A cinnamon roll is a sweet, soft pastry made from yeast-leavened dough, rolled with a filling of cinnamon, sugar, and butter, and often topped with a glaze or cream cheese frosting. They’re a classic breakfast or dessert treat, famous for their soft, swirled layers and warm, comforting flavor.
Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe (makes 12 rolls)
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Make the dough:
- Combine warm milk and yeast; let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour to form a soft dough.
- Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Let rise in a greased bowl for 1–2 hours, until doubled.
- Prepare the filling:
- Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a spreadable paste.
- Shape the rolls:
- Roll dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly.
- Roll dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Second rise:
- Place rolls in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze:
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.
💡 Tips:
- For extra richness, use cream cheese frosting instead of a simple glaze.
- Add raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips to the filling for variation.
- Serve warm—the rolls are best eaten the day they’re baked.
I can also give a quick 1-hour cinnamon roll version that skips the long yeast rise if you want something fast.
