Cinnamon rolls are soft, sweet, and full of warm cinnamon flavor. This recipe is simple to follow. You can make delicious cinnamon rolls at home. Perfect for breakfast or a treat anytime.
Why Make Cinnamon Rolls at Home?
- They are fresh and warm.
- You know all ingredients used.
- They taste better than store-bought.
- Easy to make with simple tools.
Making cinnamon rolls is fun and rewarding. Plus, your home will smell amazing!
Ingredients You Need
Here is a list of basic ingredients for easy cinnamon rolls:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 1/2 cups |
| Milk (warm) | 1 cup |
| Active dry yeast | 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) |
| Sugar (white or brown) | 1/4 cup |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Butter (softened) | 1/3 cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Cinnamon (ground) | 2 tablespoons |
| Brown sugar (for filling) | 1/2 cup |
| Butter (for filling) | 1/4 cup (softened) |
| Cream cheese (for icing) | 4 oz |
| Powdered sugar (for icing) | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract (for icing) | 1 teaspoon |
| Milk (for icing) | 2 tablespoons |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Dough
Warm the milk until it feels warm but not hot. Add yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir gently. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will become bubbly.
In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and the rest of the sugar. Add softened butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Stir well to form dough.
Place dough on a floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
Put the dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean cloth. Let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Make The Filling
Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and combined. This is your cinnamon filling.
Step 3: Roll And Fill The Dough
After dough rises, punch it down. Roll it out on a floured surface. Make a rectangle about 16 by 12 inches.
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly on the dough. Leave a small border on the edges.
Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 slices.
Step 4: Second Rise
Place the slices in a greased baking pan. Leave a little space between them. Cover with a cloth. Let rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 5: Bake The Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20 to 25 minutes. They should be golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before icing.
Step 6: Make The Cream Cheese Icing
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a bowl. Beat until smooth. Spread on warm cinnamon rolls.
Tips for Best Cinnamon Rolls
- Use warm milk, not hot. Hot milk can kill yeast.
- Butter should be soft but not melted.
- Rub brown sugar into butter for the filling.
- Flour your surface and rolling pin to stop sticking.
- Let dough rise in a warm place.
- Do not overbake. Rolls should be soft.
- Use room temperature eggs for better dough.
- Bread flour can make rolls chewier but all-purpose is fine.