The Ultimate Soft & Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

Recipe Introduction

Ever find yourself craving that perfect, comforting bite? honestly, nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the house.

Our best cinnamon roll recipe will deliver that exact experience. they're soft, gooey, and absolutely bursting with flavor.

Soft & Gooey: Unveiling the Magic

These aren't your average rolls. the cinnamon rolls recipe we're diving into is a celebration of warmth and deliciousness. think tender dough, a generous swirl of cinnamon-sugar, and a tangy cream cheese frosting recipe to tie it all together.

This is a labour of love, from homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch to the final frosting swirl.

A Baker's Tradition

Cinnamon rolls have a rich history. they're believed to have originated in sweden and spread worldwide. their warm and comforting flavors bring joy.

This easy cinnamon rolls recipe is a medium difficulty, but don't fret. it takes about 2.5- 3 hours to create 12 perfect rolls, ideal for sharing or indulging yourself.

Bountiful Benefits and Blissful Bites

Aside from their undeniable deliciousness, cinnamon rolls offer a touch of comfort. the cinnamon itself has antioxidant properties. these bakery-style cinnamon rolls recipe are perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or even a cozy dessert.

The joy of baking your best cinnamon rolls is in the process. every step is filled with anticipation. from the foamy yeast to the golden-brown crust, you're creating something special.

Let's get started and bake something amazing! and if you want something to prep the night before try our delicious overnight cinnamon roll recipe .

Now, let's talk ingredients.

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks for making the best cinnamon roll recipe ever! I'm practically drooling thinking about it! Honestly, the ingredients are key.

The Ultimate Soft & Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:120 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:12 Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240ml) Whole Milk, lukewarm (about 105-115°F / 40-46°C)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) Active Dry Yeast (or 1 packet)
• ¼ cup (50g) Granulated Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ¼ cup (57g) Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 ½ - 4 cups (420-480g) All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
• ½ cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
• 4 ounces (113g) Cream Cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (57g) Unsalted Butter, softened
• 2 cups (240g) Powdered Sugar, sifted
• 1-2 tablespoons Milk or Heavy Cream
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt

Instructions:

• Combine lukewarm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar in a mixing bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, until foamy.
• Add remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
• Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook or 8-10 minutes by hand, until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
• While the dough is rising, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) in a bowl. Mix well.
• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about 12x18 inches.
• Spread the softened butter mixture evenly over the dough rectangle.
• Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
• Use a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss to slice the log into 12 equal rolls.
• Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
• While the rolls are baking, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Add milk or cream as needed to reach desired consistency. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
• Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting generously. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories:375 calories

Fat:17.5g

Fiber:1g

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients

Right, let's talk ingredients. we need to be specific here. for the dough, you'll need 1 cup (240ml) of lukewarm whole milk.

Make sure it’s actually lukewarm, around 105- 115° f (40- 46° c) . too hot, and you’ll kill the yeast. trust me, i've been there.

You also need 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) of active dry yeast. then, ¼ cup (50g) of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ¼ cup (57g) of melted, slightly cooled unsalted butter.

Don't forget 2 large eggs, lightly beaten, and then 3 ½ - 4 cups (420-480g) of all-purpose flour. start with 3 ½, and add more slowly.

You want a soft, not tough, dough. remember, homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch start with the right flour.

For the filling? we need ½ cup (113g) of softened unsalted butter, ¾ cup (150g) of packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon (good quality stuff!), and a pinch of nutmeg if you're feeling fancy.

Finally, the cream cheese frosting recipe: 4 ounces (113g) of softened cream cheese, ¼ cup (57g) softened butter, 2 cups (240g) of sifted powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Seasoning Notes

Cinnamon and nutmeg are your essential spice combinations here. the nutmeg adds such a warm depth. honestly, use high-quality cinnamon! it makes a massive difference.

Vanilla extract is your flavor enhancers and aromatics . for a quick substitution , if you don't have brown sugar, use white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses.

Boom! solved. soft and gooey cinnamon rolls recipe need the right balance of spices.

Equipment Needed

Alright, for equipment, you need a large mixing bowl. i love my stand mixer; it’s great, but don't fret if you don't have one.

You can knead this dough by hand! a 9x13 inch baking dish is essential , as is a rolling pin.

Grab your measuring cups and spoons, and a small saucepan for melting butter. a wire rack is key for cooling.

Easy cinnamon rolls recipe doesn't need crazy gadgets. honestly, just the basics will do.

Alright, let's dive headfirst into making the absolute best cinnamon roll recipe . forget those sad, dry rolls you buy at the supermarket.

We're talking about soft, gooey, utterly irresistible goodness here. honestly, the aroma alone is worth the effort. i remember one time i burned a batch so badly the smoke alarm went off.

