Nothing quite compares to waking up to the aroma of freshly baked homemade cinnamon rolls. These delectable pastries are so easy to make, and they come out delicious and fluffy every time, just like our cream cheese cinnamon rolls. With just a little bit of prep time, you can also enjoy these soft delights for breakfast or as a dessert!

These easy cinnamon rolls make a great addition to a breakfast charcuterie board

Cinnamon rolls with frosting in a baking dish.

These are the best homemade cinnamon rolls and they make the ultimate breakfast! Every bite melts in your mouth, but most notable is that buttery cinnamon filling! An unforgettable part of this cinnamon roll recipe is the cream cheese frosting! It is rich and creamy and altogether elevates this perfect pastry. 

Cinnamon is such a nostalgic flavor and levels up any pastry. We especially love its addition to our cinnamon french toast sticks

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Kid-friendly. Children love these cinnamon rolls; this recipe makes a great occasional treat, just as favored as the rice krispies treats
  • Homemade is better. There is no comparison between homemade and store-bought cinnamon rolls. After trying this recipe, you will want to make them yourself every time. 
  • Simple ingredients. Cinnamon rolls are uncomplicated and require only everyday ingredients, most of which you might already have. 
Two sweet cinnamon rolls topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls

The cinnamon rolls use simple ingredients, yet they are delicious and flavorful. 

  • Dry ingredients – all-purpose flour and salt, measured and sifted together. 
  • Wet ingredients – milk, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, warmed over low heat until butter melts. 
  • Yeast – an essential ingredient for the dough to rise. 
  • Cinnamon roll filling – granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon combined in a small bowl to make the best filling. 
  • Cinnamon roll frosting – butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar creamed together for the perfect frosting. 

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below. 

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls

Step-by-step instructions to simplify this complex pastry:

A bowl of dry and liquids, with the activating yeast.

1 – In a large bowl of flour and salt, create a well. Pour in the warm wet ingredients along with the whisked eggs into the well. Sprinkle yeast on top and mix slightly. Let sit until the mixture gets foamy. 

The combined cinnamon dough ball in a bowl.

2 – Mix the dough with a dough hook attachment on your stand mixer until it is incorporated. Then, knead for 3-5 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp towel and rest for 2 hours at room temperature. 

Cinnamon roll icing in a glass bowl, with a butter knife in it.

3 – Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining the ingredients and beat until creamy.

Refrigerate the cream until you are ready to use it.

Expert Tip:

Yeast: To activate the yeast, the wet ingredients need to be between 100°F and 110°F. If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast and if it’s too cold, the yeast will not dissolve.

The cinnamon roll dough, rolled out into a large rectangle, with the cinnamon sugar mixture spread out.

4 – Roll the cinnamon roll dough into a rectangle. Spread butter over the entire surface area and generously sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar.

Cinnamon buns arranged in a baking dish to rise.

5 – Roll the dough tightly and cut into 12 equal buns. Arrange buns in a greased baking dish and let rise for an additional 30 minutes. 

Cinnamon buns arranged in a baking dish, with heavy cream drizzled over them.

6 – Pour heavy whipping cream over rolls and bake in the oven at 375°F for 20-22 minutes or until the buns are golden brown. Frost and enjoy!

How to Get Perfect Buns Every Time

Slicing: Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to get nice and even cuts on your roll! Put the string underneath the roll, fold it over as if you were about to tie it, and just pull through! 

A cinnamon roll on a plate topped with cinnamon with a spoon next to a casserole dish and cups.

Serving Suggestions

  • Breakfast: Balance these sweet treats with a delicious breakfast sandwich
  • Coffee: A cup of iced coffee is essential if you have these cinnamon buns for breakfast; our favorite would have to be the iced caramel latte
  • Dessert: Serve as a dessert following your favorite entree dinner

Secret to Gooey Buns!

To get moist and fluffy cinnamon rolls, spread half of the frosting when the rolls are still warm and the remaining half when thoroughly cooled. The frosting then penetrates the dough, making the most gooey buns.

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

Recipe FAQs

Why did my cinnamon rolls get too big after baking?

This could be a result of over-proofing. You may have let your dough rise too long, resulting in the dough getting too much air. 

Why are my cinnamon buns small and dense?

Dense rolls are a result of not having enough rest time. The yeast didn’t have enough time to make the dough fluffy. 

Why do you need to drizzle heavy cream on rolls before baking? 

The touch of heavy cream moistens the rolls while they bake, resulting in a moist bun. 

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Cinnamon rolls are best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
  • Freeze. Freeze the rolls before baking (unfrosted) for an easy cinnamon roll in the coming months. Freeze on a baking sheet for an hour before putting it into a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 3 months. Bake: Thaw rolls in the fridge, and proceed to bake and frost. 

More Sweet Recipes

If you enjoyed this cinnamon roll recipe, be sure to try our other popular breakfast recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this Cinnamon Roll Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

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 –

  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter room temp

cream cheese frosting –

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter room temp
  • 6 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

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.)