Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe You’ll Want for Every Weekend

Cinnamon rolls elevate ordinary breakfasts into extraordinary sensory journeys with their hypnotic fragrance and pillowy texture.

These spiraled delights whisper promises of comfort in every golden-brown layer.

Bakers worldwide have fallen in love with the transformative magic of these sweet treats.

Warm spices dance through tender dough, creating a symphony of flavor that awakens sleepy taste buds.

Silky swirls promise decadence in each carefully crafted bite.

The alchemy of butter, sugar, and cinnamon turns basic ingredients into pure culinary poetry.

Unleash a wave of deliciousness that will make your kitchen feel like a sweet sanctuary.

Frosting, Rolling, and Baking Tips

Control dough rising by placing it in a warm, draft-free area like inside an unheated oven with the light on, ensuring consistent temperature for perfect texture.

Use softened butter at room temperature for easier spreading and more even distribution of filling, preventing tough spots in your cinnamon rolls.

Utilize unflavored dental floss for clean, precise cuts through the dough log, preventing squishing and maintaining beautiful roll shapes.

Prepare rolls up to the point of second rising, then freeze unbaked. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and bake fresh, giving you make-ahead convenience without sacrificing taste.

Serving Cinnamon Rolls Warm and Gooey

  • Cozy Morning Companion: Pair these cinnamon rolls with a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee or a fragrant herbal tea for a comforting breakfast experience.
  • Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the rolls on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh berries and mint leaves to create an Instagram-worthy brunch spread that'll impress guests.
  • Sweet Dessert Transformation: Crumble the cooled rolls over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a decadent dessert that repurposes your delightful morning treat into an evening indulgence.
  • Family Sharing Ritual: Serve the rolls directly from the baking pan, encouraging everyone to pull apart and enjoy the warm, gooey goodness together, creating memorable moments around the table.

Storage Tips to Keep Rolls Soft

  • Preserve Fresh Flavor: Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining their soft texture and delightful taste.
  • Refrigerate for Extended Freshness: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Individually wrap unbaked or baked rolls in freezer-safe wrap, storing them for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Revive and Reheat Perfectly: Warm refrigerated or frozen rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their just-baked warmth and softness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 11

Joy of Cooking Cinnamon Rolls Ingredient List

For Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached, high-quality flour for better texture and rise.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Select fresh yeast with recent expiration date for optimal rising power.
  • Dried Milk Powder: Enhances softness and adds subtle richness to the roll's flavor.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Milk, Butter: Select full-fat dairy for richer, more luxurious rolls.
  • Sugar: Use granulated white sugar for consistent sweetness.
  • Salt: Opt for fine sea salt to balance and elevate overall flavor profile.
For Filling and Topping:
  • Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Choose freshly ground cinnamon for intense aromatic experience.
  • Cold Butter: Use high-fat European-style butter for deeper, more complex taste.
  • Flour: Adds structure to filling mixture.
  • Raisins, Chopped Nuts: Select plump, moist raisins or crunchy fresh nuts for textural contrast.
  • Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream: Pick pure powdered sugar for silky smooth glaze.
  • Eggs: Use fresh, room temperature eggs for seamless dough integration.

Baking Tools to Make These Rolls Rise

  • Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining dry and wet ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and spices.
  • Whisk or Wooden Spoon: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly.
  • Kitchen Towel: Covers dough during rising process.
  • Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough into a thin rectangle.
  • Sharp Knife or Dental Floss: Ideal for cutting rolls into equal pieces.
  • 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: Provides perfect space for rolls to rise and bake.
  • Oven: Essential for baking rolls to golden perfection.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows rolls to cool evenly after baking.
  • Small Bowl: Mixing glaze ingredients.
  • Spatula or Spoon: Drizzling glaze over warm rolls.

