The Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat

It’s that point of 12 months once more. Time to say welcome you to the broad broad world of cinnamon roll love. In case you weren’t conscious, these cinnamon rolls have been the #1 recipe on Ambitious Kitchen for nearly 5 years now!

Seriously, say hey to huge, fluffy PERFECT cinnamon rolls filled with a cinnamon brown sugar filling and glazed with a vanilla cream cheese glaze that drips into the center and soaks each single chew.

Descriptive, sure. Delicious, completely.

Healthy? Not a lot. But typically you want one thing a bit indulgent for moments in your life that require a bit one thing particular.

Make the Recipe of the Month with us

These well-known cinnamon rolls are December’s Recipe of the Month! Make them any time this month and share it on social or the weblog for an opportunity to win an incredible prize. Get the entire deets right here!

The trick to retaining the cinnamon rolls tender and fluffy is bread flour. Yep that’s proper. The one and solely. The rolls actually received’t be the identical in any other case.

Do I feel they may compete with Cinnabon’s well-known recipe? 100%. Be positive to learn by means of the WHOLE submit the place I’ve shared tips & tips and answered your whole cinnamon roll baking questions!

So, let me inform you extra about this candy fluffy cinnamon roll recipe as a result of it’s one you’ll by no means, ever neglect.

I first printed this recipe again in May of 2017. I had been making this wonderful cinnamon roll recipe for years and needed to share it with all of you.

Years later, these cinnamon rolls are one of the well-liked recipes on Ambitious Kitchen and at present I’m bringing it again to remind you of how scrumptious they’re, but in addition share a couple of further tips and tips, plus a video tutorial of me making them (on the finish of the submit).

The very first time I baked them up was for Easter brunch whereas Tony was nonetheless in baseball. His dad and mom have been on the town and he lived with 5 different guys. I prepped the dough the night time earlier than, kneading it by hand and mixing the dough with an outdated wood spoon. It was perfection. The subsequent morning I popped the rolls within the oven and so they rose like cinnamon roll mountains: wonderful, lovely and completed off with a candy vanilla cream cheese icing. The most lovely brunch pastry you’d ever see.

The guys dug in instantly and stated they have been a number of the greatest cinnamon rolls they’d ever had. I knew from that time ahead that I’d make this recipe at each big day and vacation. Now I make them each Christmas morning for brunch — it’s such a enjoyable custom and everybody at all times appears ahead to my well-known cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients in cinnamon rolls

This cinnamon roll recipe doesn’t require a ton of components, but it surely does require love, persistence and dedication to the true recipe — that means don’t deter from the unique! These are referred to as the perfect cinnamon rolls for a purpose, and that requires following the recipe as instructed. Here’s what you’ll have to make the perfect cinnamon rolls:

• Milk: I like to recommend 2% or complete milk, however know that almond milk will even work (I’ve tried it!) See my tips under for guaranteeing your milk is on the proper temperature.
• Granulated sugar: that is used to sweeten the cinnamon rolls and to assist activate the yeast.
• Quick rise yeast: use quick rise or instant yeast on this recipe to assist the cinnamon rolls rise sooner. You also can use lively dry yeast, however the cinnamon rolls might take barely longer to rise. Scroll right down to get tips for utilizing yeast on this recipe!
• Butter: the one and solely. I favor to make use of salted butter however unsalted is nice too. You’ll want it for the dough, filling and icing.
• Egg + egg yolk: this recipe requires 1 egg and 1 egg yolk for the right texture and wealthy consistency within the dough.
• Bread flour: to assist preserve these cinnamon rolls tender and fluffy, we’re utilizing bread flour, which has a better protein degree to assist lighten the cinnamon roll texture. The larger quantities of protein assist to provide extra gluten, which provides cinnamon roll the chewy, tender texture you recognize and love.
• Brown sugar: personally, I really like utilizing dark brown sugar for extra strong molasses candy taste in these cinnamon swirls, however mild brown sugar will work!
• Cinnamon: YUM.
• Salt: cinnamon rolls made with out salt tastes very plain and as well as, salt additionally helps to manage yeast in cinnamon roll recipes so don’t skip it.
• For the icing: the icing is actually unforgettable too! Just cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.

YES PLEASE. Cinnabon, you’ve obtained nothing on these rolls.

Can I make them dairy free?

Yes! As I discussed, I’ve used almond milk on this cinnamon roll recipe with success. You also can use vegan butter and a vegan cream cheese to make the recipe fully dairy free.

