Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

4.84 from 18 votes

These easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are packed with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and icing. Fluffy cinnamon rolls are always a hit for breakfast!

Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

You ready for the best cinnamon roll recipe? I think everyone has their own idea of what makes perfect cinnamon rolls. For me….I like the rolls soft with LOTS of buttery cinnamon and sugar swirled throughout. There’s nothing worse than anticipating that first bite of a cinnamon roll and it’s dry and bread-like with minimal cinnamon goodness right?

So, there you have it, I call these my perfect rolls because my dough is amazingly soft with gobs and gobs of butter/cinnamon/sugar swirled and as you can see I kinda like a touch of cream cheese frosting on top. If this sounds like the kind of cinnamon roll you like as well……you might want to make these 🙂

Try my Chocolate Hazelnut Sweet Rolls too! Follow Picky Palate on Instagram for daily recipe inspiration.

while bowls with ingredients for cinnamon rolls

What You’ll Need

To make homemade cinnamon rolls you’ll need the following pantry staples. See the recipe card below for specific amounts.

Cinnamon Roll Dough

  • Active Dry Yeast– Find the yeast in the baking section of the grocery store. Yeast helps the rolls rise.
  • Granulated Sugar– Sugar brings the sweetness to the rolls.
  • Warm water– Warm water will help activate the yeast.
  • Unsalted melted butter– Melted butter is part of the wet ingredients for the rolls.
  • Whole milk or heavy cream– Milk is added to the dough as part of the wet ingredients.
  • Large egg– An egg is added to the dough.
  • All-Purpose flour– Flour is the main dry ingredient for the rolls.
  • Kosher salt– Kosher salt is a coarse salt commonly used in cooking and baking.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

  • unsalted softened butter– You’ll use softened butter as part of the filling that is spread over the dough before rolling into a log.
  • light brown sugar– Brown sugar is mixed with granulated sugar and cinnamon as part of the cinnamon roll filling.
  • granulated sugar– The sugar is added to the brown sugar and cinnamon as part of the filling.
  • ground cinnamon– Cinnamon gives the cinnamon rolls that signature cinnamon roll spice.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • cream cheese- Make sure your cream cheese is softened for a smooth frosting.
  • unsalted butter– The butter needs to be softened as well to create that nice smooth frosting.
  • powdered sugar– Also called confectioners sugar, this helps make the frosting and give it sweetness.

A frosted cinnamon bun on a white plate.

How To Make the Cinnamon Rolls

Proof yeast: Place yeast and sugar into stand mixer then add warm water and gently stir. Let sit until yeast has doubled, about 10 minutes.

yeast mixture rising

Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and warm milk. Add butter and milk mixture to yeast mixture with the dough hook attachment on low speed then add sugar and egg mixing until combined.

adding eggs to mixer

Mix and add dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Add 2 cups of flour mixture to the mixer at a time scraping sides of bowl, continuing to add remaining flour until the dough starts to clean sides of mixing bowl.

How Long Do I Knead Cinnamon Roll Dough?

Let the dough kneed for 7 minutes. When dough is ready, transfer to a large bowl.

Transfer your dough to a floured counter top and dust with flour as well as your hands. Break out your favorite rolling pin and get rolling. Don’t forget to dust it with flour too.

punching down dough in a bowl

Let dough rise. Place dough into a large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a barely warm oven for 45-60 minutes, until dough doubles in size. Dough should double in size, about an hour. My favorite part. After it’s doubled, give it a good punch.

rolling out dough

With a floured rolling pin, roll dough.

rolled out dough next to tape measure

How Big Should I Roll Cinnamon Roll Dough?

Dough should be approximately 19-24 inches wide and 14 inches long.

buttering dough

Spread softened butter over entire surface of dough. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over buttered dough.

sprinkling dough with cinnamon sugar

Sprinkle dough with cinnamon sugar mixture.

rolling up dough filled with cinnamon sugar

How To Roll Rolls

Starting at long end of dough, carefully roll into a log shape. Using dental floss or knife, cut rolls into 1 1/2 inch pieces.

dough formed in log shape

Looks like a perfect little log shape. Place seam side down on the counter before slicing.

sliced cinnamon roll log

Keep slicing them until you reach the end. I do about 1 1/2 inch slices.

sliced cinnamon rolls doing second rise

Place cut rolls in pan. Take 4 tablespoons softened butter and spread over 13×17 inch jelly roll pan lined with a silpat liner or parchment paper then sprinkle with brown sugar. Place 4 rolls per row close to each other, about 1/2 inch apart.

cinnamon rolls after second rise

Second rise. Place into a barely warm oven (turn oven to warm for 5 minutes, then turn off right before placing rolls in oven to let rise) for 45-60 minutes or until rolls have doubled in size.

baked unfrosted cinnamon rolls

Preheat oven, then bake. Remove rolls from oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake rolls for 15-17 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and baked through. Set aside to cool slightly.

adding frosting to cinnamon rolls

How To Make Cinnamon Roll Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter. Place cream cheese and butter into your clean stand mixer bowl and beat until smooth and combined. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved. I prefer 2-3 cups. Spread cream cheese frosting over warm rolls. Serve warm or let cool and enjoy room temperature. If serving the next day refrigerate then warm in the microwave individual rolls for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.

frosted cinnamon roll on a spatula

How To Serve

Serve cinnamon rolls warm or room temperature at your next occasion. Perfect for holidays and brunch.

