The Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

There’s something undeniably magical about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. It fills the house with a warm, sweet hug that draws everyone to the kitchen. These best-ever cinnamon rolls are great for slow weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or just because the mood calls for something soft, gooey, and comforting.

What I love most about this homemade cinnamon roll recipe is how approachable it is. Even if you’re not a seasoned baker. The dough is soft and fluffy. The filling is rich with brown sugar and cinnamon, and the cream cheese frosting melts beautifully into every swirl. They taste like something from a bakery—but better, because they’re made with love (and plenty of butter).

This cozy baking recipe makes 12 large rolls—perfect for sharing or stashing away a few extras for the next day. You can even prep them the night before and bake them fresh in the morning. Making them ideal for holidays, guests, or cozy mornings when you want a treat without the rush.

Whether you’re baking with little ones, serving them warm with coffee, or enjoying a quiet moment with a soft roll and a thick blanket. I hope these cinnamon rolls bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to ours.

Scroll down for the full recipe, and don’t forget to check out the tips for making ahead, storing leftovers, and getting that perfect gooey center. Happy baking! Head on over to my post entitled Making Your Kitchen a Sanctuary to read about making your kitchen a place of calm, comforting nourishment.

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The Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Allie

Soft, fluffy, gooey, and loaded with cinnamon-sugar goodness. This recipe makes 12 large rolls and includes a cream cheese frosting that melts right into the swirls. Perfect for cozy mornings or special occasions!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 415 kcal

Ingredients

  

Roll Dough

• 1 Cup Whole Milk Warmed to 100 – 110 Degrees Fahrenheit
• 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast One Packet
• 2 Large Eggs Room Temperature
• 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter Melted
• 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour Start with 4 and add more if needed.

Cinnamon Filling

• 3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg Optional, but Cozy
• 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter Very Soft but Not Melted

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz Cream Cheese Softened
• 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
• 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Pinch Salt

Instructions

 

Activate the Yeast

• In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer), combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

Make the Dough

• Add the melted butter, eggs, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined.

  Add 4 cups of flour and mix until a soft dough forms. If it’s too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Knead (by hand or mixer with dough hook) for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

  Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Make the Filling

• Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside. Keep the butter separate

Roll it Out

• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle—about 16×12 inches.

  Spread the softened butter all over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Roll and Cut

• Roll the dough up tightly from the long side into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.

  Place rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Bake the Rolls

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until just golden on top and cooked through. Don’t overbake—soft is key!

Make the Frosting

• While the rolls bake, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth and fluffy.

  Spread over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls. For a thicker topping, wait until the rolls cool slightly before frosting.

Serve and Enjoy

• Serve warm with coffee, cocoa, or a cozy chai. These are best the day of, but leftovers keep well covered at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

  Optional: Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Make Ahead Tip

• Make the rolls through Step 5 and refrigerate the pan overnight (covered). In the morning, let them sit at room temp for 45–60 minutes before baking.

Notes

• You can reduce calories and sugar by using less frosting or a lighter alternative (e.g., glaze).
• To make them a little lighter: consider swapping half of the flour for white whole wheat flour and using reduced-fat cream cheese.

💡 Ways to Save:

• Use store-brand butter, cream cheese, and spices.
• Buy ingredients like flour, sugar, and cinnamon in bulk.
• Skip the frosting or use a light glaze for a budget version.

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