The only Cinnamon Rolls Recipe you need

These Cinnamon Rolls are one of the recipes I make over and over again. Not only because they are easy to make, but also because they are incredibly delicious. I love their soft pillowy texture with the cinnamon filling that will warm your soul and the crunchy caramely top for extra texture. I mean.. What is not to love about them!?

I have made these Cinnamon Rolls many times and I figured it was about time to add them to my collection of recipes. There is something so comforting about them. Is it the cinnamon, the beautiful texture, or the combination of both? Whatever it is, it makes me love them, more and more.

How to make Cinnamon Rolls?

Note: For exact measurements and directions see the recipe card below!

• You will need simple ingredients like flour, butter, milk, yeast, eggs, sugar, and of course cinnamon, the star of the recipe. Just like you would start any dough recipe, you need to activate the yeast. Warm up the milk just a bit, make sure it’s not hot or it will kill the yeast. Mix lukewarm milk with the honey and then add the yeast. Let it sit for a few minutes till it foams up. This is a good indication the yeast is fresh and good to use. If it doesn’t foam up this means the yeast is probably old or just not a good quality.

• Once you have the yeast mixture ready, you are almost done 😉 . In a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment mix the yeast liquid with the egg and butter. Then add the flour a little at a time. Once the dough starts to form together and doesn’t stick to the wall of the bowl, that means it’s ready. Transfer the dough to a bowl that has been greased with a little bit of oil (this prevents the dough from sticking to the bowl). Shape it into a boll, cover with a towel and let it rest in a warm place for about an hour, or till its two, three times its size.

***If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the dough by hand. Follow the same directions, just use a whisk when mixing the liquids, then I find it easier to use a silicone spatula to mix in the dry ingredients. The dough will be a bit sticky, but that’s ok.***

• When the dough has risen roll it on a floured surface into a 14″x12″(35x30cm) rectangular. Spread the butter, cinnamon, and sugar over the dough. Roll it. Cut it into about 2″(5cm)each, which will give you 6 rolls. If you want to cut them into smaller pieces you can definitely do that, you will just need a bigger baking pan. Make sure to leave enough space between each one so they have enough space to rise. Cover with a towel and let them rest for about an hour.

• Once they have rested and risen, brush them with an egg wash. I like to sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar for an extra flavor and texture, It’s not necessary but I highly recommend it. Bake and enjoy!

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Tips for always successful results!

• Use fresh yeast – Make sure the yeast you are using is fresh. This is important for the rise of the dough and achieving the fluffy texture. If your dough doesn’t rise you will end up with flat and dense Cinnamon Rolls. This is why you want to activate the yeast first. If you just add it to all the ingredients you are running the risk of wasting them if you’ve got a bad batch of yeast. Mixing it with liquid and sweetener first is advised. If it foams up after few minutes then you can move on to the next step. Better safe than sorry!

• Make sure the milk is not too hot – This applies to the process of activating the yeast. Yeast is a living organism, and if the liquid you use to activate the yeast is too hot, it will kill the yeast. The best way to tell if it’s the right temperature is by dipping your finger into the milk. If it doesn’t feel hot, but comfortable, then it’s safe for the yeast to be added in.

• Sift the flour – I find that many people tend to skip over this step. Sifting the flour is important for achieving a good texture and avoiding any lumps in the dough. Whenever I use flour I always sift it first. It’s an extra step, but very easy and quick to do. You can use a sieve or a flour sifter, anything with a thin mesh will work.

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• When adding the egg and butter to the yeast liquid, make sure the egg is at room temperature and the butter is soft or melted.

**Quick tip – if you forget to take the egg out of the fridge earlier you can simply put it in a cup filled with hot water for a few minutes to warm it up faster.

• By adding the flour a little at a time helps to form the dough gently and gradually. When the dough is smooth and not sticking to the sides of the bowl you can transfer it to a lightly oiled clean bowl. By adding a little bit of oil to the bowl it prevents the dough from sticking as it rises.

**Quick tip – My favorite way to make sure it’s warm enough for the dough to rise is by placing it on top of another bowl filled with hot water. This way the steam from the water will create the perfect environment for the dough to rise. This is very helpful especially during the colder months.

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• There are a couple of ways you can add the filling. One way is the way I do it in this recipe, by combining the soft butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and then spreading it over the dough. Another way to do it is by melting the butter, brushing it over the dough. Combining the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the buttered dough. Either way works, do it the way you prefer.
• Use a thread or dental floss to cut each piece. By using a thread you will have perfectly round-shaped cinnamon rolls. You can also use a knife, but that can disform the rolls a bit. And if you do use a knife make sure it’s sharp. Before I cut each piece I like to mark each area by slightly pressing first at the center of the roll and then into equal parts. This way you’ll have the same size rolls. If you want to be super precise, you can use a measuring tape and divide the total length by the number of rolls you want.

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• When placing each roll into the baking dish make sure to leave about 1.5″(4cm) space between each roll, so they have room to rise. After they have rested brush them with an egg wash, which is done by whisking one egg with a tablespoon of water. The egg wash will add a beautiful shine when the rolls are baked.
• At last, I sprinkle the rolls with cinnamon sugar, which creates caramelized crunchy top and adds extra flavor and texture. You don’t have to do this step if you are planning to cover the rolls with some kind of frosting.

Storing the Cinnamon Rolls.

Lastly, if you need to store the Cinnamon Rolls, I find the best way to do that is to keep them in an airtight container. They will start to dry out after 2-3 days, so eating them fresh in a day or two is best. You can also warm them up in the oven, this will also help to soften them up, just don’t leave them in the oven for too long or they will become dry.

Don’t they look just amazing!?

I really hope you give them a try. If you follow the directions and tips I have no doubt they will turn out perfect! if you have any questions, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out, I am more than happy to help. Share your creations with me by tagging me on Instagram or Facebook. Leave a comment below if you would like to chat or just email me.

If you would like to make more baking recipes, here are a few I recommend:

SAVORY ROLLS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES, SPINACH, AND CHEESE – These savory rolls are a great alternative to the sweet version. I am obsessed with this recipe! Honestly, it’s so good, so flavorful, the sun-dried tomatoes are the star with the addition of spinach and cheesy layers. OMG!!! A must-try!

THE BEST EASY CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD RECIPE – This is another favorite of mine. Very easy to make and so delicious! If you want something quick, no fuzz, no equipment, just a bowl, and a spatula, this is a recipe to try. As long as you have some ripe bananas lying around, the rest is most likely in your pantry.

THE BEST RICOTTA PANCAKES RECIPE – And if you are a pancake lover these Ricotta Pancakes are delish! Also very easy to make, they are super fluffy, light, and loved by everyone. A perfect way to start the weekend!

So this is it from me for now, thank you for being here and hopefully trying my recipes. Happy baking!

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