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Cinnamon Bread Rolls

Fluffy, soft, doughy, and oozing with buttery sweet cinnamon flavor that will make you fall head over heels. Way better than store-bought cinnamon rolls; they're perfect for breakfast, brunch, and holidays!
Makes one dozen cinnamon rolls
Course Breakfast, Snacks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 12
Calories 637kcal
Author Imma

Ingredients

Cinnamon Bread Rolls

  • ¼ cup (60ml) water
  • 3 teaspoons (9-10g) dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (175ml) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) powdered milk
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces (113g) butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3¼-3½ cups (390-420g) all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Sugar

  • 2 ounces (60g) melted butter
  • ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (6g) ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon (1g) nutmeg

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • cups (175g) powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon (2-3ml) vanilla extract
  • 2-4 tablespoons (30-60ml) milk (may need more or less for the right texture)
  • ¼ cup (60g) butter, softened
  • 1 pinch salt (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the water and yeast.
  • Stir until dissolved and let it set for 3-5 minutes (it should become foamy as the yeast activates).
  • In a microwaveable bowl, add sugar, whole milk, salt, powdered milk, vanilla extract, and butter. Heat in the microwave for a few seconds, stirring occasionally until the butter has melted, but it's not hot enough to kill the yeast.
  • If the butter and milk mixture is cool enough, pour it into the yeast mixture, add eggs, and stir well.
  • Gently add the flour a cup at a time. Mix well with hands or a stand mixer. The dough should be sticky, but add more flour a little at a time if it's too sticky. Less flour is preferable.
  • Knead the dough for a minute or two. Cover loosely with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1½-2 hours or until doubled.
  • Make cinnamon sugar by combining sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Punch the cinnamon roll dough down. Lightly flour a board or work surface, then roll the dough out into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Generously brush with melted butter. Leaving a 1-inch border on the dough, evenly sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar. Pat the cinnamon sugar gently so it sticks to the surface.
  • Starting with the end nearest you, roll the dough up snugly like a jelly roll around the filling, finishing the roll with the seam side down. Don't forget to pinch it so it seals together and doesn't come apart when transferring it to a baking sheet.
  • Slice the roll into 4 equal pieces, then slice each piece into 3 equal pieces for a total of 12 rolls.
  • Grease the bottom of the baking pan with butter or use a cooking spray. Place the cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350℉ (180℃) for 25-30 minutes or until golden browned. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes.

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • Whip the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until very creamy. Add more milk if needed to get the desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the cinnamon bun, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Make sure to check the expiration date of the yeast. Expired yeast doesn't rise. Store unopened yeast packages in a cupboard or cool and dry place. Once the package or jar has opened, an airtight jar in the refrigerator is the best place to store it.
  • If the yeast didn't froth up after dissolving it in warm milk, stop and get fresh yeast because the dough won't rise.
  • Be sure to cool your milk enough so it doesn't kill the yeast. It should be warm to the touch and not over 130℉ (55℃).
  • Full fat, 2%, and skim milk all work fine for this recipe.
  • To check that the dough has risen sufficiently, gently press it with two fingers. If the indentation mark remains, it's not ready yet.
  • Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar on the dough from edge to edge for decadence in every bite.
  • Please remember that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cinnamon roll | Calories: 637kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 704IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 3mg