Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

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If you like your Homemade Cinnamon Rolls gooey, rich, and drowning in cream cheese icing, this is the recipe for you! The dough is made with yeast because there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Homemade cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet.


 

Nothing says “I love you” like a pan of giant gooey, fluffy cinnamon rolls. Out of all the cinnamon roll recipes, this version is my absolute favorite, and I know you’ll love it too.

I used my grandma’s homemade crescent roll dough for the base, then I topped it with plenty of chunky cinnamon and sugar filling.

But the secret ingredient to the best cinnamon rolls is heavy cream: pour it over the rolls after the second proofing, before baking. Top with generous dollops of cream cheese frosting, and you’ll forget whatever a “Cinnabon” is.

Recipe ingredients

Labeled cinnamon roll ingredients in various bowls.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Active dry yeast: Fleischmann’s, Red Star, Bob’s Red Mill, or Saf are all good brands. Just make sure the yeast is fresh and hasn’t expired. Can you use instant yeast? Yes you can. Keep reading–I’ll show you how to tell if yeast is good.
  • Heavy cream: This is a make-or-break ingredient that gives these cinnamon buns extra-special gooey appeal. Adding slightly warm heavy cream will keep the rolls rising as they should during baking.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a scalding temperature (when a skin forms on top of the milk, about 170 degrees), stirring frequently. Remove immediately from heat after scalding.
Scalded milk in a saucepan.
  1. Meanwhile, combine ⅓ cup butter (just over 5 tablespoons butter), sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour scalded milk over the top and cool to 110 degrees to 115 degrees, stirring occasionally. Whisk in the eggs.
Eggs mixed with scalded milk and butter.
  1. While the scalded milk mixture is cooling, add the yeast to the warm water (110 degrees) and let it “bloom” for 5 minutes.
Activating yeast in warm water.
  1. In an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine 4 ½ cups flour, yeast, and water. With the motor running on low, slowly drizzle in the scalded milk mixture.
Making cinnamon roll dough in a mixer.
  1. Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix until shiny and smooth, 6 to 10 minutes. If the dough is sticky after 3 minutes, add the remaining ½ cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Using a small, microwave-safe dish, melt the remaining butter for 15 to 20 seconds.
Cinnamon roll dough in a standing mixer.
  1. Turn out the cinnamon roll dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball. Place in a large bowl and brush with 1 tsp melted butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Cinnamon roll dough before rising.
  1. Let proof (rise) in a warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees) until doubled in volume, about 1 ½ to 2 hours (see note 8).
Cinnamon roll dough after rising.
  1. While the dough is rising, mix the filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, and salt until combined. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with nonstick spray. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12-inch by 18-inch rectangle and brush with the remaining melted butter.
Brushing butter on rolled out cinnamon roll dough.
  1. Sprinkle filling to within ½ inch of the edge of the dough and press into an even layer. Using a bench scraper or metal spatula, loosen the dough from the counter if necessary.
Sprinkling cinnamon roll dough with filling.
  1. Starting at the long edge of the rectangle, roll the dough to form a tight cylinder. Pinch seam to seal. Arrange the cylinder seam side down and cut it into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Using your hand, slightly flatten each piece of dough to seal open edges and keep the filling in place.
Cinnamon rolls rolled up and cut into pieces.
  1. Arrange rolls in prepared baking dish. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap.
Cut cinnamon rolls in a baking pan before baking.
  1. Let proof in a warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees) until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes (see note 3). Pour heavy cream evenly over the rolls after this second proofing.
Someone pouring glaze over unbaked cinnamon rolls.
  1. While the rolls are proofing the 2nd time, make the icing. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, buttermilk, and powdered sugar and stir until smooth.
Cream cheese icing in a bowl.
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake until the rolls are golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Switch the positions and rotate the orientation of the sheets halfway through baking time. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with icing.
Cinnamon rolls after glazing in a pan.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 12 tall, gooey cinnamon rolls.
  • Storage: Store leftover cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Make ahead: These cinnamon rolls can be made to the point of the second rise (once they’re rolled out, cut, and added to the pan). Cover them, refrigerate the pan until morning, then bring them out and let them go through their second rise. Add heavy cream and bake, proceeding with the recipe as planned.
  • Freezer: Roll out, cut, and fill the baking pan with the cinnamon buns. Wrap the baking pan in multiple layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 1 month. They need to be packaged especially well to avoid freezer burn. When ready to bake, take them out and move the to the refrigerator, letting them thaw overnight. The next morning, take them out and let them warm up while you preheat the oven. Bake according to the recipe, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
  • Room temperature ingredients: When it comes to baking, using room temperature ingredients, especially eggs, is important. If you forgot to leave the eggs out,  warm them up in a bowl of warm water.
  • Blooming yeast: In this recipe, you add yeast to ¼ cup lukewarm water (90-110 degrees). At the end of 5-10 minutes, the yeast should look foamy. If it does not, the yeast isn’t alive and should be discarded. Yeast activates at 40 degrees and dies at 140 degrees.
  • Proofing: “Proofing” is a fancy term of waiting for yeasted dough to rise. To create the perfect place for proofing, preheat your oven to its minimum temperature (170°F, 200°F, etc.), but shut it off once the temperature reaches 110°F.  Place your dough (in a greased bowl, covered with plastic wrap), on a baking sheet and in the oven.  The oven temperature will drop when you open the oven door, but enough residual heat will remain that your dough should steadily rise. In this recipe, the dough should double in 90 minutes to 2 hours under these conditions.
  • Orange icing: For an orange twist, add a tablespoon or two of orange juice and a tablespoon of fresh orange zest to the icing.
  • Maple and pecans: Add ½ cup of finely chopped pecans to the filling mix as well as 1 tablespoon of real maple syrup and a splash of vanilla extract for another layer of cinnamon bun perfection. You can add even more toasted chopped nuts over the icing if you want to.
Cinnamon rolls on a plate next to pan of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns?