But the faint cinnamon smell was still incredible! let's get started!

Prep Power: Setting Yourself Up for Success

You know, mise en place isn't just a fancy cooking term. it's a lifesaver. it means "everything in its place.

" get all your ingredients measured out. soften that butter. lukewarm that milk ( 105- 115° f / 40- 46° c – not hot!).

This saves so much time. plus, no frantic scrambling for sugar when you're halfway through a step.

Also, when you’re working with yeast, make sure your milk isn't too hot. Seriously, it'll kill the yeast and ruin your dough. And no one wants flat Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Homemade .

Let's Roll: Step-by-Step to Cinnamon Heaven

Okay, here's the breakdown to your bakery-style cinnamon rolls recipe :

1. Wake Up the Yeast: Combine lukewarm milk, yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons), and a teaspoon of sugar. Wait 5- 10 minutes until it gets foamy. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to party.
2. Mix the Dough: Add remaining sugar (¼ cup), salt (1 teaspoon), melted butter (¼ cup), and beaten eggs (2) to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour (3 ½ - 4 cups), mixing until it forms a soft, slightly sticky dough.
3. Knead the Dough: Knead for 5- 7 minutes with a mixer or 8- 10 minutes by hand. It'll be smooth and elastic. Remember seeing my grandma kneading dough? Strong lady!
4. First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Cover it. Let rise for 1-1. 5 hours in a warm spot. It should double in size.
5. Make the Filling: Mix softened butter (½ cup), brown sugar (¾ cup), cinnamon (2 tablespoons), and nutmeg (¼ teaspoon – optional).
6. Roll and Fill: Roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle. Spread that butter mixture evenly.
7. Roll it Up: Tightly roll the dough into a log.
8. Slice and Proof: Slice into 12 rolls. Place in a greased 9x13 inch dish. Let rise for 30- 45 minutes . They should get puffy.

Expert Baking Hacks

Pro tip: use unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls. it’s so clean. it's how you get perfect slices. trust me on this.

A super common mistake is using cold ingredients. your butter needs to be soft. otherwise, you get a lumpy mess.

Want soft and gooey cinnamon rolls recipe ?

You know, you can totally make the dough the night before! after the first rise, wrap it tightly. pop it in the fridge.

Take it out an hour before rolling and baking. this is basically an overnight cinnamon roll recipe , and it saves so much time.

And speaking of frosting, if you want to up your game, try adding a pinch of salt to your cream cheese frosting recipe ! It balances the sweetness so well.

Now, get baking and enjoy these delicious Cinnamon Rolls Recipe ! Trust me; you’ll feel like a domestic goddess.

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of these best cinnamon rolls . after years of trial and error, i've learned a few tricks that elevate them from "good" to "oh my gosh, these are amazing!".

Seriously, prepare for happy faces.

Recipe Notes: Making Cinnamon Roll Recipe Homemade

So, you've got the recipe for soft and gooey cinnamon rolls recipe . but what about the little things? let's talk about serving, storage, and maybe a sneaky variation or two.

This section will make it easier to create homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch like a pro!.

Serving Suggestions: The Art of Presentation

How you serve these bad boys matters. It can be as simple as a dusting of powdered sugar. Or, get fancy with a drizzle of extra cream cheese frosting recipe .

Bakery-style cinnamon rolls recipe sometimes come on a cute plate. a simple arrangement can make all the difference. they pair amazingly with a hot cup of coffee.

Think starbucks, but better, because you made it! a side of fresh berries brightens things up too. honestly, i've even seen people pair them with a mimosa at brunch, because why not?

Storage Tips: Making Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Last

These are so good, they might not last. But, if you're lucky enough to have leftovers, here's what to do.

• Refrigeration: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze unfrosted rolls. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Warm them up in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or in a low oven ( 300° F/ 150° C) for about 10- 15 minutes. The oven method helps revive that fresh-baked texture.

Variations: Playing Around with the Rolls Recipe

Want to mix things up? Here's a few ideas.

• Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular milk for almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version. Use a vegan butter alternative, too. I promise, you won't miss the dairy!.
• Seasonal Swap: In the fall, add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the filling. It gives it that cozy, autumnal vibe.
• Overnight cinnamon roll recipe : Prepare the cinnamon rolls through step 10, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to take the chill off before baking according to instructions in step 11.

Nutrition Basics: Knowing What You're Eating

Let's be real. These aren't exactly health food. But hey, everything in moderation, right? One roll has roughly 350-400 calories. They also pack a punch of happiness.

Key health benefits? well, they boost your mood. okay, maybe not officially a health benefit. it contains calcium (thanks to the milk), so you know, that's something, right? they bring people together.

That's a benefit in my book.

These tips should help you make the best cinnamon roll recipe ever . Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy baking!