Cinnamon Rolls
Few things rival the comfort of homemade cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy, and generously swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, these rolls are the perfect indulgence for a cozy morning or special occasion. Each bite is pure decadence.
The dough is irresistibly tender, thanks to the combination of butter, milk, and a hint of sea salt. Topped with a luscious vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting, these cinnamon rolls strike the perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and creamy.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a first-timer, this recipe is simple to follow and delivers bakery-quality results. Prepare to impress yourself and everyone around you with these heavenly treats!
Cinnamon Rolls: Ingredients That Make Magic
- Active Dry Yeast: The heart of the rise, this essential ingredient breathes life into the dough, creating a pillowy, airy texture that’s impossible to resist.
- Butter: Melted and brushed, it lends richness and depth, making the rolls tender and indulgent in every bite.
- Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: This duo creates the irresistible swirl of sweet, spicy warmth that defines a classic cinnamon roll experience.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, ensuring structure and softness for a perfectly balanced roll.
- Powdered Sugar & Vanilla Extract: The sweet finish, crafting a silky glaze that drapes the rolls in luscious sweetness, enhancing every layer.
Enhancing Your Cinnamon Roll Experience
These homemade cinnamon rolls are the perfect blend of soft dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and a luscious glaze. With these additional tips, serving ideas, and answers to common questions, you’ll master this recipe with ease.
Recipe Tips
- Perfect Dough Consistency: To achieve soft and airy rolls, ensure your dough is sticky but manageable. Add flour sparingly during kneading, just until the dough is smooth and elastic. Over-flouring can make the rolls dense and less fluffy.
- Rise in the Right Spot: Yeast thrives in warmth. For the perfect rise, place the dough in a warm, draft-free environment. A trick is to preheat your oven for 2 minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside.
- Even Cinnamon Swirls: When spreading the cinnamon-sugar filling, leave a ½-inch border along the edges to prevent the filling from oozing out. Roll the dough tightly but gently to maintain those iconic spirals.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Rolls
- Fresh Fruit Salad: Balance the sweetness of the rolls with a vibrant fruit medley of berries, oranges, and grapes. The refreshing acidity complements the richness beautifully.
- Hot Coffee or Latte: A warm cup of coffee or a frothy latte pairs wonderfully with the sweet and spicy flavors, cutting through the richness with its bitter undertones.
- Scrambled Eggs or Omelette: A savory protein option like scrambled eggs or an omelette adds a hearty touch to your breakfast spread, offering a balanced and satisfying meal.
FAQ
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the rolls up to the second rise, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking.
2. How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to enjoy them warm again.
3. Can I freeze cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! Freeze unbaked rolls after the second rise or baked rolls without the glaze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake or reheat before serving.
4. Can I substitute the glaze?
Yes, cream cheese frosting is a delicious alternative. It adds a tangy richness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon filling.
With these tips, serving ideas, and helpful insights, you’ll create cinnamon rolls that are not only irresistible but also tailored perfectly to your tastes and needs!
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- For the Yeast
- Warm water 110°F
- Active dry yeast or instant yeast ¼-ounce package
- Granulated sugar
- For the Dough
- All-purpose flour
- Melted butter or coconut oil reserve extra for brushing
- Milk at room temperature
- Granulated sugar
- Sea salt
- For the Filling
- Dark brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- For the Glaze
- Powdered sugar sifted
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Alternative Frosting Option
- Cream cheese frosting optional replacement for glaze
Instructions
- Prepare your baking dish by greasing an 8×11 or 9×13-inch pan thoroughly.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Allow this mixture to rest for approximately 5 minutes until it develops a frothy consistency.
- For the dough, in a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, granulated sugar, and sea salt. Stir in the yeast mixture. In a large mixing bowl, place the all-purpose flour and gradually incorporate the wet ingredients. Stir until a sticky dough forms. Lightly knead the mixture using your hands, then transfer it to a floured surface and knead for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough achieves a smooth texture. Add additional flour only as necessary. Shape the dough into a ball.
- Lightly butter a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it aside in a warm, draft-free location to rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing the dark brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to create a rectangle measuring roughly 20×14 inches. Use a pastry brush to coat the surface with melted butter, leaving a half-inch border along the edges. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture across the buttered surface.
- Starting from one of the shorter ends, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 12 equal pieces. Arrange the rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking dish. Cover the dish and let the rolls rise for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. If a thicker consistency is preferred, adjust with additional powdered sugar or milk as needed. Alternatively, prepare cream cheese frosting if substituting for the glaze.
- Uncover the risen rolls and bake them in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops turn lightly golden. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow the rolls to cool for 10 minutes. Finish by drizzling the prepared glaze or frosting over the rolls before serving.