How To Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat as needed.

Tips For Making Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

  1. Check your Active Dry Yeast to make sure it’s fresh before getting started.
  2. Don’t substitute any ingredients in recipe for best results
  3. Serve warm
  4. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for 3 days in refrigerator. Warm up before re-serving.
4.84 from 18 votes

Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

The Perfect Cinnamon Rolls are packed with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and icing. This delicious breakfast is always a huge hit!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 17 minutes
Servings: 18 rolls
Calories: 417kcal
Author: Jenny
Cost: $25
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Equipment

  • Oven
  • stand mixer
  • hand mixer
  • Rolling Pin
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water 115 degrees F.
  • 8 tablespoons 1stick unsalted melted butter
  • 3/4 cup warmed whole milk or heavy cream 115 degrees F.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 cups All-Purpose flour plus more for dusting counters
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cinnamon/Sugar Layer

  • 8 tablespoons 1stick unsalted softened butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter for buttering pan
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar for sprinkling over buttered pan

Frosting

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick softened unsalted butter
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Place yeast and sugar into stand mixer then add warm water and gently stir. Let sit until yeast has doubled, about 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and warm milk. Add butter and milk mixture to yeast mixture with the dough hook attachment on low speed then add sugar and egg mixing until combined. In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt.
  • Add 2 cups of flour mixture to the mixer at a time scraping sides of bowl, continuing to add remaining flour until the dough starts to clean sides of mixing bowl. Kneed dough on low speed for 7 minutes. Place dough onto a floured counter and kneed dough until it does not stick to your hands. Place dough into a large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a barely warm oven for 45-60 minutes, until dough doubles in size.
  • Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured counter top. With a floured rolling pin, roll dough into an approximate 14x24 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch in thickness. Spread softened butter over entire surface of dough. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over buttered dough. Starting at long end of dough, carefully roll into a log shape. Using dental floss or knife, cut rolls into 1 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Take 4 tablespoons softened butter and spread on bottom of 9x13 inch pan then sprinkle with brown sugar. Place 4 rolls per row close to each other, about 1/2 inch apart. Place into a barely warm oven (turn oven to warm for 5 minutes, then turn off right before placing rolls in oven to let rise) for 45-60 minutes or until rolls have doubled in size. Remove rolls from oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake rolls for 15-17 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and baked through. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Place cream cheese and butter into your clean stand mixer bowl and beat until smooth and combined. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved. I prefer 2-3 cups. Spread cream cheese frosting over warm rolls. Serve warm or let cool and enjoy room temperature. If serving the next day refrigerate then warm in the microwave individual rolls for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.

Video

Notes

You can also use two 8x8 inch tin pans that make great gifts during the Holidays.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 272mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1.7mg
Keywords: best cinnamon rolls recipe, cinnamon rolls from scratch, homemade cinnamon rolls recipe, how to make cinnamon rolls

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photo collage of cinnamon roll recipe

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209 Responses
  1. Christina

    5 stars
    This has been my go-to cinnamon roll recipe for years and it has never disappointed.
    I use a bit less butter in the filling and to grease the pan and I half the frosting recipe.
    To make the night before, I make the rolls, cover with plastic wrap, and put in fridge. The next morning I put them in a warm oven to wake up the yeast. In about an hour and a half they will double in size. (I frequently reheat my oven for about 20 seconds to keep the air warm.) Then pull them out, preheat my oven, and bake them!

  2. Lael A Chmelyk

    Hi there! This has become my go to recipe for cinnamon rolls, and I am hoping to ask for some clarification. I am hoping to mix the dough, rise in the fridge overnight, and do the rolling filling and second rise in the morning. Will this work or should I rise in the fridge over night after its been rolled and filled instead?
    Thanks!!

    1. JC

      5 stars
      I’ve prepped and done the second rise the day after. I put them in the fridge overnight and let them come to room temp first and then rise in the oven. Technically you could do the first rise in the fridge overnight I don’t trust the temp in my fridge though haha.

  3. Victoria

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe quite a few times and it’s delicious but I always find myself adding substantially more flour than the recipe calls for. Doll should the dough creep up the hook like that or am I still not adding enough flour?

  4. Chelsea

    5 stars
    Made these in Kentucky January 2020 and they were such a hit with my sister and her neighbors! Made them again the summer of 2020 in California for my own neighbors and they loved it as well! This will always be my go to recipe and I am so thankful my dear friend Marci introduced me to picky palate! Making them today while visiting my sister in Idaho and we can’t wait to eat them!

  5. Laura

    5 stars
    These were SO good! I’ve never made cinnamon rolls before and quite frankly I thought they weren’t going to turn out but they were so yummy!

