An EASY recipe for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls! The rolls are melt-in-your-mouth soft with a buttery cinnamon filling and topped with the best homemade frosting.

You cannot beat the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls in the home, especially for breakfast.

White casserole dish loaded with cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting and a spatula.

Enjoy the detailed video tutorial on How to Make the ULTIMATE homemade cinnamon rolls. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls-

Alright! Step aside Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, this homemade recipe has come to town and it’s BOMB delicious.

Soft, gooey cinnamon rolls with butter cinnamon filling and topped with the absolute best frosting.

Two sweet cinnamon rolls topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.

How to make Cinnamon Rolls?

This is such a simple recipe for classic cinnamon rolls with ingredients you most likely already have on hand.

Cinnamon Roll Dough-

  • Dry ingredients– Measure and sift the flour with the salt into a large bowl. Create a well in the center of the flour. 
  • Wet ingredient– In a saucepan, over low heat, heat the cubed butter, milk, and sugar until butter melts and sugar dissolved. The mixture should be warm, not hot (if it gets too hot, it’ll kill the yeast). Remove from heat and whisk in the eggs.
Step by step collage of how to make homemade cinnamon roll dough.
  • Make dough– Pour the milk mixture into the well and add the yeast, gently stir and cover until yeast is activated and becomes foamy. 
  • Prepare the dough– Mix the dough and knead 3-5 minutes. I just used a Kitchen aid mixer but you can do that by hand. The dough should be slightly sticky. I’d recommend starting with 3 1/4 cups flour, then add 1 Tbsp at a time, as needed. With the flour we use, our dough is perfect with 3 1/3 cups flour.
  • Rise– Cover dough with a towel, keep at room temp. Allow dough to rise for 2 hours.

Cinnamon Roll Filling- 

The cinnamon filling is what adds so much flavor to the cinnamon buns! You want to make sure the butter is softened and at room temperature or else it will not spread.

  • In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.
A bowl of cinnamon roll frosting with a spatula in the bowl next to cinnamon rolls.

Cinnamon Roll Frosting-

This cinnamon roll frosting is not like your ordinary frosting. With the added heavy whipping cream, the frosting is so light and airy and not overly sweet. It is hands down the BEST frosting recipe.

  • Cream together the butter, cream cheese vanilla, and sugar.
  • Add the heavy whipping cream. Beat until frosting is whipped and airy.
Step by step collage on how to assemble the cinnamon rolls.

Roll and Shape Cinnamon Rolls-

Once the filling and frosting is prepared and dough has risen, it’s now time to roll up the cinnamon rolls

  1. Dough- Roll out the dough into a rectangle.
  2. Filling- Spread the butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar. Roll up tightly.
  3. Cut roll- Cut roll into 12 equal parts with a sharp knife or flavorless floss.
  4. Casserole dish- Add to a greased pan and allow to rise another 30 minutes.
  5. Bake: Pour heavy whipping cream over the rolls. Bake cinnamon rolls until tops are golden.
Step by step collage on cinnamon rolls in the baking sheet rising.

TIPS for the BEST Cinnamon rolls-

We answer some frequently asked questions for cinnamon rolls and troubleshooting tips for success for your homemade cinnamon rolls!

SECRET to the BEST ROLLS-

The “secret” to the most delicious cinnamon rolls is adding some of the frosting to the rolls while the rolls are still warm. The frosting penetrates into the buns giving them its gooeyness.

  • Once you take the cinnamon rolls out of the oven, allow them to slightly cool then add half of the frosting. Once cooled, add remaining frosting.
White casserole dish loaded with risen cinnamon rolls.

How to serve the Rolls-

Cinnamon rolls taste best if served warm. You’ll want to warm the rolls for 5-8 seconds if they are at room temperature, and 10-15 seconds if refrigerated rolls.

Enjoy the sweet rolls with a cold cup of milk or a hot cup of tea or coffee! So good for breakfast.

How to make-ahead-

Prepare the rolls ahead of time (even overnight). Once the roll is cut into piece, cover and refrigerat until ready to bake.

A casserole dish loaded with sweet cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredient tips-

  • Flour– Properly measure the flour by scooping the flour into a measuring cup then scraping off any excess flour.
  • Yeast- If the yeast doesn’t foam (activate), be sure your yeast is fresh.
  • Heavy whipping cream– Add cold cream from the fridge for it to whip properly in the frosting.
  • Butter– The butter needs to be room temperature and softened, NOT melted. You can even whip the butter for it to spread easier if desired.
A cinnamon roll on a plate topped with cinnamon with a spoon next to a casserole dish and cups.

This easy recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls will become a new family favorite.

OTHER SWEETS TO TRY:

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 10 votes
Homemade cinnamon rolls are incredible, from the fluffy dough made moist with cinnamon filling to the luscious cream cheese frosting. This recipe will take you through making the most addicting cinnamon rolls.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 12 rolls

Ingredients

cinnamon rolls –

  • 3 ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour measured then sifted
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup of whole milk
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • 1 Tbsp active dry yeast

cinnamon roll filling –

cream cheese frosting –

finishing –

  • 2 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream

Instructions

cinnamon roll dough –

  • Measure out the flour and sift together with salt into a bowl. Then, create a well in the center.
  • In a saucepan, warm the milk, butter, and sugar. Remove from heat when butter is melted and whisk in eggs. (You want warm milk, NOT hot.)
  • Pour the mixture into the well we created in the flour and sprinkle yeast on top. Stir lightly and cover with a towel until the yeast is foamy.
  • Mix the dough using a paddle on a stand-up mixer until the dough is fully incorporated. Proceed to knead by hand for 3-5 minutes. Cover the dough ball with a damp towel and rest for two hours.

filling –

  • In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then set aside.

cream cheese frosting –

  • Cream together butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Slowly add in heavy whipping cream and beat until light and fluffy.

assemble rolls –

  • Dust a surface with flour and roll out the dough into a 12×16” rectangle. Spread 8 Tbsp of softened butter on the dough, and sprinkle sugar filling.
  • Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 12 equal buns.
  • Arrange rolls face up on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes. Pour 2 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream over the rolls.
  • Bake rolls at 375°F for 20-22 minutes or until rolls are golden brown.
  • Allow the rolls to cool slightly before spreading half the frosting over them. Once fully cooled, apply the remaining frosting.
  • Serve, and enjoy friends!

Notes

  • Yeast activation: The liquid needs to be at a temperature of 100°F- 110°F for the yeast to activate. 
  • Clean cuts: Use a sharp knife or a string to create even buns along the roll.
  • Secret to gooey buns: Applying half the frosting while the buns are still warm allows the frosting to penetrate the buns – don’t skip this step! 

Nutrition

510kcal Calories49g Carbs7g Protein32g Fat20g Saturated Fat116mg Cholesterol121mg Sodium117mg Potassium2g Fiber21g Sugar1080IU Vitamin A71mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 510 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 20g125%
Cholesterol 116mg39%
Sodium 121mg5%
Potassium 117mg3%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 21g23%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 1080IU22%
Calcium 71mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)