These homemade cinnamon rolls are the ultimate breakfast indulgence - pillowy soft dough filled with sweet cinnamon sugar is made even yummier when topped with smooth, flavorful cream cheese frosting!
This recipe never fails to bring me pure joy - I mean it, if you want to start your day off with a warm, gooey, frosted roll of goodness, look no further. Yeast always intimidated me when I first got really into baking, and I was never sure how to use it or what to do in general because I just didn’t know how it worked. Culinary school forced me to do my research though, and after using yeast in most things we made there, I got more and more comfortable with it - and so will you! If you’re not super comfy using yeast, or never have before, this recipe is a great place to start.
Here are some more breakfast and brunch recipes you'll love: Brown Sugar Blackberry Scones, Homemade Cranberry Walnut Bagels, and Brown Sugar Blueberry Pancakes.
Jump to:
Ingredients & Equipment
You’ll need the following ingredients and equipment to make these homemade cinnamon rolls:
- baking sheet
- milk
- active dry yeast
- eggs
- sugar
- butter
- flour
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- cream cheese
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract (or maple syrup)
Customize This Recipe!
There are a few different ways you can customize this recipe:
- Add more spices to the filling. Adding some different spices to the cinnamon filling can give these cinnamon rolls more flavor dimension - add cardamom and ginger for a more seasonal taste, or some ground cayenne pepper for a bit of a kick.
- Make a unique frosting. If you want a burst of extra flavor, make a unique frosting with fruit purées, honey, chocolate - whatever your heart desires!
Kitchen Tips:
- Utilize mise en place! Make sure you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready before you begin making this recipe - it will help save you time and keep you organized.
- Proofing is key. Don't skip any of the proof time! These cinnamon rolls need enough time to rest in order for the yeast to grow, and if you bake them too early (or without proofing at all), they won't bake up pillowy and soft.
More breakfast and brunch recipes:
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and/or review below to let me know how it turned out! To keep up with all my latest recipes, subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram. 🙂
------------------------
The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups almond milk warm
- 2 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
- 4 ½ cups flour
For the filling:
- ⅔ cup melted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- cinnamon to coat
For the icing:
- 4-6 oz cream cheese room temp
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon almond milk
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup or vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the dough:
- Warm the milk and then sprinkle yeast over the top. Let sit for a few minutes until foamy.
- Add in the egg, butter and sugar and mix together.
- Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of a standard mixer. Add in the flour by cups, mixing with a dough hook until fully combined.
- Let the dough rest under a towel or plastic wrap for 30 minutes to proof (I like to just stick mine in the oven before preheating).
- Once the dough has proofed, roll out the dough onto a floured surface into a rectangle. Let it sit a few minutes so it doesn't bounce back after filling.
To make the filling:
- Melt ⅔ cup of butter. Add 1 cup brown sugar and mix until combined.
- Spread the mixture over the dough evenly, getting as close to the edges as possible.
- Sprinkle a layer of cinnamon over the brown sugar mixture, covering the dough completely.
- Roll the dough into a long log - thinner layers mean a more compact cinnamon roll, while thicker layers mean a larger, bulkier roll. You should be able to get 10-12 large rolls out of your log.
To bake the cinnamon rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place the rolls on a prepared baking sheet and let proof under a towel once more for about 15 minutes.
- After proofing, bake for 20 - 25 minutes until risen and golden brown. Let the cinnamon rolls cool while you make the icing.
To make the icing:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter until combined. Add in the powdered sugar by cup, along with the syrup or vanilla extract, until fully combined and smooth.
- Spread the icing in a thick layer over the rolls while they’re still slightly warm, then enjoy!
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply