Ah, the enticing aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls drifting through the house — it’s a cozy scene that brings back memories of lazy Sunday mornings, warm mugs of coffee, and the sweet touch of indulgence. Today, I’m thrilled to share my take on an all-time favorite: Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls! This delightful recipe brings the taste of the iconic Cinnabon rolls straight to your kitchen. Light, fluffy, and slathered with heavenly cream cheese icing, these rolls will steal the spotlight at any breakfast, brunch, or even dessert table. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the delicious world of cinnamon rolls!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- **Easy Prep:** With just a handful of simple ingredients, these cinnamon rolls come together effortlessly!
- **Great Flavor:** The soft, pillowy dough combined with a rich filling makes for an unforgettable treat.
- **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Whether it’s a family brunch, holiday gathering, or just because, these rolls will impress everyone!
- **Copycat Fabulousness:** This recipe is closely adapted from Cinnabon, so you know you’re in for a real treat!
Ingredients
To create your Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, you’ll need:
- Active dry yeast or instant yeast
- Lukewarm milk for a tender dough
- Granulated sugar to sweeten the dough
- Unsalted butter or margarine for rich flavor
- Salt to enhance sweetness
- Fresh eggs for a rich texture
- All-purpose flour to give shape and structure
- Brown sugar, packed for a deliciously sweet filling
- Ground cinnamon for that signature flavor
- Cream cheese for the luscious icing
- Powdered sugar to sweeten the icing
- Vanilla extract to add depth to the icing
- Salt for taste in the icing
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s get started on these scrumptious cinnamon rolls!
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk along with a teaspoon of sugar. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. If your yeast is active, it will froth up beautifully!
- In the mixing bowl of your stand mixer, combine the remaining sugar, softened butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until the dough is well incorporated and cleans the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer your dough into an oiled bowl, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is performing its magic, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 16 inches long by 12 inches wide, with a thickness of around ¼ inch. Spread the softened butter generously across the dough.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Now, gently roll the dough tightly from the long edge until you form a log!
- Using a sharp knife or floss, cut the log into 1½ inch slices and place them in the greased baking pan.
- Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for 30 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Keep an eye on them; baking times may vary!
- For the icing, mix your butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt using an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth. Once the rolls are out of the oven, spread that heavenly icing generously over the warm rolls. Yum!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Always check your yeast’s expiration date; fresh yeast equals perfect rise!
- Ensure your milk isn’t too hot when mixing with the yeast. Aim for just below body temperature.
- If your dough doesn’t rise during the first proof, don’t fret; it may just be the yeast not activating. Always check for froth after mixing it with warm milk!
- For a make-ahead option, the rolls can be frozen after cutting but before baking. Wrap them well, freeze, and just let defrost overnight in the fridge before baking.
How to Serve
These delightful Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls are perfect served warm and fresh out of the oven. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of chilled milk for the ultimate combination! Consider garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added texture and flair. They also make wonderful gifts for friends and family during holidays or special occasions — who wouldn’t love a box of homemade cinnamon rolls?
Make Ahead and Storage
If you have leftovers (doubtful, if you ask me!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them, and when you’re ready to enjoy, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. The taste of freshly baked cinnamon rolls can become a sweet memory, but having them on hand for a weekend treat is heavenly too!
So there you have it! This Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls recipe is your go-to for creating the softest, most delicious cinnamon rolls that rival the famous chain. Let the sweet, cinnamon-spiced aroma guide you on your baking adventure, and savor every bite! Happy baking!
Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Stand Mixer
- Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3 piece)
- 9x13-inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
Dough
- 2.25 tsp active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 1 cup milk lukewarm
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.33 cup butter unsalted, softened, or margarine
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 3 tbsp cinnamon ground
- 0.33 cup butter unsalted, softened, or margarine
Cream Cheese Icing
- 6 tbsp butter unsalted, softened, or margarine
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar also known as icing sugar, or confectioner's sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese (1 block) at room temperature
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.125 tsp salt
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to froth up.
- In the mixer, combine sugar, butter, salt, eggs, flour, and the yeast mixture. Mix well until the dough comes clean from the bowl.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour until doubled in size.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, and combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread butter, and sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Roll tightly from one edge.
- Cut the roll into 1.5 inch slices and place them in the greased baking pan. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- While baking, prepare the icing by mixing all icing ingredients until fluffy and smooth. Spread icing over warm rolls.