The Ultimate Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Fluffy, Gooey, and Topped with Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home. These homemade cinnamon rolls are not just any rolls; they are a dream come true for anyone craving that perfect, gooey, bakery-style treat. Topped with a generous swirl of luscious cream cheese frosting, they are absolutely perfect for a festive holiday morning, a relaxed weekend breakfast with the family, or simply when you need to satisfy a sweet craving. While we sometimes enjoy quick orange rolls, nothing truly compares to the deep satisfaction of creating these incredible cinnamon rolls from scratch.
Why This Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe Works So Well
What sets these easy homemade cinnamon rolls apart from the rest? It’s all about achieving that perfect balance of fluffiness, tenderness, and an undeniably gooey texture that makes them truly irresistible, just like the best bakery creations. The secret lies in a special step: pouring heavy cream over the rolls just before baking. This simple technique ensures every single roll emerges from the oven incredibly moist and tender, with a buttery, caramel-like bottom layer that will have everyone coming back for more.
And let’s not forget the star of the show – the cream cheese frosting! This recipe provides an abundance of rich, tangy, and sweet frosting, ensuring that each fluffy cinnamon roll gets its generous, decadent share. We believe a cinnamon roll isn’t complete without a thick layer of frosting, and this recipe delivers on that promise, making these the best cinnamon rolls you’ll ever bake.
RELATED: You may also like these recipes – Cinnamon Roll Cookies or Crescent Danish Wreath
Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Crafting the perfect fluffy cinnamon rolls starts with high-quality ingredients. For the dough, you’ll need warm milk to activate the rapid-rise yeast, ensuring a soft and pillowy texture. Room temperature eggs and melted (but not hot) unsalted butter add richness and moisture. All-purpose flour forms the structure, balanced with Kosher salt for flavor and granulated white sugar for sweetness and to feed the yeast. The cinnamon-sugar filling is a simple yet essential blend of softened unsalted butter, dark brown sugar for deep molasses notes, and plenty of aromatic cinnamon. Finally, the heavy whipping cream is crucial for that signature gooeyness, and the cream cheese frosting calls for softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract for a smooth, sweet, and tangy finish.
Remember, all exact measurements, specific ingredients, and detailed instructions are available in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
How to Make the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
These step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this incredibly delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
Making the Irresistibly Soft Dough
The foundation of any great cinnamon roll is a tender, fluffy dough. Follow these steps carefully to achieve perfection:
- Begin by lightly spraying a large mixing bowl with cooking spray, then set it aside. This will be where your dough rises to its glorious double size.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, gently combine the warm milk (ensure it’s between 105-115°F for optimal yeast activation) and the rapid-rise yeast. Give it a moment to bloom. Then, add the room temperature eggs, melted (but not hot) unsalted butter, Kosher salt, and granulated white sugar. Mix on low speed until all these ingredients are just combined.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything comes together, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate all the flour. It’s important not to overmix at this stage. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes; this brief rest helps the flour fully hydrate. After resting, remove the paddle attachment and switch to the dough hook.
- With the dough hook attached, beat the dough on low speed for 5 minutes. The dough will be noticeably sticky and will adhere to the sides of the bowl, which is exactly what you want for a tender cinnamon roll. Resist the urge to add more flour!
- Carefully transfer the sticky dough into the prepared large mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to ensure you get all the delicious dough out of the mixer bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rest in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes, or until it has delightfully doubled in size. This first rise is crucial for developing flavor and texture.
Preparing the Aromatic Cinnamon-Sugar Filling
The heart of every sweet cinnamon roll is its rich, spiced filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and aromatic cinnamon. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly combined and form a thick, spreadable paste. Set this aside, ready to be slathered onto your risen dough.
Assembling Your Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
Now comes the exciting part – transforming your dough and filling into beautiful rolls:
- Lightly sprinkle a clean, floured surface or a pastry mat with a little flour. Roll the risen dough out into a neat 12 x 15-inch rectangle. Strive for even thickness across the entire surface for uniform rolls.
- Using an offset spatula or a baking spatula, carefully spread the rich cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border at one of the long edges to help seal the roll.
- Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight, even log. Aim for a snug roll to ensure beautiful spirals in your finished cinnamon rolls.
- Once rolled, cut the log into 12 even pieces. A sharp, un-serrated knife or even a piece of unflavored dental floss can help you achieve clean cuts. Arrange these beautiful, unbaked sweet rolls in a greased 9×13 baking pan, leaving a little space between each roll for expansion.