How to Prepare These Sweet Morning Rolls

How to Prepare These Sweet Morning Rolls

Create Soft And Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

  • Prepare Dough Foundation

Mix flour with yeast in a spacious bowl. Create a soft base that will transform into pillowy rolls. Activate the yeast gently to ensure perfect rising.

  • Blend Liquid Ingredients

Warm milk, butter, sugar, and salt together. Pour slowly into flour mixture, stirring until a silky smooth texture develops. Ensure ingredients combine seamlessly for rich flavor.

  • Develop Elastic Dough

Knead the mixture thoroughly on a lightly floured surface. Work the dough until it becomes smooth and stretchy, about 8 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating completely for a tender texture.

  • Allow First Rising

Transfer dough to a greased container. Cover with a soft cloth and place in a cozy spot. Let the dough expand and rise until it doubles in size, developing deep flavor and airy texture.

  • Create Aromatic Filling

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter into a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle with a hint of flour to enhance texture. The filling will create a swirling, fragrant center in each roll.

  • Shape And Fill Rolls

Roll dough into a generous rectangle. Spread filling generously, leaving a small border. Carefully roll into a tight log, creating beautiful spirals of sweet cinnamon goodness.

  • Cut And Prepare Final Rise

Slice the log into even portions using a sharp knife. Arrange rolls in a buttered baking pan. Allow a final rise, letting the dough become puffy and light.

  • Bake To Golden Perfection

Heat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls until they turn a beautiful golden brown. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma of warm cinnamon and sweet dough.

  • Finish With Creamy Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar with cream until smooth. Drizzle generously over warm rolls, creating a decadent finishing touch that makes every bite pure bliss.

Print
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Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Homemade cinnamon rolls with classic American warmth deliver comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet spirals promise delightful moments where flavor and nostalgia intertwine, and you will savor each tender, aromatic bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ½ cups (590 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ oz package (2 tsp) (7 g) active dry yeast
  • 3 large eggs (150 g), at room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml/g) milk
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, diced
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold (cut into pieces)
  • ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated white sugar
  • ¾ cup (155 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp (2 g) salt
  • 3 tbsps (21 g) dried milk powder (optional)
  • ½ cup (50 g) raisins or currants and/or chopped nuts (optional)
  • ¾ cup (90 g) powdered (confectioners or icing) sugar
  • about 2 tbsps half-and-half or light cream
  • half-and-half (or light cream)

Instructions

  1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, instant dry milk, and yeast in a large mixing bowl, creating a foundational mixture for the cinnamon rolls.
  2. Liquid Integration: Introduce warmed milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt into the flour mixture, stirring until a uniform consistency develops.
  3. Kneading Process: Gradually fold in remaining flour, working the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, pulling cleanly from the bowl’s edges.
  4. Egg Incorporation: Gently fold eggs into the dough, one at a time, ensuring complete integration to enhance richness and texture.
  5. First Rise: Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
  6. Cinnamon Filling Creation: Blend brown sugar, ground cinnamon, flour, and cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly breadcrumbs.
  7. Dough Rolling and Filling: Punch down risen dough, roll out on a floured surface into a rectangular shape, then evenly distribute cinnamon filling, optionally adding nuts or raisins.
  8. Roll Formation: Tightly roll the dough into a log, sealing the edge with water to prevent unraveling, then slice into 8 equal portions.
  9. Second Rise and Baking Preparation: Arrange rolls in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise until nearly doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes, while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  10. Baking and Finishing: Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden-brown, then brush with cream wash for shine and softness, and drizzle with a smooth powdered sugar and heavy cream glaze before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Warm Milk Precision: Use a thermometer to ensure milk is exactly 110°F for optimal yeast activation and perfect dough development.
  • Dough Rising Secrets: Choose a consistently warm spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on for ideal rising conditions.
  • Rolling Technique: Roll dough into a precise rectangle and spread filling evenly to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
  • Glaze Consistency Control: Add cream gradually to powdered sugar to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, smooth drizzling texture that complements the rolls perfectly.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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