Name: THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/3 cup whole milk (320g); 4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g); 5 cups all-purpose flour (650g); 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g); 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200g); 2 tbsp cinnamon powder; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g), room temp; 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g); 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g); 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g); 1 cup icing sugar (100g)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 9 reviews

If you’ve been on the hunt for the fluffiest, gooiest, downright irresistible breakfast treat, look no further: THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE is about to change your idea of homemade comfort food forever. These rolls come together with a pillowy, golden dough, a heavenly swirl of cinnamon-sugar filling, and the creamiest, cloud-like cream cheese icing. Picture gathering around the table and pulling apart a warm roll, with ribbons of melting cinnamon tucked inside, finished with a generous spread of tangy, sweet frosting. It’s not just a crowd-pleaser—it’s the ultimate weekend baking project and bound to become a new family tradition.

THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of pantry staples and a touch of dairy, each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor and making the texture oh-so-soft. Let’s walk through what you’ll need, and I’ll share a tip for each one—you’ll see how every piece comes together for THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE!

Whole milk: Provides richness and moisture, ensuring that soft, fluffy crumb cinnamon rolls are famous for.
Active dry yeast or instant yeast: This gives the rolls their delightful rise—just be sure your yeast is fresh for the best results.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough but also feeds the yeast for a great rise.
All purpose flour: Forms the structure of the rolls—measure by weight for the most consistent, light texture.
Large eggs, room temperature: Add richness and help the dough rise high and stay tender inside.
Salt: Don’t skip it! Salt balances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
Unsalted butter, room temperature: Incorporated at different stages, butter infuses richness in both dough and filling.
Light brown sugar, packed: For that gooey, caramel-like swirl—the secret to irresistible filling.
Cinnamon powder: It’s the heart of this recipe, giving warmth and spice to each bite.
Heavy cream, room temperature: Pouring cream over the rolls before baking gives them a tender crumb and keeps them extra moist.
Cream cheese, room temperature: Essential for a thick, tangy frosting that melts into the warm rolls.
Icing sugar: The finishing touch to make the icing silky-smooth—don’t substitute with granulated!

How to Make THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

The journey to THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE begins by gently warming your milk—just enough that it feels cozy to the touch, not hot. Whisk in the yeast and let it bloom for about 10 minutes. Watch closely as it turns foamy—this is the magic starting to happen, with yeast alive and ready to work!

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

Add the sugar, flour, eggs, salt, and butter right into your yeast mixture. Stir everything together to make a scraggly dough, then get in there with your hands or let your stand mixer do the work. Knead until you’ve got a smooth, springy, stretchy ball—this can take 15 minutes by hand or just under 10 with a mixer. Don’t rush it! The more patience you put in here, the softer your cinnamon rolls will be.

Step 3: First Rise

Transfer that beautiful dough to a clean, lightly greased bowl, cover it up, and let it nap in a warm spot. After about 60 to 90 minutes, it should be doubled in size and spring back slightly when poked. This long, gentle rise is key for achieving the softest crumb that makes THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE truly stand out.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

While your dough is puffing up, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of salt. If it’s tricky to combine, a few seconds in the microwave will help everything blend smoothly into a spreadable paste. This filling is the very soul of your cinnamon rolls—don’t be shy when you spread it!

Step 5: Roll and Fill the Dough

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release excess air, then gently roll it out into a big rectangle. The dough will be wonderfully soft, so you won’t need much pressure. Spread your cinnamon-sugar filling in an even layer all the way to the edges for that perfect swirl in every bite.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Now comes the fun part: slice the dough into even strips, roll each one up tightly, and arrange them in a parchment-lined baking pan in a neat 4×3 grid. Each swirl will unfurl beautifully as it rises and bakes. Let the rolls puff up again for another 30-45 minutes—patience is rewarded with the fluffiest rolls!

Step 7: Bake with Cream

Just before baking, pour heavy cream over the rolls—this creates the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for about 22-25 minutes until they’re lightly golden and just set. If you love gooey rolls, it’s better to slightly underbake than risk drying them out—trust me on this one!

Step 8: Cream Cheese Icing

While your kitchen fills with irresistible aromas, whip up the cream cheese icing: just blend cream cheese, butter, cream, and icing sugar until fluffy and smooth. Smother the rolls in this glorious icing while they’re still warm so it melts into the crevices. This final flourish is how THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE earns its name.

How to Serve THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE

Garnishes

The joy of these cinnamon rolls is that they’re stunning just as they are, but a little garnish takes them over the top. Try a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, a handful of toasted pecans, or even an extra drizzle of cream cheese icing for a special touch. If you love a bit of sparkle, a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving is gorgeous and festive.

Side Dishes

Cinnamon rolls are rich and decadent, so pair them with something fresh and light to round out your breakfast spread. Sliced oranges, a simple fruit salad, or even tangy Greek yogurt work beautifully. Freshly brewed coffee or a pot of black tea is truly the perfect match for THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE, balancing their sweet, pillowy softness.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the baking pan and turn your cinnamon rolls into a brunch centerpiece! Arrange them on a pretty cake stand and serve with cute wooden tongs for a party. For a cozy weekend, plate each roll on individual dessert plates, garnished with extra icing and fresh berries. For kids, let them sprinkle on their favorite toppings—sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or caramel bits are all fun additions!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have any cinnamon rolls left, store them right in the baking pan, covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap to keep them soft and moist. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 2 days, or up to 5 days in the fridge. Pop them into an airtight container for convenience if you’re short on space.

Freezing

Yes, you can absolutely freeze THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE! Allow baked (unfrosted) rolls to cool completely, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag. You can also freeze the entire pan, tightly wrapped. Once ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. If freezing with icing, know that the texture may be slightly softer after thawing, but still every bit as delicious.

Reheating

Refresh cinnamon rolls by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and heating for 15-20 seconds. For a larger batch, cover the pan with foil and warm in a 300F oven for 10-15 minutes—add a sprinkle of water if you like them extra-moist. Always add icing after reheating if possible, or just before serving so it pools beautifully over the warm rolls.

FAQs

Why is there cream poured over the rolls before baking?

The trick of pouring cream over the rolls gives you an incredibly soft, gooey texture by creating gentle steam as they bake. This is a signature move for THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE which makes every bite ultra-tender and moist.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! After the first rise, you can tightly wrap the dough and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let it take off the chill before rolling out so it’s easy to work with. This step is super handy for prepping THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE for weekend brunches or holiday mornings.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries at all! This dough is a dream to knead by hand. It takes a bit of elbow grease—about 15 minutes—but the result is just as light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when the dough stretches easily without tearing and passes the windowpane test.

Can I make these gluten-free?

With some careful substitutions, yes! Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for bread baking, and check that your yeast and other ingredients are gluten-free too. Just know that texture will be a little different, but the flavor is still fantastic.

How do I keep the rolls from unrolling?

When rolling up your dough, make sure to roll the strips tightly and gently press the seam underneath when you place them in the pan. As they rise and bake, the ends will seal and hold their lovely spiral shape, a crucial part of nailing THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE!

Final Thoughts

Few things beat the comfort of sharing a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, and after just one bite, you’ll know exactly why this is called THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE. If you’re looking for a showstopping, heartwarming bake to delight your friends and family, jump into this recipe—you’ll end up with more than just a pan of rolls; you’ll create memories and smiles all around. Happy baking!