Easy Cinnamon Rolls (from scratch)

There’s something magical about warm, sweet cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. They fill your home with delicious smells and bring a sense of comfort that few treats can match. Making cinnamon rolls from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This easy recipe helps you create soft, fluffy rolls with gooey cinnamon and sugar filling, all topped off with a creamy icing that will make your taste buds sing.

Why Make This Recipe

Making cinnamon rolls from scratch is a rewarding experience. You can control the ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality. Plus, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a warm roll, straight from the oven, made with care. This specific recipe is perfect for beginners. It is easy to follow and takes less time than you might think, making it a great weekend treat or breakfast for a special occasion. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll impress family and friends alike!

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 2 and 3/4 cups (344g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk
• 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter
• 2 and 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star or any instant yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, extra softened
• 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 4 ounces (113g) full-fat block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2/3 cup (80g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a heatproof bowl, combine the milk and butter. Heat in the microwave or on the stove until the butter melts and the mixture feels warm (about 110°F/43°C). Whisk in the yeast until it dissolves.
3. Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the egg, and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough with floured hands for 3-5 minutes until smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover loosely, and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
5. Roll the dough out into a 14×8-inch (36×20-cm) rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar, then sprinkle it over the dough.
6. Roll up the dough to make a long log. Cut it into 10-12 even rolls and place them in a lightly greased round or square baking pan.
7. Cover the pan with foil, plastic wrap, or a clean kitchen towel and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until they double in size.
8. Once the rolls have risen, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 24-27 minutes, or until lightly browned. If the tops are browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
9. When done, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack while you prepare the icing.
10. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese on high speed until creamy. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Then, beat in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until combined.
11. Spread the icing over the warm rolls, and serve immediately.
12. Store leftover rolls tightly to keep them fresh.

How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Rolls

These scrumptious cinnamon rolls are best served warm, straight from the oven. They make a fantastic breakfast or a delightful snack throughout the day. You can also enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a special treat.

How to Store Easy Cinnamon Rolls

If you have any leftover rolls (though they are hard to resist!), store them tightly covered at room temperature for a day or keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds until warm.

Tips to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls

• Make sure your milk and butter mixture is warm but not too hot, as high temperatures can kill the yeast.
• If the dough is sticky, don’t hesitate to add a little more flour while kneading.
• For added flavor, consider adding nuts or raisins to the filling.

Variation

You can adapt this recipe to your taste by adding different spices like nutmeg or by using flavored icing, such as maple or chocolate. Experiment with fillings by using fruit preserves or chocolate chips!

FAQs

1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. However, the texture may be denser.

2. Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! You can freeze the rolls before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When you’re ready to bake, let them rise and bake as directed.

3. What if my dough doesn’t rise?
Make sure your yeast is fresh. If the milk mixture was too hot, it may have killed the yeast. You can test yeast by mixing it with warm water and sugar; if it bubbles after a few minutes, it’s still good.

With this easy cinnamon rolls recipe, you’ll be able to enjoy a sweet, gooey treat right from your own kitchen. Happy baking!

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

These easy cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy, filled with gooey cinnamon and sugar, topped with a creamy icing, perfect for a sweet treat or breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 27 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10 rolls

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

Dough Ingredients

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter for dough
• 2 and 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star or any instant yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 large egg at room temperature
• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter extra softened for spreading
• 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Icing Ingredients

• 4 ounces full-fat block cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
• In a heatproof bowl, combine the milk and butter. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture feels warm (about 110°F/43°C). Whisk in the yeast until it dissolves.
• Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the egg, and stir until a soft dough forms.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 3-5 minutes until smooth. If sticky, add flour as needed. Place in a greased bowl, cover loosely, and let rest for about 10 minutes.

Rolling and Rising

• Roll the dough into a 14×8-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix cinnamon and brown sugar, then sprinkle over the dough.
• Roll up the dough to create a log. Cut into 10-12 even rolls and place them in a greased baking pan.
• Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Baking

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 24-27 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack while preparing the icing.

Icing

• In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add butter and mix until smooth. Then, beat in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until combined.
• Spread the icing over the warm rolls, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, ensure that the milk and butter mixture is warm but not too hot, as high temperatures can kill the yeast. Store leftover rolls covered tightly at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Keyword Baking, Breakfast Pastry, Cinnamon Rolls, Easy Recipe, Homemade Treats