Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting! I made mine by preparing and placing in fridge to rise overnight! Super easy!
Ingredients ✨
Dough
1 cup warm milk
2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup sugar
3 tbsp melted butter
1egg
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
Filling
¼ cup softened butter
½ cup brown sugar
1½ tbsp cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
½–¾ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Instructions 📑
1️⃣Activate yeast
Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2️⃣Make dough
Stir in butter and egg.
Add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3️⃣Knead (just a little)
Knead on a floured surface for 3–5 minutes until smooth.
4️⃣Rise
Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 45 minutes–1 hour until doubled.
5️⃣Roll & fill
Roll dough into a rectangle.
Spread butter, then sprinkle brown sugar + cinnamon.
6️⃣Roll & cut
Roll up, slice into 8–10 rolls.
7️⃣Second rise (short!) (or place in fridge overnight after placed in greased pan and covered!
Place in greased pan, cover, and rise 20 minutes.
Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–22 minutes.
Frost
Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
Spread on warm rolls and immediately feel accomplished.
Making homemade cinnamon rolls can be a delightful kitchen project that fills your home with a wonderful aroma and provides a warm, comforting treat. This recipe streamlines the process by allowing the dough to rise overnight in the fridge, which not only simplifies your morning or holiday prep but also develops a richer flavor. When activating the yeast, ensuring the milk is warm (not hot) is essential to create the perfect foamy mixture that will help the dough rise correctly. Using active dry yeast is reliable, but depending on your environment, you might consider instant yeast for a quicker rising process. The dough benefits from a light knead, just enough to bring together the ingredients and develop gluten, which gives the rolls their characteristic fluffiness. The overnight rise in the refrigerator is particularly helpful for busy schedules and also allows the dough to ferment slowly, improving texture and flavor. Rolling out the dough to a rectangle and evenly spreading the softened butter before sprinkling the cinnamon and brown sugar filling ensures every bite is luscious and balanced with sweetness and spice. Using a pizza cutter to slice the rolled dough helps achieve uniform rolls that bake evenly. Baking at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–22 minutes results in golden, soft rolls. Once baked, spreading the cream cheese frosting while the rolls are still warm helps the frosting melt slightly, adding a decadent creamy layer that complements the cinnamon perfectly. This recipe is highly adaptable; you can add nuts or raisins for extra texture. Also, the overnight fridge rise makes it perfect for preparing ahead of events or gifts. The included hashtags like #holidaybaking and #holidayeats suggest this recipe is a great addition to festive menus, helping you impress family and friends with minimal effort. Overall, this homemade cinnamon roll recipe balances simplicity with delicious results, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned bakers looking to enjoy fresh cinnamon rolls anytime.
You did it! These look so yummy 🔥