  6. Dina

    5 stars
    Love this recipe!! Can you make ahead and do the second rise in the morning? Can you freeze— if so before or after baking?

        1. Grace

          Hi Sara –
          I have made cinnamon rolls (not this recipe but similar) and put them in the fridge overnight and forgot about them the next morning! I also forgot about them when I got home from work and only remembered until it was too late in the evening. I took them out of the fridge the second morning and they were flat and had lost almost all of the rise. Even leaving them out for an hour before baking they never came back and although edible, they really weren’t very good. I wouldn’t do it again.

      1. Sarah

        I’ve tried freezing and it DOESN’T work 😬. I think it must kill the yeast or something, so I agree, freeze after baking!

  7. Tex Hooper

    Using powdered sugar on cinnamon rolls sounds delicious. I need to get a cinnamon roll recipe for my mom. She wants to have sweets ready for when my kids visit.

  8. Anne

    5 stars
    These rolls live up to their name – perfect! My family requests these for all special occasions. I usually have to add at least an extra cup of flour and let them rise longer than 60 minutes, but they turn out every time! I often put the sliced rolls in the fridge overnight before bringing them to room temperature to bake in the morning. They also freeze beautifully after they’ve been baked. Thanks for an amazing recipe!!!

    1. Courtney

      4 stars
      I also found I needed an extra .5-.75 cup of flour and extra time for the first ride. But this is a solid recipe that I use regularly!!

  9. Cianna

    5 stars
    I’ve used this recipe for a few years. Although I think there is a bit too much sugar for the filling (can add a gritty mouth feel with too much sugar) and the frosting makes more than needed; I still think it is a great foundational recipe.

  10. Margaret

    I’m using Rapid Rise yeast packets, the kind that come in the strip of 3. The amount in 1 packet is a little less than a tablespoon. Do we measure the same for Rapid Rise yeast and regular yeast?

  11. jane

    Do you ever use bread flour for your rolls? I can’t tell what the difference would be in using bread flour and all-purpose flour. Any tips on how to make the cream cheese frosting that doesn’t clump up?

  12. Jen

    Can these be froze? If so, would you freeze them letting them rise? Or before baking them? Or after baking them? Thanks!

    1. Jenny

      Hi Jen,
      I would prepare them up until the second rise right before you would bake them. Freeze at that point. I personally haven’t done this, but I know others have. Of course, you would bring back to room temperature before baking when ready.

    1. Sara Bennett

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe to follow and my rise actually worked!! Usually really poo at using yeast but these came out amazing!!! My only fault was baking them a few mins too long and they came out a tad darker then id loke but still 😋 delocious

  13. Richard

    5 stars
    It was fantastic and your dough is too soft as well and i love your recipe, pictures as well….i will made it now…Thanks for sharing….!

  14. Tyler Norman

    Wonder what your thoughts are…..Made this three times today and not once did the dough rise. Made sure everything was warm enough for yeast to rise (110-115 degrees). Placed in a warm oven with a pan of hot water like you recommend. Yeast was brand new. literally followed step by step. and nothing. any idea why it did not rise?

    1. Teresa

      Start with 120-130 degree water, by the the time you put it in a cold bowl, cold sugar, the temp will be about 115 degrees. I think the 115 degrees is not warm enough.

    2. Sarah

      I have successfully made this recipe multiple times but this just happened to me as well only to realize I used 3 tsp of yeast not TBS, most recipes capitalize Tablespoon to avoid this mistake, I did have a little helper in the kitchen and made the error!

  15. Kylea

    These are the best cinnamon rolls! Can I make them a week ahead and stick them in the freezer? Has anyone tried this?

  16. Grand Marshal

    These are THE BEST cinnamon rolls I’ve ever tasted. They are so soft and yummy! Perfect recipe. Next I’ll be trying with gluten free flour.

    1. City baker

      DId you every try’s these gluten free?? Been looking for a good gluten free cinnamon bun recipe for years!

      1. Jamie S

        5 stars
        Made these for Christmas morning. Prepped on Christmas Eve all the way through the last rise, covered and refrigerated until the morning. Let them come to room temp for around 90 minutes. They took a little longer to cook but they turned out GREAT! It was my first time making cinnamon rolls from scratch. Will definitely use the recipe in the future!

    1. Amanda

      My cinnamon rolls didn’t rise! The dough originally rised after 50 minutes. After I cut my cinnamon rolls they did look like they had more flour on the edges than yours did. Could that be why? I’m going to bake them now to see how they come out. I’m bummed they didn’t rise though.

      1. Jenny

        Hi Amanda, I am wondering if your buttermilk/butter mixture wasn’t warm enough? Usually that’s why the dough wouldn’t rise in the correct timing.

    1. Sheila

      Thats what i do with a cinnamon roll recipe. If you roll them up and cut them and pan them the night before, it makes it easier to prep in the morning. then all you have to do is pull them out and proof them in the oven till theyve risen, and bake! Also I sometimes prep my frosting the night before too, then just remove from fridge to soften while the rolls bake and youre good to go!

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