Fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls are the perfect breakfast or brunch treat. They have a rich cinnamon and brown sugar filling and are topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. This easy homemade cinnamon rolls recipe can be made ahead of time or frozen to enjoy later along with enjoying them fresh out of the oven.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Homemade cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite breakfast and brunch treats. Before I made them for the first time, I was nervous; they sounded scary, but after making them the first time, I realized just how easy they were.
There is nothing not to love about fluffy and soft cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven.
Homemade cinnamon rolls are much better than store-bought ones, and once you see how simple they are, you will skip the canned ones and make homemade ones instead.
These fluffy cinnamon rolls have the best fluffy texture and a tasty, rich cinnamon sugar filling. They are topped with a cream cheese icing that rounds them out, making them the best cinnamon rolls ever.
We always make cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning, and because they are so easy to make, they are the perfect Christmas morning treat.
Cinnamon Roll Recipes
Tips and Variations for Making Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Use a cast iron pan or circle baking dish. I like using a cast iron pan but you can also use a circle baking pan.
Ingredients at room temperature. Set any ingredients that need to be at room temperature on the counter for about 30 minutes before getting started making the cinnamon rolls.
Use a sharp knife. Cutting the cinnamon roll dough is much easier when you use a sharp knife.
Flour your work surface. When rolling out or kneading the dough, it is important to add a sprinkle of flour to the counter to prevent the dough from sticking. I also sprinkle a little bit on my rolling pin to make rolling easier.
Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray. It is important to use nonstick cooking spray on the baking dish so the cinnamon rolls do not stick to it.
Don’t skimp on rising time. You want the dough to rise for enough time to make soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls, so it is very important to let the dough rise for enough time.
Use bread flour. If you do not have all purpose flour then you can use bread flour for this recipe.
Add mix-ins to the filling. You can add chopped nuts, raisins or dried cranberries to the filling for extra flavors.
What do I do if my Cinnamon Roll dough is sticky?
When you are rolling the cinnamon roll dough out, you will want to use a rolling pin. Be sure to lightly flour the counter or surface that you are working on so the dough doesn’t stick.
If you find that the dough is sticky when you are kneading it, add more flour to the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, and sprinkle more flour on the work surface.
How Can I make my Cinnamon Roll Dough Rise Faster?
Depending on the temperature of your house it will take between 1 and 1.5 hours for the cinnamon roll dough to fully rise. If you are wanting to have the dough rise faster after you have put them into the baking dish there are a few things you can do however it is essential that you do not rush the rising process excessively; fully risen dough produces softer and fluffier cinnamon rolls..
Warm Oven Method. Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature (usually around 170°F/75°C). Turn it off and leave the door slightly ajar for a minute to let some heat escape. Place the covered dough or cinnamon rolls inside and close the oven door. The residual heat will speed up the rising process.
Microwave and Water Trick. Remove the cup and place your covered dough in the microwave (don’t turn it on). The steam and warm air create a perfect environment for faster rising. Place a cup of water in the microwave and heat it until steaming (1-2 minutes).
Can I make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ahead of Time?
Cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite breakfasts. I like to make them ahead of time and then reheat them the next morning. You can also make them the night before and reheat them, and they are still just as delicious as when they came out of the oven.
How to Store Cinnamon Rolls
To store cinnamon rolls allow them to cool completely. Then cover them with plastic wrap. Cinnamon rolls will keep for 2 days when stored with plastic wrap on the counter. If you store them in the refrigerator they will keep for up to one week.
How do You reheat Cinnamon Rolls?
There are 2 ways to reheat cinnamon rolls when you are ready to eat them or you are heating up leftovers.
- Microwave: Warm a roll for 15–20 seconds (cover with a damp paper towel to keep it moist).
- Oven: Cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes.
Can You Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
Yes. You can freeze cinnamon rolls and you can freeze them before or after baking them. I do not suggest putting the cinnamon roll icing on top of them until you are going to eat them.
How to Freeze Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Freeze Cinnamon Roll dough. If you want to freeze the cinnamon rolls before baking, you will follow all of the steps up until baking. Then, place the cinnamon roll slices on a baking sheet and put the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are frozen solid. Then, place the frozen cinnamon rolls into a freezer zip-close bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Freeze baked cinnamon rolls. To freeze them after baking, allow them to cool completely. Then place on a baking sheet and put the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are frozen solid. Then, place frozen cinnamon rolls into a freezer zip-close bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat frozen cinnamon rolls, you can thaw them in the fridge and warm them in the microwave, or you can pop them on a baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes to warm up. Then, top them with the frosting.