- Cover the pan with a clean towel and allow the rolls to undergo their second rise in a warm spot until they have doubled in size, which typically takes about 20 minutes. During this time, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This second proofing creates that wonderfully airy and light texture.
- In a microwave-safe container, heat the heavy whipping cream. Microwave for 50 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 50 seconds, or until it’s warm (not boiling) but definitely not cold.
- Carefully pour the warm heavy whipping cream over the risen cinnamon rolls in the baking pan, ensuring they are all moistened. The cream will soak down to the bottom, creating that signature gooey, moist texture that makes these rolls so famous.
- Bake for 17-19 minutes. In our testing, 19 minutes consistently yields the best results – perfectly golden brown and cooked through without being dry. While your gooey cinnamon rolls are baking, you can begin preparing the irresistible cream cheese frosting!
Crafting the Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting
No homemade cinnamon roll is complete without its iconic cream cheese frosting. This recipe creates a perfectly balanced, smooth, and utterly delicious frosting that’s easy to make:
- In a large mixing bowl, using either a handheld electric mixer or your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the softened cream cheese, softened unsalted butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and ½ tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until they are perfectly smooth, light, and fluffy. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese or butter remaining.
- As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, while they are still warm but not scorching hot, generously spread this delightful cream cheese frosting over each one. The warmth of the rolls will slightly melt the frosting, allowing it to seep into every nook and cranny, creating an even more heavenly experience.
Expert Tips for Cinnamon Roll Success
- Achieve the Perfect Dough Consistency: Resist the urge to add too much flour during the dough-making process. A slightly sticky dough is key to achieving incredibly soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls. Over-flouring can lead to dry, dense rolls.
- The Ideal Proofing Environment: Yeast thrives in warmth. Find a cozy, draft-free spot in your kitchen for your dough to rise. A slightly warm oven (turned off!) or a sunny windowsill can work wonders. Proper proofing ensures a light and airy texture.
- Gentle Handling: Once your dough has risen, handle it gently. You want to keep all those lovely air pockets that the yeast has created. Flour your surface and hands lightly, and roll the dough with gentle, even pressure.
- Sharp Knife or Dental Floss for Cutting: For perfectly shaped, distinct spirals, use a very sharp, un-serrated knife or unflavored dental floss to cut your rolled dough. Dental floss is particularly excellent for getting clean, even cuts without squishing the layers.
- Don’t Skimp on the Heavy Cream: The heavy cream poured over the rolls before baking is a game-changer! It’s the secret to their signature gooey, moist centers. Make sure the cream is warm (not cold) so it doesn’t shock the dough.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Keep a close eye on your rolls during the last few minutes of baking. They should be golden brown on top, but not dark. An internal temperature of around 200°F (93°C) indicates they are perfectly cooked.
- Frost While Warm: Apply the cream cheese frosting while the cinnamon rolls are still warm (but not piping hot). The warmth will slightly melt the frosting, allowing it to spread beautifully and absorb into the rolls for maximum flavor and gooeyness.
Cinnamon Roll Variations to Explore
While these classic homemade cinnamon rolls are perfect as is, you can easily customize them to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:
- Citrus Zest Burst: Add 1-2 tablespoons of orange or lemon zest to your cinnamon-sugar filling for a bright, tangy twist that beautifully complements the sweetness.
- Nutty Cinnamon Rolls: Fold in ½ cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts into your cinnamon-sugar filling for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Spiced Up: Experiment with additional spices in your filling. A pinch of cardamom or nutmeg can add another layer of warm, complex flavor.
- Maple Glaze: For a different frosting experience, try a simple maple glaze made with powdered sugar, a touch of maple syrup, and a splash of milk or cream.
- Chocolate Swirl: After spreading the cinnamon-sugar mixture, sprinkle a handful of mini chocolate chips over the filling before rolling the dough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Absolutely! There are a couple of ways to prepare these fluffy cinnamon rolls in advance. You can prepare and assemble the rolls the night before, placing them in the greased baking pan. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, take them out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature and rise for 60-90 minutes (or until doubled) before pouring over the warm heavy cream and baking as directed. Alternatively, you can bake them completely the night before, allow them to cool, and then easily reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can even warm the frosting separately and add it after reheating.
