eggs help with the dough’s texture and rise.
• Brown sugar: Packed light or dark—both add that luscious caramel flavor inside the rolls.
• Ground cinnamon: The star spice—freshly ground if possible for maximum aroma.
• Cream cheese (full-fat block): Softened for a smooth, decadent frosting.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For that sweet, silky icing consistency.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash adds depth to the frosting.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own! I’ve tried a few twists over the years, and you’ll discover your favorites, too.

• Glaze instead of cream cheese icing: I sometimes swap the frosting for a simple powdered sugar glaze to keep things lighter and less sweet.
• Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts folded into the cinnamon sugar filling add a welcome crunch.
• Swap spices: Experiment with cardamom or nutmeg mixed in with the cinnamon for a more complex flavor.
• Vegan version: Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk to make vegan-friendly cinnamon rolls.

How to Make Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Bring the Dough Together

Start by whisking all your dry ingredients together — that’s your flour, sugar, and salt. Meanwhile, melt the butter into warm milk (about 110°F). It’s super important not to let the milk get too hot or it’ll kill the yeast. Once the butter’s melted and the mixture is warm, sprinkle in the yeast and whisk until it dissolves. Pour that into the dry ingredients, add your room temperature egg, and mix until it forms a soft dough. I use my stand mixer for this because it’s easier, but you can totally do it by hand with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Knead to Smooth Perfection

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes. This helps develop the gluten so your rolls get that beautiful lift and texture. Your dough should feel smooth and springy but still a bit tacky. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a little extra flour — but be careful not to add too much. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover it loosely, and let it rest while you prep your filling.

Step 3: Roll, Fill, and Cut

After about 10 minutes, roll out that dough into roughly a 14 x 8-inch rectangle. Slather on the softened butter, then sprinkle your cinnamon and brown sugar mixture evenly over the top. Now comes the fun part: carefully roll it into a 14-inch log, making sure it’s tight but not squished. Use a sharp knife to slice it into 10–12 even rolls — I find using dental floss or unflavored thread works wonders here to avoid squashing them.

Step 4: Let Those Rolls Rise

Place the rolls snugly into your greased baking pan and cover with a cloth, foil, or plastic wrap. Let them rise in a warm spot for 60–90 minutes until they double in size. I usually put mine in the oven with just the light on — it creates a cozy spot. The smell at this stage? Incredible.

Step 5: Bake and Frost

Preheat your oven to 375°F while your rolls finish rising. Bake for 24–27 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t get too brown (tent with foil if needed). Once out of the oven, let them cool just a bit before spreading on the luscious cream cheese frosting I always make while they bake. It’s seriously the icing on the cake — or the roll, rather!

How to Serve Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I love a classic cream cheese frosting, of course, but sometimes I sprinkle a few chopped pecans or a light drizzle of caramel sauce over the top for a fancy touch. Fresh fruit on the side can brighten things up, especially citrus like orange slices to cut through the sweetness.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine as a brunch star, especially paired with hot coffee or chai tea. For a fuller meal, I like serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a simple fruit salad for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays, I arrange them in a circle and drizzle rainbow sprinkles atop the cream cheese icing. They also make adorable grab-and-go treats when baked in muffin tins — just bake the same dough in muffin cups for mini cinnamon roll bites!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying some warm, fresh rolls, I tightly cover leftovers with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They keep great for up to 5 days in the fridge, and honestly, they’re just as tasty cold or warmed slightly.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both unbaked rolls (after slicing and placing in the pan) and fully baked ones. For unbaked, cover the pan tightly and freeze, then thaw and rise before baking. Baked rolls freeze well wrapped individually — thaw overnight in the fridge and warm when ready.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is to warm individually sealed rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop them in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. Adding a tiny splash of water before reheating helps maintain moisture and makes them taste freshly baked again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the one I turn to when I want to impress friends or just relish a cozy weekend morning. The combination of soft dough, a buttery cinnamon swirl, and that luscious cream cheese icing is pure comfort. You’ll find baking these from scratch isn’t as tricky as you thought, and the reward definitely beats store-bought. Trust me, once you try this recipe, your family will be asking for them on repeat, just like mine do!

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