These fluffy, gooey Cinnamon Rolls take the classic treat to the next level! Made with a rich and buttery dough, swirled with a decadent cinnamon filling, and topped off with a creamy cream cheese frosting, you’ll never want to make them any other way.
Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
A good cinnamon roll needs to check a few boxes. It’s gotta be soft and fluffy inside, with just the right amount of chew. The buttery flavor should stick with you after every bite. And, of course, it needs plenty of gooey cinnamon filling and a creamy frosting on top.
But the best cinnamon rolls? They’re homemade. And baking them from scratch is easier than you think. With instant yeast, they come together super fast without losing any of that amazing flavor or fluffiness. Once you’ve tried these easy homemade cinnamon rolls, it’ll be hard to resist making them again and again.
Need more cinnamon rolls in your life? Try my Cinnamon Roll Monkeybread, Cinnamon Roll Casserole, and Cinnamon Roll French Toast!
Ingredients
- Bread flour: Gives these rolls structure and chewiness.
- Instant yeast: Speeds up the rising process, perfect for quick cinnamon rolls!
- Sugar & salt: Balances sweetness in the dough and enhances flavor.
- Whole milk: Adds richness to the dough and frosting. Warm it for the dough.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for a buttery dough, softened for the filling and frosting to create gooey, indulgent rolls.
- Egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough. Make sure it’s at room temperature for better mixing.
- Brown sugar: A must-have for classic cinnamon rolls! It gives that rich, caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon: The star spice for a warm, aromatic, and flavorful filling.
- Cream cheese: Forms the base of the frosting. Use it at room temperature for a creamy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth and light.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla and cinnamon are a match made in heaven!
How to Make the Best Damn Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry ingredients (bread flour, yeast, sugar, & salt). Mix it with a whisk and make a well in the center.
Next, combine warm milk and melted butter. Pour the milk mixture in the center, followed by the egg.
Mix using the dough hook attachment on medium speed for 8-10 minutes, or knead by hand until smooth and elastic.
Top Tip
You want the dough soft, but not sticky. Avoid over-kneading it, as this can create a tough and chewy cinnamon roll.
Now, grease and cover the cinnamon roll dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then mix together softened butter, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl. The consistency should become a spreadable paste.
Step 3: Roll the Dough
Let’s get rolling! Punch down the dough and, using a rolling pin, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the top of the dough.
Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even pieces. Then place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Make Cream Cheese Frosting
While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and fluffy.
Step 6: Frost & Serve
Take the cinnamon rolls out of the oven and let them cool for 15 minutes. Then spread the cream cheese frosting over the rolls while they’re still warm.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Other Topping Ideas for Delicious Cinnamon Rolls
The cool thing about any homemade cinnamon roll recipe is that you can customize it however you wish. Here are some other topping ideas that will make your cinnamon rolls even more delicious:
- Chocolate chips
- Pecans or walnuts
- Fruit like apples, pears, or cranberries
- Maple glaze
- Caramel sauce
- Cream cheese frosting with a hint of lemon or orange zest
Storage & Reheating
Store your leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage, just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.
To reheat, warm them in the microwave or oven until heated through.
PrintRecipe
Best Damn Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
These soft, gooey Cinnamon Rolls are next-level delicious! