The Best Cinnamon Roll Recipe (with Cream Cheese Frosting)

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This is the best Homemade Cinnamon Roll recipe! Soft, fluffy and so easy for anyone to make. Fluffy cinnamon roll dough roll is swirled with a delicious, gooey cinnamon sugar filling and topped with a vanilla bean cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting!

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the best homemade cinnamon roll recipe

These are truly the best Cinnamon Rolls because they’re made with the fluffy and soft dough, has hints of cinnamon flavor and then rolled up and swirled in the gooiest filling. Topped with a light and fluffy vanilla bean cream cheese frosting for the best breakfast. 

Cinnamon Rolls are my all-time favorite breakfast and dessert and these rolls are by far the best I’ve made. You don’t need to be a genius to make these because they require minimal work and ingredients. Perfect for all occasions, holidays and any time of year!

Serve these rolls at your next brunch alongside Ham and Cheese Frittata, Berry Fruit Salad, Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites, and/or Blueberry Baked Oatmeal for the ultimate spread.

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key ingredients

• Active dry yeast, rapid or quick rise yeast or instant yeast: You can use either one for these, just note the rising time will vary.
• Warm milk: Activates yeast and makes the dough tender. Whole milk is preferred but you could also use low-fat milk.
• Sugar: We use both granulated white sugar and light or dark brown sugar to add sweetness.
• Eggs: We add a whole egg and egg yolk to add richness and structure.
• Butter: Adds a buttery flavor to the dough and makes the cinnamon rolls filling extra gooey.
• Flour: We use bread flour to make the cinnamon rolls chewy an softer. All purpose flour works too, it just may take the dough to rise a little longer. Be sure not to add too much flour, other wise the rolls can be dry.

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cinnamon rolls from scratch

Activate the yeast and add liquids: Warm milk to around 110 degrees F. Make sure it isn’t too hot and it should feel like warm bath water. I highly recommend using a food thermometer. Add the milk and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk together until combined and the the milk is frothy. Add sugar, egg, egg yolk and butter. Mix until well combined.

Make cinnamon dough: Add the flour and cinnamon to the dough and mix in with a wooden spoon until dough begins to form. Place the mixing bowl on the stand mixer and knead the dough with a dough hook for about 8 minutes until a dough ball is formed, scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times. The dough will be slightly sticky but shouldn’t stick to your hands. If it is too sticky add 2 tablespoons of flour. If you don’t have a stand mixer you could use your hands and knead the dough on a well-floured surface.

First rise: Transfer the dough ball to an oiled bowl, cover with a warm damp towel and let dough rise for an 1 – 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The time will vary depending on the humidity and temperature in your home. To make your towel warm, place the damp clean kitchen towel in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Roll dough out and add filling: After the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a well-floured surface and roll out to about 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough. Gently press the cinnamon sugar mixture down with your hands into the buttered dough.

Cut and let rolls rise again: Tightly roll up the dough, starting at the shorter side. Cut into 9-10 even rolls and place the rolls on a lightly greased 9×9 baking pan or round 9 inch cake pan. Cover the rolls again and place a warm damp towel on top. Let rise for another 30-45 minutes. They will get a little puffy and rise a bit.

Bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. You want to under-bake them a little so they stay soft and gooey in the middle (every oven has a different baking time).

Make frosting and spread on warm rolls: While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, add all of the frosting ingredients together and beat with an electric mixer until smooth, light and fluffy. Spread the frosting over warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. Enjoy!

tips

• Frost the cinnamon rolls immediately: The frosting on the cinnamon rolls will slightly melt into the rolls making them extra delicious and gooey! They will be perfect. 
• Let the rolls get cozy in the baking pan: Let the rolls touch on all sides of the baking dish. When they rise for the second time they should get so puffy they touch, this will ensure that all of the centers and sides are nice and soft. Making them gooey!
• Extra gooey centers: Underbake the cinnamon rolls to make these ultra gooey and delicious!
• Make perfect swirls: Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into even strips then roll each strip up into a swirl and place in your baking dish.
• Make sure the rolls won’t stick: Be sure to use parchment paper or cooking spray to the bottom of the baking pan.

the best cinnamon roll recipe variations

• Add-ins: Chopped pecans, walnuts, orange zest, lemon zest, chocolate chips or raisins make great additions.
• Frosting: Add cocoa powder, salted caramel or maple syrup to change up the flavor.
• Make a double batch: You’ll be glad you did!
• Extra decadent: Pour 1 cup of heavy cream all over the tops of the cinnamon rolls so it seeps into the gaps. This will make the rolls extra gooey, rich and delicious!
• Holiday themed: Make these for any holiday or special occasion by adding themed sprinkles to the tops or food coloring to the cream cheese frosting.
• Gluten-free cinnamon rolls: Swap the regular flour for gluten-free flour.

make-ahead cinnamon rolls

If you want to save a few hours during the day, you can make these cinnamon rolls the day or night before.

1. After completing steps 1-5, cover the baking pan that your sliced rolls are in and place them in the fridge.
2. When you are ready to bake the cinnamon rolls, remove cinnamon rolls from the oven and bring them to room temperature so they can rise for the second time. Make sure to cover them with a warm damp towel. 
3. Once they are at room temperature bake accordingly to the instructions in the recipe. 

To bring the cinnamon rolls to room temperature: leave them on the counter for 30-45 minutes before baking. 

LEFTOVERS

These Cinnamon Rolls make great leftovers for the next morning! Simply cover the cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and store them at room temperature for 2-3 days.

If you want to store them longer, place them in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven on 350 degrees F for a few minutes.

HOW TO FREEZE cinnamon rolls

1. Tightly wrap the assembled cinnamon rolls, completing steps 1-5. Cover the cinnamon rolls in the baking pan with plastic wrap, foil or a lid. 
2. Place the cinnamon rolls in the freezer up for up 2 months max.
3. When ready to bake, remove the cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature overnight. They will need to complete the second rise. Place a warm damp towel over the rolls when they rise for the second time. 
4. Bake according to the recipe instructions and make the frosting.

This recipe was last updated December 17, 2025 to include additional photos and information. Originally posted December 1, 2020 By Kathryn Donangelo.