Name: Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 2 h 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup milk (100-110℉); 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons salted butter (softened); 1 large egg; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup salted butter (melted); 1 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 4 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1/4 cup salted butter (softened); 1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

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Soft, pillowy, and oozing with warm cinnamon sweetness, the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever are more than just a breakfast treat — they’re a celebration! Each swirl is packed with gooey, caramelized brown sugar and a rich cream cheese glaze that turns every bite into pure comfort. Whether you’re making them for a special brunch or an indulgent weekend breakfast, this recipe brings bakery-level magic right to your kitchen. Your family is about to swoon!

Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about these cinnamon rolls is how straightforward the ingredient list is. Each item is essential, working its magic to deliver flavor, softness, and that irresistible finishing touch — all simple pantry staples coming together for incredible results!

Milk (1 cup, 100-110℉): Warm milk helps activate the yeast and gives the dough its soft, luscious texture.
Instant Dry Yeast (1 tablespoon): This is what makes those beautiful, fluffy rolls rise high and light.
Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons): Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough ever so slightly.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances all the sweetness and brings out the dough’s natural flavor.
Salted Butter (3 tablespoons, softened): Essential for richness and tenderness in every bite.
Large Egg (1): Binds the dough and gives it gorgeous color.
All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): The backbone of the dough, yielding the perfect level of fluffiness.
Salted Butter (1/2 cup, melted): Brushed over the dough before rolling, making the cinnamon sugar filling luxuriously gooey.
Brown Sugar (1 cup): Delivers that deep, caramel-like sweetness we all crave in cinnamon rolls.
Ground Cinnamon (2 tablespoons): Provides that signature aroma and warming spice.
Cream Cheese (4 ounces, softened): The secret to a decadent, tangy glaze.
Salted Butter (1/4 cup, softened): Gives the glaze extra creaminess and flavor.
Powdered Sugar (1 to 1 1/2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the glaze to perfect drizzling consistency.
Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds depth and a classic bakery note to the glaze.
Milk (1 to 2 tablespoons): Helps adjust the glaze so it’s silky smooth and easy to spread.

How to Make Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by adding the warm milk, yeast, sugar, salt, softened butter, and egg to your stand mixer bowl. This is the foundation for the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever, so make sure the milk isn’t too hot — just pleasantly warm — to gently wake up the yeast. Add in the flour, attach your dough hook, and begin mixing at a low speed, letting everything come together.

Step 2: Get the Right Consistency

Once the flour starts to blend in, crank up to medium speed. Here’s where bread-making turns into an art! You want the dough to pull away from the bowl’s sides, staying soft and slightly tacky but not sticking to your hands. Add flour bit by bit if it’s still sticky, knowing that exact amounts can vary based on humidity or flour brand.

Step 3: Let It Rise

Transfer your finished dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover with a towel and set aside for about an hour. When your dough has doubled in size, you’ll be greeted by its puffy, cloud-like glory — a clear sign it’s ready for the next step in making the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Grease either a baking sheet or a trusty 9×13 pan, then punch down the dough to release trapped air. Roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches. Take a moment to enjoy how supple and easy this dough is to work with. This surface will soon be the canvas for all that cinnamon-sugar magic!

Step 5: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Filling and Slice

Brush your rolled-out dough generously with melted butter — don’t be shy! In a small bowl, stir together your brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the buttered surface. Roll it up lengthwise, keeping things nice and tight for the perfect swirl. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 beautiful rolls. Each one will puff up into a glorious cinnamon spiral.

Step 6: Second Rise

Arrange the cut rolls in your greased pan, giving them a touch of space to expand. Cover them up and let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. They’ll look plump and ready for the oven, with anticipation building in your kitchen.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees while the rolls finish rising. Bake for about 14 minutes, just until the tops develop a light kiss of golden brown. The whole house will smell like a bakery — and you’ll know you’re almost there!

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

While the cinnamon rolls bake, whip up the glaze by blending softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla, adding milk a tablespoon at a time to reach a drizzle-able consistency. This glaze is what makes the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever truly unforgettable — creamy, sweet, and so decadent.

Step 9: Glaze and Serve

Spread or drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls, letting it melt down into every nook and cranny. Devour immediately, or let them cool a bit if you can possibly wait. Either way, you’ve just made magic!

How to Serve Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Garnishes

The classic finish is a swirl of cream cheese glaze, but you can go the extra mile with a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a light zesting of orange for a fun twist. Anything that adds crunch or brightness will complement the gooey richness of the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever.

Side Dishes

Pair these cinnamon rolls with a steaming mug of coffee, chai, or even a tangy fruit salad to balance the sweetness. On a special brunch table, they’re lovely alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon, adding a savory counterpoint to the soft, sugary roll.

Creative Ways to Present

For an impressive brunch spread, arrange the rolls in a spiral on a platter, drizzle extra glaze over the top, and garnish with berries or edible flowers. You can also serve each roll in a parchment cupcake liner for easy, individual portions that look bakery-shop fancy. However you present them, the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever will always steal the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you manage to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. The rolls will stay pillowy and delicious, especially if you frost only what you plan to eat immediately and save the rest of the glaze to use when serving.

Freezing

To make mornings even easier, bake and cool the rolls completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked, sliced rolls, then let them thaw and rise before baking fresh for that just-made magic.

Reheating

To bring the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever back to their fresh-from-the-oven glory, warm them in a preheated 300-degree oven for about ten minutes, or microwave individually for 15-20 seconds. If you have reserved glaze, add it after reheating so it melts luxuriously into the warm rolls.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough and assemble the rolls, then cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to rise before baking. Wake up to the smell of the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever nearly ready to eat!

What if I only have active dry yeast?

No problem! Just dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly before proceeding with the recipe. The rest of the process for the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever is exactly the same.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?

Yes, you can absolutely jazz up your rolls! Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped nuts, raisins, or even mini chocolate chips along with the cinnamon sugar before rolling everything up for extra texture and flavor.

Why did my cinnamon rolls turn out dry?

If your rolls came out a little dry, it could be from adding too much flour or baking too long. Try to keep the dough soft and slightly tacky, and watch your bake time closely — the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever are meant to be moist and tender!

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

While a stand mixer makes things speedy, you can absolutely knead the dough by hand or use a sturdy hand mixer with dough hooks. It might take a few extra minutes, but the results will be just as delicious — and maybe even more satisfying!

Final Thoughts

You’ll fall in love with every bite of the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Ever, whether they’re hot out of the oven or enjoyed as a special treat the next day. If you’ve never baked fresh cinnamon rolls from scratch before, let this be the recipe that turns you into a cinnamon roll champion. Your kitchen and your loved ones are in for a delicious, unforgettable treat!