Homemade Cinnamon Roll dough ingredients
- 2 3/4 Cup all purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1/4 Cup whole milk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temp
- 1 egg at room temperature
Cinnamon Roll filling ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (for spreading)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup cream cheese room temp
- 1/4 Cup unsalted butter room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Measure out 1/2 cup of flour and then set it aside.
In the bowl of your stand mixer add 2 1/4 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together until evenly mixed with a rubber spatula and then set on the mixer stand.
In a double boiler (if you’re not sure how to make one, learn how to make a double boiler at home), combine the water, milk, and butter until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot to the touch. You can also do this step in the microwave if preferred. If you are using the microwave use a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second increments.
Add the dough hook to the mixer.
Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
Next, add the egg and the leftover flour to the cinnamon roll dough mixture to make a soft dough. Start with 1/3 cup and work up to 1/2 cup until the dough is ready. Keep the mixer on low speed while adding the flour and then up to medium speed to finish making the dough.
The dough is ready when it pulls away from the side of the bowl and has an elastic consistency.
Remove the dough from the stand mixer and Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes on a floured surface.
Grease the stand mixer bowl, add the dough, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise and rest for about 10 minutes.
While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon roll filling. In a bowl, mix the butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Make sure the butter is soft before adding it to the bowl.
Once your dough is ready, roll it out in a rectangle. Spread the filling mixture on top.
Roll up the dough tightly by squeezing the edges closed, then cut into 1- 1 1/2 inch wide pieces.
Spray a circle baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Place cinnamon rolls in the pan. You want the top to be where you can see the filling on the inside.
Place the baking pan covered in a dish towel in a nondrafty area, and let the dough rise until the cinnamon rolls have about doubled in size. This will take 60-90 minutes.
Once they have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. When the oven is ready, place the cookies in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until they are light golden brown.
While the cinnamon rolls are baking make the homemade cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting.
Once the rolls have been removed from the oven, frost using half the amount made. Let them cool, and then frost again.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Filling
In a medium bowl, add the room-temperature butter, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and the brown sugar. Mix well to combine using a fork or a whisk.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Frosting
In a large bowl with a hand mixer or you can use a stand mixer to make your frosting.
Add the butter and cream cheese and mix until combined.
Once combined, add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and powdered sugar and mix on low until combined. Once combined, turn the speed to medium high and mix for 5 minutes to fluff the frosting.
Easy Brunch Recipes
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll dough ingredients
- 2 3/4 Cup all purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1/4 Cup whole milk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 egg room temperature
Cinnamon Roll filling ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature (for spreading)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup cream cheese room temperature
- 1/4 Cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
Instructions
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
- Measure out 1/2 cup of flour and then set it aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer add 2 1/4 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together until evenly mixed with a rubber spatula and then set on the mixer stand.
- In a double boiler (if you’re not sure how to make one, learn how to make one at home), combine the water, milk, and butter until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot to the touch. You can also do this step in the microwave if preferred.
- Add the dough hook to the mixer.
- Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
- Next, add the egg and the leftover flour to the cinnamon roll dough mixture to make a soft dough. Start with 1/3 cup and work up to 1/2 cup until the dough is ready. Keep the mixer on low speed while adding the flour and then up to medium speed to finish making the dough.
- The dough is ready when it pulls away from the side of the bowl and has an elastic consistency.
- Remove the dough from the stand mixer and Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes on a floured surface.
- Grease the stand mixer bowl, add the dough, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise and rest for about 10 minutes.
- While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon roll filling. In a bowl, mix the butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Make sure the butter is soft before adding it to the bowl.
- Once your dough is ready, roll it out in a rectangle. Spread the filling mixture on top.
- Roll up the dough tightly by squeezing the edges closed, then cut into 1- 1 1/2 inch wide pieces.
- Spray a circle baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place cinnamon rolls in the pan. You want the top to be where you can see the filling on the inside.
- Place the baking pan covered in a dish towel in a nondrafty area, and let the dough rise until the cinnamon rolls have about doubled in size. This will take 60-90 minutes.
- Once they have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. When the oven is ready, place the cookies in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until they are light golden brown.
- In a bowl, combine the vanilla extract, cream cheese, and butter and cream them together. Once creamed, add powdered sugar and mix well. You can also use a stand mixer for this.
- Once the rolls have been removed from the oven, frost using half the amount made. Let them cool, and then frost again.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Filling
- In a medium bowl, add the room-temperature butter, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and the brown sugar. Mix well to combine using a fork or a whisk.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Frosting
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or you can use a stand mixer to make your frosting.
- Add the butter and cream cheese and mix until combined.
- Once combined, add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and powdered sugar and mix on low until combined. Once combined, turn the speed to medium high and mix for 5 minutes to fluff the frosting.
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