Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Recipe

Picture this! A warm and delicious roll straight from the oven. Mmmmmm. Yummy. This is a treat everyone deserves. Rolls are ideal for kicking off your mornings. Or maybe you are up for brunches with friends? They'll be a great addition, too! 

But how do you actually make soft cinnamon rolls? Let's get to baking!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 45°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons quality Ceylon cinnamon powder that you can buy at https://druera.com/products/ceylon-cinnamon-powder 

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (optional, for a thinner consistency)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

I start with warm milk—just the right temp to get friendly with the yeast. I sprinkle the yeast over the milk in a large bowl. I give it about 5 to 10 minutes to get it nice and frothy. Next, I whisk in the sugar, melted butter, and eggs, stirring until everything’s smoothly blended. Now for the flour and a pinch of salt. I mix it all slowly until a soft dough begins to take shape. Then, it’s time to get my hands on it.

I tip the dough onto a floured surface and spend 5 to 7 minutes kneading it. I aim for it to become smooth and elastic—it’s quite the arm workout. Sometimes, I use my stand mixer with a dough hook. Either way, this base sets the stage for those irresistible rolls.

2. Let the Dough Rise

Then I put the dough in a bowl. It’s time to cover it. A damp cloth is fine for that. And yes, I let it rise. I find a warm place for this. 1 or 1.5 hours are usually enough. I’ll keep an eye on when it doubles in size.

3. Prepare the Filling

Then I mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to get them all well combined. I usually do this in a small bowl.

4. Assemble My Rolls

I wait for the dough to rise. Then I punch it down and roll it out to get a rectangle. I aim for 18x12 inches in size. 

I spread the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough and leave a small border around the edges.

5. Roll and Cut the Dough

I tightly roll the dough into a log, starting from the longer side. Then, using a sharp knife or dental floss, I cut the log into 12 equal pieces.

6. Second Rise

I place rolls in a baking dish. Again I cover them with a damp cloth. Viola, they rise for 30-45 min.

7. Bake

I preheat the oven. 350°F (175°C), and I bake them for 20-25 min till they get golden brown.

8. Mix Cream Cheese Frosting

I beat the softened cream cheese and butter together to get them smooth.

I add a bit of powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix everything. Is the frosting too thick? Not a big deal. I add one tablespoon of milk until I reach the desired consistency.

9. Frost the Cinnamon Rolls

I allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before I spread the cream cheese frosting over the top.

10. Serve and Enjoy

I serve my cinnamon rolls warm. Enjoy the soft, gooey, and delicious rolls with a cup of coffee or milk.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Make sure the milk is warm and not hot! Too hot, and you'll kill the yeast!

Next, let’s talk kneading. Don’t skimp here; you want your dough smooth and elastic to create those soft, fluffy textures that make cinnamon rolls irresistible.

Now, rolling and filling: keep it even. Spread that sweet cinnamon filling to the edges so every bite is as good as the last. Consistency is key here.

And for the grand finale—cutting those rolls. Ditch the knife and grab some dental floss instead. Slip it under the dough, cross the ends over the top, and pull tight. You’ll get the cleanest cuts that keep your rolls perfectly shaped.

Final Thoughts

And here you have it—a simple way to make cinnamon rolls at home. Your family will definitely thank you. Try this treat, and you’ll love it once and forever!