Which yeast is greatest for cinnamon rolls + how you can know when yeast is activated

I can perceive why it could be complicated to know in case your yeast is activated. First, it’s essential to know that there are two kinds of yeast to select from:

• Active dry yeast: this sort of yeast have to be dissolved in liquid, or additionally what’s often known as being “proofed” earlier than it’s added to the remainder of the dough components. You’ll know this sort of yeast is activated when little bubbles start to look within the liquid that you just dissolve the yeast in (for this recipe it’s heat milk).
• Instant yeast: often known as quick rise yeast (that is the model I take advantage of and love!) and what we’re utilizing for this cinnamon roll recipe. It will be added to the dough with none ‘proofing’ required, so that you don’t want to sit down and watch the yeast to verify it bubbles. However, I nonetheless prefer to dissolve it in a bit little bit of milk and sugar to assist get it started.

Regardless of which yeast you’re utilizing, it’s essential that you just add it to heat milk that’s between 105 and 115 levels F. More on this under! You also can add a bit sugar with both yeast to assist it get activated.

Tips for making the perfect cinnamon rolls

1. Don’t overheat your milk. It needs to be between 105-115 levels F. Anything hotter is prone to kill the yeast, which suggests the cinnamon rolls won’t rise. A easy tip is to dip your finger within the milk — it ought to really feel heat just like heat bathtub water however not HOT. If you warmed it up an excessive amount of, merely wait a couple of minutes till it cools down sufficient to the touch.
2. Make positive to make use of room temperature butter for the filling: plenty of recipes name for utilizing melted butter within the filling, however that may trigger the filling to leak out earlier than baking. Room temperature butter is greatest!
3. Rub the brown sugar into the butter: after you unfold out the softened butter, it’s essential to rub the brown sugar into the butter and dough in order that it’s effectively mixed. Please seek advice from the video!
4. Use a room temperature egg within the dough: when you use a chilly egg, there’s an opportunity it may have an effect on the yeast or combine with the melted butter and trigger it to coagulate. To carry your eggs to room temperature merely place them in a bowl of heat water for a couple of minutes.
5. Use bread flour: bread flour is accessible at most grocery shops and it makes ALL the distinction in reaching softer, fluffy, good cinnamon rolls. JUST TRUST ME.
6. Make positive you flour your work floor and the rolling pin: that is to forestall the cinnamon rolls from sticking to the floor or to the rolling pin.

Tools you’ll have to make cinnamon rolls from scratch

Here are some kitchen instruments I like to recommend that may assist make this cinnamon roll recipe a hit:

• Stand mixer. You’ll need to use the dough hook in your stand mixer to simply knead the dough earlier than rolling it out. Don’t have a stand mixer? No worries! You also can knead the dough by hand.
• Wooden spoon. I like to recommend mixing your dough along with a wooden spoon.
• Rolling pin. For rolling out that lovely dough. Pro tip: when you don’t have a rolling pin you may as well flour up a wine bottle!
• Serrated knife. Using a serrated knife will make it easier to lower the cinnamon rolls out after you roll the dough up. You also can use floss.
• 9×9 inch pan. I like to recommend utilizing a 9×9 inch baking pan or 9-inch round pan in order that the cinnamon rolls match effectively and bake correctly.

Storing tips

Feel free to retailer your freshly baked cinnamon rolls coated at room temp for 1-2 days, then switch them to the fridge for as much as 5 days. Simply reheat within the microwave to get them tender and gooey once more!

How to make in a single day cinnamon rolls

After rolling the cinnamon rolls up, lower them as directed, prepare them in a pan lined with parchment paper, cowl effectively with plastic wrap then place them within the fridge in a single day. When you’re able to bake, carry the cinnamon rolls to room temperature and allow them to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour earlier than baking as directed.

How to freeze cinnamon rolls

• To freeze earlier than baking: the dough needs to be frozen after the primary rise (as soon as they’re rolled up with the filling in and lower). Place right into a pan and canopy effectively, then place in freezer. When you’re able to bake, let the dough thaw within the fridge — ideally in a single day, then put in a heat spot for half-hour to 1 hour earlier than baking to activate the second rise. Bake cinnamon rolls as directed.
• To freeze after baking: permit the cinnamon rolls to return to room temperature after baking, then you’ll be able to select to both freeze the complete pan, ensuring they’re effectively wrapped or coated in an hermetic container, or you’ll be able to select to freeze particular person cinnamon rolls. When able to eat, defrost the cinnamon rolls at room temperature, then heat within the oven at 350 levels F for 10-Quarter-hour or you’ll be able to heat them up individually within the microwave for 20-30 seconds (as soon as defrosted). I favor to freeze them earlier than they’re iced, after which frost them when able to eat. The icing can be freezer-friendly!