These are the answers we need, and I’m here for it! But seriously, cinnamon rolls you bake in the pan and then add a glaze. With cinnamon buns, you flip them over in the pan after baking, and the caramel glaze previously on the bottom is now on top and functions as the topping.

How do you keep cinnamon rolls moist?

Be sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can store them in the refrigerator, but the constant cold will dry them out over time, no matter how tightly you wrap them.

Do you need baking powder for cinnamon rolls?

This recipe is based on a yeast bread dough, so you don’t need baking powder or baking soda in this recipe. Yeast is the leavening agent.

Is it hard to make cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon rolls are a decent beginner baking project as far as yeast recipes go. If you can read the recipe, organize your ingredients ahead of time, and have access to the proper equipment, you can certainly make homemade cinnamon rolls without too much stress. Being organized and having a relaxed schedule for the day will contribute to your success.

How long do homemade cinnamon rolls last?

Store cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the unbaked rolls for up to 1 month. Be sure to wrap them extremely well in multiple layers of freezer-safe packaging to avoid freezer burn.

More sweet breakfast ideas

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Homemade cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

If you like your Homemade Cinnamon Rolls gooey, rich, and drowning in cream cheese icing, this is the recipe for you! The dough is made with yeast because there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total proofing time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 485
4.95 from 18 votes

Ingredients 

For the dough:

For the filling:

For the icing:

Instructions 

To make the dough:

  • In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a scalding temperature (when a skin forms on top of the milk, about 170 degrees), stirring frequently. Remove immediately from heat after scalding.
  • Meanwhile, combine ⅓ cup butter, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour scalded milk over the top and cool to 110 degrees to 115 degrees, stirring occasionally. Whisk in the eggs.
  • While the scalded milk mixture is cooling, add the yeast to the warm water (110 degrees) and let it "bloom" for 5 minutes.
  • In an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine 4 ½ cups flour, yeast, and water. With the motor running on low, slowly drizzle in the scalded milk mixture.
  • Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix until shiny and smooth, 6 to 10 minutes. If the dough is sticky after 3 minutes, add the remaining ½ cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Using a small, microwave-safe dish, melt the remaining butter for 15 to 20 seconds.
  • Turn out the dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl and brush with 1 teaspoon melted butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let proof (rise) in a warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees) until doubled in volume, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.

To make the filling:

  • While the dough is rising, mix the filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
  • Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with nonstick spray. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12-inch by 18-inch rectangle and brush with the remaining melted butter.
  • Sprinkle filling to within ½ inch of the edge of the dough and press into an even layer. Using a bench scraper or metal spatula, loosen the dough from the counter if necessary.
  • Starting at a long edge of the rectangle, roll the dough to form a tight cylinder. Pinch seam to seal. Arrange cylinder seam side down and cut into 12 equal pieces. Using your hand, slightly flatten each piece of dough to seal open edges and keep the filling in place.
  • Arrange rolls in prepared cake pan. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let proof in a warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees) until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes (see note 3). Pour heavy cream evenly over the rolls after this second proofing.

To make the icing:

  • While the rolls are proofing the 2nd time, make the icing. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, buttermilk, and powdered sugar and stir until smooth.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake until the rolls are golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Switch the positions and rotate the orientation of the sheets halfway through baking time. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with icing.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Active dry yeast: Fleischmann’s, Red Star, Bob’s Red Mill, or Saf are all good brands. Just make sure the yeast is fresh and hasn’t expired. Can you use instant yeast? Yes you can. Keep reading–I’ll show you how to tell if yeast is good.
  2. Heavy cream: This is a make-or-break ingredient that gives these cinnamon buns extra-special gooey appeal. Adding slightly warm heavy cream will keep the rolls rising as they should during baking.
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 12 tall, gooey cinnamon rolls.
  4. Storage: Store leftover cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 rollCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 488mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 758IUCalcium: 68mgIron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. Small Issue. You say above that the filling ingredients contain granulated sugar, but when the instructions come up it doesn’t say that you add the sugar. Obviously we need to add it, but it can be confusing for a lot of people. Myself included.4 stars

    1. Hi Sara, so sorry about that. I’ve fixed it in the recipe instructions. Thank you and sorry again! – Meggan

  2. So excited to make these ! Can I make 2 days in advance and store in the fridge before the second rise?

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Leah, I haven’t tried it myself but I believe you can. I would punch the dough down after the first 24 hours in the refrigerator, cover it, and continue to refrigerate until the next day. Then proceed as directed in the recipe. The second rise may take longer. I hope this helps! – Meggan

  3. Hey! I’ve never made cinnamon rolls and I’m concerned about the milk and egg sitting warm inside the dough to proof in my oven. Is this safe?

    1. Hi Kela! If you’re thinking of the temperature danger zone and perishable foods, they are all fine at room temperature for up to 2 hours.Here is the link from the FDA on that: https://www.fda.gov/media/84739/download
      Your question has never occurred to me in all my years of baking or all the countless recipes that do things like this (adding milk or eggs to a bread dough or something like that). So many recipes include this and I never thought about the safety aspect. I appreciate the question. Thank you! -Meggan

    2. Its standard for all enriched doughs and the rolls are cooked past 165° (190-200°), so that all potential pathogens are killed anyway.

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