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December 6, 2020 (Last Updated: August 11, 2022)
How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe), this is your guide to making the best homemade, ooey-gooey soft cinnamon rolls. They are fluffy, but moist, with the best cream cheese icing and cinnamon sugar filling. This recipe also includes tips on how to make them ahead of time, how to freeze them for later, how to make them overnight, as well as storing and reheating tips! Easy-to-follow cinnamon roll recipe video also included!
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How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe), this is your guide to making the best homemade, ooey-gooey soft cinnamon rolls. They are fluffy, but moist, with the best cream cheese icing and cinnamon sugar filling. This recipe also includes tips on how to make them ahead of time, how to freeze them for later, how to make them overnight, as well as storing and reheating tips! Easy-to-follow cinnamon roll recipe video also included!
Lover of all things cinnamon? Check out this Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast recipe, this delicious Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds recipe or these Easy Coffee Cake Muffins!
Table of Contents
Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe)
Cinnamon Rolls need no introduction, they speak for themselves. You can smell them before you see them, and once you see them you just gotta have them! This recipe has been a labour of love. I wanted to share the perfect cinnamon roll recipe that’s soft and tender, but ooey-gooey and chewy…with the right about of sweetness and perfect amount of warm cinnamon spices. It’s so good, you just gotta try it!
Here are some other reasons why I love this Cinnamon Roll Recipe:
- Easy to follow recipe, with simple ingredients and step by step recipe video
- This recipe has been tested, tried and true – it’s bound to turn out phenomenally
- It gives Cinnabon taste, texture and goodness but freshly made in the comfort of your home
Looking for more Baking Recipes? Check these Out…
- Easy Blueberry Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze
- Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
- Easy White Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chips
- Cookies and Cream Cookies
What You Need to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls
- Milk, whole milk or 2%
- Butter
- Granulated White Sugar
- Active Dry or Quick Rise Yeast
- Flour
- Salt
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Egg
- Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Unsalted Butter
- Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese
- Confectioners (Icing/Powdered) Sugar
- Pure Vanilla Extract
How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe)
- Bloom yeast.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Form dough and allow to rise.
- Make cinnamon sugar.
- Roll out dough, spread on butter & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Cut rolls, place in greased baking dish and allow to rise, again.
- Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Make cream cheese glaze, pour overtop, serve and enjoy.
Step 1: Bloom Yeast & Make Dough – in a large mixing bowl, add warm milk (110℉, not hot), melted butter, granulated white sugar, and active dry or quick rise yeast, gently whisk together and set aside for 10 minutes, or until foamy, bubbly and expanding.
Whisk egg in a small bowl, then add to yeast mixture. Add vanilla and whisk all ingredients together until combined.
Gradually stir in flour and salt with a large spatula or wooden spoon until a dough begins to form – the dough will be slightly sticky.
Step 2: Make Dough – once dough has formed in bowl, transfer to a well floured surface and use your hands to knead the dough for around the 4-5 minutes or until the dough forms into a smooth elastic round ball that is slightly sticky.
Lightly coat a large bowl with cooking oil spray or olive oil and transfer the ball of dough to the bowl, turning once to coat in the oil. Cover with a plastic wrap or dish towel and allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Make Cinnamon Sugar – in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon, set aside.
Step 4: Roll out Dough, Cut – after dough has doubled in size, punch out air and transfer onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out dough into a 19-inch x 13–inch rectangle, brush with softened butter, then use your hands to sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough.
Begin to tightly roll the dough in a log shape. When at the end, gently pinch the seam down to seal. Trim ends for even slices. Using unflavoured dental floss or a serrated knife, cut dough into 12 to 15 slices. Thickness depends on your preference. Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased large baking dish. Cover with the damp warm towel and allow to rise for another 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Bake – preheat oven to 350℉ , while rolls rising. Them remove towel, place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on top and along the edges. You want to centers to remain just a little under baked. Cool slightly before glazing.
Step 6: Make Cream Cheese Glaze – in a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat together butter and cream cheese then add in confectioners sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Beat until well combined and lump free. Pour over cinnamon rolls and serve while warm.
How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls (Make Ahead Recipe)
Make the dough the night before and allow it to rest in the refrigerator overnight. It saves time and is the perfect make-ahead breakfast choice! After you’ve made your rolls, arrange them in a large baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, do not allow the dough to rise. Store in the refrigerator overnight or up to 16 hours. The next morning; take rolls out of the refrigerator, keep them covered and let rolls rise at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours (or in a 100˚F oven for 35 min) or until puffy and doubled in size. Time varies depending on kitchen temp/humidity conditions.
TSS Tip – If you are making them ahead of time, do not let the cinnamon rolls rise at room temperature after cutting them into individual rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and immediately place in fridge.
What’s the Difference Between Cinnamon Rolls and Cinnamon Buns?
Acinnamon roll traditionally has cream cheese or vanilla icing/ frosting whereas, acinnamon bun or sticky bun is covered in a sweet sugar glaze. The glaze varies, but you will often find it containing granulated sugar or brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey or a combination of them.
Best Ways to Store Cinnamon Rolls – Cinnamon Roll Storage Guide (How to Keep Cinnamon Rolls from Getting Hard?)
- You can either store your cinnamon rolls at room temperature or in the freezer. The key is to store them in an airtight container or Ziploc or freezer bag. You want to trap the moisture in, and not let it escape.