Your cinnamon roll questions: answered

Be positive to learn by means of the complete submit for solutions to frequent questions on making cinnamon rolls. A couple of extra frequent questions that I get:

1. Can I take advantage of all function flour? The recipe will nonetheless work with all function flour (and readers have used it with success) however I extremely advocate sticking with bread flour as a result of, as I discussed, it’s what makes these cinnamon rolls further fluffy and scrumptious.
2. Why did the middles come out of my cinnamon rolls? This can occur when you roll them a bit too tightly or your pan is just too small. Be positive to chop dough off of the ends of your cinnamon roll log as proven within the video under in order that the rolls all slot in your pan.
3. Can I double the recipe? Yep! Just bear in mind to make use of a bigger pan.
4. What can I do if my dough is just too sticky whereas kneading? Simply add a bit extra flour, a couple of tablespoon at a time, till it’s simpler to work with.
5. Can I take advantage of a bread maker? I haven’t examined this recipe utilizing a bread maker, however readers within the feedback have executed so with success!
6. Can I add mix-ins to the filling? You guess! I feel chopped nuts, raisins, and even different spices like pumpkin pie spice can be scrumptious.

Watch me make this cinnamon roll recipe

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I hope you get an opportunity to check out this cinnamon roll recipe! They are actually a household favourite. Make them, preserve them in your loved ones for generations to return, and share a candy shock with somebody particular in your life. Don’t neglect to charge the recipe under!

The Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat

Prep Time 2 hours hours

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

ServesServes 9 massive cinnamon rolls

The BEST cinnamon rolls within the WORLD. Big, fluffy, tender and completely scrumptious. You’ll by no means return to some other recipe when you do this one! This cinnamon roll recipe contains choices to make them in a single day or forward of time and even freeze them.

Ingredients

• For the dough:
• ¾ cup heat milk (complete milk or 2% most well-liked) (110 levels F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons fast rise or lively yeast (1/4-ounce package deal yeast)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• ¼ cup butter, melted (I favor salted, however unsalted works, too)
• 3 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• For the filling:
• 2/3 cup darkish brown sugar (mild brown sugar additionally works)
• 1 ½ tablespoons floor cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• For the cream cheese frosting:
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Warm milk to round 110 levels F. I like to do that by inserting milk in a microwave protected bowl and microwaving it for 40-45 seconds. It needs to be like heat bathtub water. Transfer heat milk to the bowl of an electrical mixer and sprinkle yeast on high. Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Mix till effectively mixed. Next stir in flour and salt with a wood spoon till a dough begins to kind.

• Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium pace for 8 minutes. Dough ought to kind into a pleasant ball and be barely sticky. If it is TOO sticky (that means it is sticking to the underside of the mixer, add in 2 tablespoons extra bread flour.) If you don’t need to use an electrical mixer, you should use your palms to knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a well-floured floor.

• Transfer dough ball to a well-oiled bowl, cowl with plastic wrap and a heat towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or till doubled in measurement. This might roughly time relying the humidity and temperature in your house.

• After dough has doubled in measurement, switch dough to a well-floured floor and roll out right into a 14×9 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a ¼ inch margin on the far facet of the dough.

• In a small bowl, combine collectively brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your palms to sprinkle combination over the buttered dough, then rub the brown sugar combination into the butter.

• Tightly roll dough up, ranging from the 9-inch facet and place seam facet down ensuring to seal the perimeters of the dough as greatest you’ll be able to. You will most likely want to chop off about an inch off the ends of the dough because the ends received’t be as stuffed with cinnamon sugar as we’d need it to be.

• Cut into 1 inch sections with a serrated knife or floss. You ought to get 9 massive items.

• Place cinnamon rolls in a greased 9×9 inch baking pan or spherical 9 inch cake pan. (I additionally advocate lining the pan with parchment paper as effectively, in case any of the filling finally ends up leaking out.) Cover with plastic wrap and a heat towel and let rise once more for 30-45 minutes.

• Preheat oven to 350 levels F. Remove plastic wrap and towel and bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or till simply barely golden brown on the perimeters. You need to underbake them a bit in order that they keep tender within the center, that’s why we would like them simply barely golden brown. Allow them to chill for 5-10 minutes earlier than frosting. Makes 9 cinnamon rolls.

• To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electrical mixer, mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat till easy and fluffy. Spread over cinnamon rolls and serve instantly. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

To make in a single day cinnamon rolls:
After inserting rolls into the greased pan (after the primary rise), merely cowl, place in a single day within the fridge after which bake them within the morning as directed. I prefer to carry my cinnamon rolls to room temperature first by leaving them on the counter for 30-45 minutes earlier than baking (this is named the second rise).
Check the weblog submit for directions on how you can freeze cinnamon rolls, plus extra tips, tips and FAQs!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen Photography: Sarah Fennel

This submit was initially printed in May 2017, republished in November 2021, and republished in December 2022.