Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Whether you're a sweet or savory breakfast person, we can all agree that cinnamon rolls are a great way to start the morning — especially on the weekends. Sure, you can go to the store and get a can of pre-made rolls that you just have to pop into the oven, but they aren't nearly as good as ones that are made from scratch. This recipe includes instructions for homemade dough, homemade filling, and even homemade glaze, which undoubtedly yields much tastier — and fresher — rolls.

Recipe developer Stephanie Rapone of Pantry to Plate Meals came up with this delicious recipe that's great for brunch with friends or family. "I love how dependable this cinnamon roll recipe is! It turns out great every time," she raves. Another plus? It's suitable for a beginner, so there's really no excuse not to take a crack at it. "This is a great recipe if you are just learning yeast breads," Rapone confirms. Keep reading to find out how to make these yummy cinnamon rolls. 

Start by making your grocery list before you head to the store. For this recipe, you will need whole milk, unsalted butter, dry instant yeast, granulated sugar, kosher salt, all-purpose flour, large eggs, canola oil, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract.

The first step is to make the dough. Take out a small saucepan and place it on your stove. Turn the heat to low and add 1 cup of milk and 5 tablespoons of butter. Heat the butter and milk until the butter melts and the mixture reaches a temperature of 105 F to 115 F. You should use a thermometer to check precisely. 

Then, pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Do not stir the yeast into the dough yet, just let it sit on top. 

Let the mixture sit for about 8 to 10 minutes until it begins to foam. Then, use a wooden spoon to stir in the granulated sugar and salt. Make sure your stand mixer is fitted with the dough hook attachment, then add 2 ½ cups of flour. Turn the mixer on low and beat for about 30 seconds, until combined.

Now, add the eggs to the bowl and turn the mixer on at a low speed. Continue beating the ingredients until incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed. Beat the dough for about 30 seconds on low, then crank the speed to medium-high for about 2 to 3 minutes until a smooth batter forms.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and add the remaining 2 ¼ cups of flour. Stir it well for 3 to 4 minutes until it forms a tacky ball.

Clean a large surface on your counter and sprinkle it with flour. Knead the dough ball until the consistency is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too wet and you need to add a little more flour, do so bit by bit.

"When kneading the dough, try to use as little flour as possible," Rapone suggests. "The dough may feel sticky, but as long as it isn't actually sticking, you're in good shape." 

Wipe the mixing bowl clean and coat it with a thin layer of canola oil. Plop the dough ball into the bowl and make sure to turn it once to grease the surface. Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it somewhere warm. Allow the dough about 50 minutes to an hour to rise enough so it doubles in size.

"Make sure to be patient with the dough rising — go by the size of the rise, not the amount of time it takes," Rapone says. 

While you wait for the dough to rise, take out a medium-sized bowl and start to make the cinnamon filling. First, add 8 tablespoons of softened butter, 1 ½ cups of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Stir until the mixture forms a granular paste.

To cook the cinnamon rolls, you will need a 9x13-inch pan. Grease it well with butter to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom.

By now, the dough should be done rising, which means it's ready to roll. Place it on a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it into a 12x18-inch rectangle. The dough should be about ¼-inch thick. Spread the filling over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides.

To shape the dough, start at the long end and roll it into a log. Pinch the seal on the long seam and transfer the log to your lightly floured surface with the seam facing down.

Grab a sharp, serrated knife and slice the dough into ½-inch thick pieces, keeping in mind that this recipe yields 14 rolls. Place the sliced rolls into the prepared baking pan with the cut side up.

Loosely cover the cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap and place them in a warm spot. Allow the dough to rise for another 20 to 25 minutes until they get nice and puffy.

If you don't want to bake these right away, you can pop the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to remove the pan from the refrigerator to let the dough rise for an hour before you continue.

When you are ready to bake, set your oven temperature to 375 F. Once it finishes preheating, remove the plastic wrap and place the baking dish on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes.

What good is a cinnamon roll without the glaze? While you wait for the rolls to bake, take out a small saucepan and add ⅔ cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, 4 tablespoons of butter, and ½ cup of whole milk. Turn the heat to medium and continuously whisk for 2 to 3 minutes, until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve.

Once melted, remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Then, set it to the side and let it cool.

Once your timer goes off and the rolls are a nice, golden brown color, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Then, drizzle the glaze over the top and let the rolls cool for another 20 minutes before serving. "I love these cinnamon rolls with a cup of fresh coffee," Rapone suggests. 

So what's the deal on leftovers? "These are best enjoyed fresh. You can store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to three days, but I recommend reheating them, just in the microwave, before enjoying," Rapone shares.