Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe — Soft, Fluffy & Gooey
Learn how to make soft, homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch with gooey cinnamon sugar filling and rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients
Dough
- ¾ Cup Warm Milk Regular or Almond Milk
- 2 ¼ Tsp Instant Yeast
- 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
- ⅓ Cup Unsalted Butter Melted
- 2 Large Eggs Room Temperature
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 3 ½ – 3 ¾ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 6 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream Poured on Top Before Baking
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cinnamon
- ⅓ Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 Oz Cream Cheese Softened
- ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter Melted
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast is inactive, and you should start again.
- Preheat your oven to the warm setting or 170°F.
- In a mixing bowl, add 3 ½ cups of flour, melted butter, vanilla, and sugar. Turn your stand mixer to low speed.
- Slowly add the yeast mixture while mixing.
- Add eggs one at a time, ensuring they fully incorporate.
- Increase the mixer to speed 4 and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, knead on a floured surface for about 6 minutes, adding no more than ¼ cup extra flour if sticky.
- Grease a bowl, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and let it rise near a warm oven or in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours.
Roll Out and Fill the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, lightly flour your work surface.
- Roll the dough into a 16×14-inch rectangle.
- Spread softened butter evenly across the dough.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough. Lightly press it into the surface.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 even slices.
- Place rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving space between them to rise.
- Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pour ½ tablespoon of heavy cream over each roll before baking.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Mix in melted butter and vanilla.
- Spread over warm cinnamon rolls for a rich, creamy finish.
Notes
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Rolls
- Use Fresh Yeast – Make sure your yeast is active for the best rise.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Eggs and butter should be at room temp for a smooth dough.
- Don’t Skip the Heavy Cream Trick – Pouring heavy cream over the rolls before baking makes them extra soft and gooey.
- Store Properly – Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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- Buttermilk Peach Cobbler – Summery and nostalgic.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!