These are the best homemade cinnamon rolls ever! They are made with a yeasted dough, a sweet cinnamon filling, and cream cheese frosting. They require a little time and effort but that is what makes them the BEST. Your friends and family will appreciate the love and effort you put into these.
Looking for more tasty desserts? Try my Tiramisu next!
About This Recipe
According to my wife, these are the best cinnamon rolls sheโs ever had. And not to toot my own horn, but I might have to agree! They are exceptionally soft and fluffy, and the best part is the cream cheese frosting that takes them to a whole new level. If store-bought cinnamon rolls came anywhere close to these, I might buy a pack every time I went to the grocery store.
The secret to these cinnamon rolls is a double rise. I know there are many recipes that do a single rise, but in my experience, a double rise is much superior. Yes, it takes an extra hour of rest, but the time is totally worth it. They will be fluffier and overall have a better texture because the yeast has had more time to work its magic. This is why the best breads are rested overnight and sometimes up to several days.
For the frosting, I made a super delicious cream cheese frosting. Once you try it, you will never go back to the original frosting. Not only does it have a creamier texture, but the cream cheese adds a tiny of bit of tanginess which balances out the sweetness of everything else.
Key Ingredients
Dough: The dough is made with flour, instant yeast, sugar, melted butter, egg, salt, and vanilla extract. It's incredibly simple to put together. Just mix everything together in a stand mixer or by hand, then let it rest for 1-2 hours.
Cinnamon filling: First, you spread butter on the dough, then you sprinkle cinnamon sugar over it. The cinnamon sugar is just granulated sugar combined with ground cinnamon.
Frosting: The frosting is made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. You want the cream cheese and butter to be softened so that you can beat them together easier. If not, you will have to beat them for a few minutes longer.
Instructions
STEP 1: Mix and knead the dough in a stand mixer or by hand until a smooth dough forms.
STEP 2: Cover and let the dough rest in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
STEP 3: Lightly grease a surface with some oil. Roll the dough out into a 10-by-16-inch rectangle.
STEP 4: Spread butter all over except for 1-inch at the top.
STEP 5: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the butter. Starting from the side closest to you, roll the dough into a tight log.
STEP 6: Use a serrated knife or toothfloss to cut the dough in half, then into 6 smaller pieces. Transfer to a greased baking pan.
STEP 7: Cover and let the dough rest for another 45-90 minutes until puffed up.
STEP 8: Bake at 350ยฐF for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top, then spread the cream cheese frosting all over. The cream cheese frosting is made by beating together cream cheese, butter, icing sugar, and vanilla extract.
๐ Recipe
Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough
- 3-3 ยผ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg (plus enough milk to make 1 cup)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling
For the frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 5 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 1 ยฝ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix and knead all the dough ingredients together until a soft, smooth dough forms. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size. I used my oven with the light on.
- Lightly grease a surface and roll the dough into a 10-by-16-inch rectangle. Spread the butter all over except for 1 inch on the side farthest from you. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over the butter.
- Beginning at the side closest to you, roll the dough into a tight log and pinch the edges to seal. With a serrated knife or toothfloss, cut the log in half, then slice each half into 6 pieces. Place them in a greased 9x13-inch pan and press them down slightly. Cover and let them rise again for 45-90 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top.
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Spread all over the top of the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Enjoy! Because the frosting has dairy in it, make sure you refrigerate any leftovers. They will keep for about 5 days in the fridge.
Kelly
To DIE for!!!
Laura Wise
Are you able to freeze the rolls after the second rise and bake later?
Grump
Yes! Just make sure it thaws completely and ideally comes to room temperature before baking
Savaughna
I tried this recipe and it was AMAZING! first time making cinnamon rolls too. Thank you so much for making this easy to follow and not โฆ scary! Iโve been wanting to make these for so long but all of the recipes seem intimidating for a beginner baker but not this one!! Love it.
Grump
Thanks for the amazing review, Savaughna! Yeah I try to keep my recipes simple so anyone can make them ๐
Jonah
For a double batch is it 2 cups egg and milk?
Grump
Yes, thats correct. Add 2 eggs to a meausring cup and fill to two cup line
Madalynn Jannetti
I absolutely love these! Would be it plausible to make them and then at some point let it rest overnight in the fridge to then bake the following day?
Jessica
Could you make dough the night before and refrigerate?
Emily
Can I make the dough and form the rolls the night before and bake them the next morning?
Grump
Yes! Just make sure they rise enough at room temperature first, and let them rest out of the fridge for 30 minutes to warm up.
Jeffrey Hudnall
Just wonderful
Cathetine
Hi! Looking at your Cinnabon recipe and am wondering do you not warm milk to start the yeast with sugar first ?
Grump
It doesnt need to be warmed up first. You can warm it up slightly but make sure it isnt too hot otherwise the egg might curdle.