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cinnamon roll recipe

Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

There’s nothing quite like pulling a pan of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls out of the oven. The soft dough, sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, and creamy glaze make these rolls irresistible. The best part? You don’t need to be a pro baker to make them—this recipe is straightforward and so worth the effort.
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Prep Time 27 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the dough:
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (or 1 packet)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
For the filling:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
For the cream cheese glaze:
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)

Method
 

Step 1: Make the dough
  1. Warm the milk until it’s just warm to the touch (not hot). Pour into a mixing bowl, then sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix until combined.
  3. Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the filling
  1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 14x18 inches).
  3. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
Step 3: Shape the rolls
  1. Starting with the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
  2. Cut into 12 even rolls (a piece of unflavored dental floss works perfectly for this!).
  3. Place rolls into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
Step 4: Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top. Don’t overbake—you want them soft and gooey!
Step 5: Make the glaze
  1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, mixing until creamy and spreadable.
  3. Spread over warm rolls and serve immediately.