There’s nothing quite like the heavenly aroma of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven—warm, gooey, and filled with buttery brown sugar cinnamon swirl. These homemade rolls are the ultimate comfort food: soft and pillowy on the inside, golden on the outside, and topped with a velvety smooth cream cheese frosting that melts into every crevice. Whether served warm for breakfast, brunch, or as an indulgent dessert, these cinnamon rolls are always a hit.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C – ideal for activating yeast)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 to 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted for smoothness
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (balances sweetness beautifully)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy—this shows your yeast is active and alive.
Add the sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix well to combine. Gradually incorporate the flour, about one cup at a time, until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. Soften the butter for easy spreading.
3. Roll & Fill the Dough
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll it into a 16×12-inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
Evenly spread the softened butter over the dough, all the way to the edges. Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the entire surface.
Starting from the longer side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it, then cut into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for clean edges.
4. Second Rise
Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each. Cover loosely and let them rise again in a warm spot for 30 minutes, or until puffy and touching.
5. Bake to Perfection
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20–22 minutes, or until lightly golden on top and baked through. Do not overbake—this keeps them soft and gooey in the center.
6. Prepare the Frosting
While the rolls are baking, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light, fluffy, and silky smooth.
7. Frost & Serve
Once the rolls come out of the oven, let them cool for about 5 minutes, then spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls so it melts slightly into every swirl.
Serve immediately while warm for the ultimate experience, or refrigerate and reheat for indulgence anytime.
🥄 Pro Tips:
- For extra gooey rolls, pour a bit of heavy cream over the rolls before baking.
- Overnight version: Let the rolls rise in the fridge overnight after shaping. In the morning, bring them to room temp and bake fresh.
- Add chopped pecans or raisins to the filling for a twist.
- Leftovers? Store in an airtight container for 3 days or freeze individually.
❤️ These Cinnamon Rolls Are Perfect For:
- Cozy weekend breakfasts
- Holiday mornings (Christmas, Easter, birthdays!)
- Special brunches
- Bake sales or potlucks
- Gifting with love (they wrap up beautifully!)