- Wrap your cinnamon rolls individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer bag. If you want to keep them in the pan, double wrap (two layers) the pan in plastic wrap then foil to ensure a tight seal.
- Store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for 5 to 6 days.
TSS Tip – Keep leftover cinnamon rolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap then aluminum foil in a airtight container or ziploc bag.
TSS Tip – The best way to keep your excess cinnamon rolls moist is to freeze them at the dough stage. See below for details.
How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls
After you’ve made your rolls, arrange them on a large baking sheet, wrap in two layers of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Do not allow the dough to rise by placing immediately in the freezer. Keep frozen for anywhere between 4-6 weeks. When ready to bake, thaw the entire tray of cinnamon rolls. Place in fridge over night to decrease your rising time or let rolls thaw then rise at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours (or in a 100˚F oven for 35 min) or until puffy and doubled in size. Time varies depending on kitchen temp/humidity conditions.
TSS Tip – once rolls are frozen, after 8 hours, transfer to ziploc bags to save space in freezer!
Best Ways to Reheat Cinnamon Rolls
You can reheat cinnamon rolls in either the microwave or the oven. For the quickest reheat, spread a light layer of butter over each cinnamon roll (or heat a cup of water in the microwave, remove, then put in your rolls) and microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, remove and enjoy. The steam from the hot water will provide added moisture and soften the rolls perfectly. However, if you want to reheat in the oven follow these steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. If cinnamon rolls were refrigerated or frozen, thaw on counter until room temperature first. Spread a light layer of butter over each roll, place on a baking sheet and reheat the cinnamon rolls for about 10 minutes or until they are heated through.
Easy-to-Follow How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Video
Other Must-Try The Seasoned Skillet Desserts & Treats
The Best Browned Butter Skor Toffee Cookies & The Best Browned Butter Skor Toffee Cookies
How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls Tips
- Don’t overheat your milk. Optimal temperature is 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything hotter than 115 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the yeast, meaning the cinnamon rolls will not rise.
- Use unflavoured dental floss to cut your rolls. This is the best and neatest way tosliceyourrolls without tearing, pulling or smooshing your dough.
- Use room temperature ingredients. This means the eggs, butter, cream cheese etc. should all be room temperature unless otherwise stated.
- Use softened butter for filling. When adding your cinnamon sugar, use softened room temperature butter – not melted. If you use melted, most will seep out before baking, softened is best.
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How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe)
Taneisha Morris
How to Make Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Recipe), this is your guide to making the best homemade, ooey-gooey soft cinnamon rolls. They are fluffy, but moist, with the best cream cheese icing and cinnamon sugar filling. This recipe also includes tips on how to make them ahead of time, how to freeze them for later, how to make them overnight, as well as storing and reheating tips! Follow along cinnamon roll recipe video also included!
4.27 from 26 votes
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Prep Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts & Treats
Servings 12 servings
Ingredients
Yeast
- 1 cup Warm Milk whole milk or 2% , 110℉ (45°C)
- 1/3 cup Salted Butter melted
- 1/3 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry or Quick Rise Yeast
Dough
- 3 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Egg whisked
Filling
- 1 cup Brown Sugar loosely packed
- 3 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
Icing
- 1/4 cup Salted Butter softened
- 1/4 cup Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Confectioners or Icing/Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 tbsp Milk
Instructions
Step 1: Bloom Yeast & Make Dough
In a large mixing bowl, add warm milk (110℉, not hot), melted butter, granulated white sugar, and active dry or quick rise yeast, gently whisk together and set aside for 10 minutes, or until foamy, bubbly and expanding.
Whisk egg in a small bowl, then add to yeast mixture. Add vanilla and whisk all ingredients together until combined.
Gradually stir in flour and salt with a large spatula or wooden spoon until a dough begins to form – the dough will be slightly sticky.
Make Dough
Once dough has formed in bowl, transfer to a well floured surface and use your hands to knead the dough for around the 4-5 minutes or until the dough forms into a smooth elastic round ball that is slightly sticky.
Lightly coat a large bowl with cooking oil spray or olive oil and transfer the ball of dough to the bowl, turning once to coat in the oil. Cover with a plastic wrap or dish towel and allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Make Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon, set aside.
Roll out Dough, Cut & Bake
After dough has doubled in size, punch out air and transfer onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out dough into a 19-inch x 13–inch rectangle, brush with softened butter, then use your hands to sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough.
Begin to tightly roll the dough in a log shape. When at the end, gently pinch the seam down to seal. Trim ends for even slices. Using unflavoured dental floss or a serrated knife, cut dough into 12 to 15 slices. Thickness depends on your preference.
Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased large baking dish. Cover with the damp warm towel and allow to rise for another 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350℉ , while rolls rising. Them remove towel, place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on top and along the edges. You want to centers to remain just a little under baked. Cool slightly before glazing.
Make Cream Cheese Glaze
In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat together butter and cream cheese then add in confectioners sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Beat until well combined and lump free. Pour over cinnamon rolls and serve while warm.
Video
Recipe Notes
How to Slice Rolls – Use unflavoured dental floss to cut your rolls. This is the best and neatest way to slice your rolls without tearing, pulling or smooshing your dough.
see detailed notes above for additional tips.
Note, the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.
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