To streamline your baking process, you can make the brown sugar filling ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. When you’re ready to use it, if it’s too firm, warm it slightly until it’s easily spreadable. The cream cheese frosting can also be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, let it come to room temperature, or warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds and give it a good stir to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
Leftover frosted cinnamon rolls are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you prefer to extend their freshness, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. For unfrosted rolls, they can also be stored at room temperature or refrigerated, and then warmed and frosted just before serving for the best experience.
Yes, you can freeze both baked and unbaked homemade cinnamon rolls!
To freeze unbaked rolls: After arranging them in the baking pan (before the second rise), cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then let them rise at room temperature until doubled before baking as usual.
To freeze baked rolls: Let the baked and unfrosted rolls cool completely. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat frozen rolls in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. Frost after reheating.
If you’d like a different twist on the topping, try this Vanilla Coconut Icing for a delicious variation!
More Sweet Breakfast & Dessert Recipes to Love
If you’re a fan of these delectable homemade cinnamon rolls, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful breakfast and dessert recipes:
- Blueberry Breakfast Cake
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Pastries
- Quick Orange Rolls
- Monkey Bread
- Lemon Sweet Rolls
- Bread Pudding
This recipe for the best homemade cinnamon rolls would be an absolutely wonderful addition to your Mother’s Day brunch! Don’t forget to check out my foodie gift guide for mom too – it’s packed with thoughtful ideas for the culinary enthusiast in your life.
I absolutely adore spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new flavors and sharing my passion for baking and cooking with all of you! It can be challenging to remember to come back for new recipes every day, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter. Every time a new, delicious recipe posts, it lands straight in your inbox. Simply subscribe to start receiving your free daily recipes and never miss out on kitchen inspiration!
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Rate It
Save It
Saved!
Ingredients
Dough for Cinnamon Rolls:
- cooking spray vegetable or Canola oil
- 1 cup warm milk the temperature should be between 105-115 degrees F
- 2 ½ tsp rapid rise yeast 5/16 oz./8.75 g
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted (but not hot)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Topper:
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces regular cream cheese 226 grams
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Things You’ll Need
-
13×9 baking dish
-
Mixing bowls
-
Stand mixer
-
Pastry mat
-
Rolling pin
Before You Begin
- If you like, you can bake these the night before so you can easily reheat them in the morning. Reheat in the oven at 350 F for 10 mins or until heated through.
- You can make the brown sugar filling ahead of time. To use, bring it to room temperature or warm it just enough so that it’s spreadable.
- Make the cream cheese frosting ahead and store it in an air tight container. When ready to use it, just warm it in the microwave and pour it over the rolls.
Instructions
Make the Dough
-
Spray a large mixing bowl with cooking spray and set aside.
-
In a stand mixer (set up with the paddle attachment), add the warm milk and yeast. Add eggs, unsalted butter, Kosher salt and granulated white sugar and mix until just combined.
-
Add the flour and mix until combined, scraping down the sides, if needed. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes before the next step. Remove the paddle attachment and attach the dough hook.
-
On low speed, beat with the dough hook for 5 minutes. The dough will be sticky and will stick to the sides of the bowl.
-
Place the dough into the prepared large mixing bowl, using a rubber spatula to scrape out any dough sticking to the sides. Cover and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Make the Filling
-
In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon until evenly combined and set aside.
Assemble
-
Lightly sprinkle a floured surface or pastry mat, roll the dough out into a 12 x 15 inch rectangle. Using a offset or baking spatula, spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Roll the dough, lengthwise, into a roll. Cut into 12 even pieces and arrange in a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Cover with a towel until the rolls have doubled in size, approximately 20 minutes.
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
-
Heat the heavy whipping cream in the microwave for 50 seconds, stir and then 50 more seconds (or until it’s not cold). Pour the heavy whipping cream over the rolls so that they are covered and then the cream will soak to the bottom (this makes the rolls gooey and moist). Bake for 17-19 minutes (19 minutes works best for me). While the rolls are baking you can make the cream cheese frosting.
Make the Frosting
-
In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer (or your stand mixer and paddle attachment) mix the softened cream cheese, softened butter, 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract until combined. (for storing the frosting, store in the refrigerator in an air tight container).
-
Generously spread frosting on the warm (but not hot) cinnamon rolls.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post was originally published on this blog on Feb 13, 2018.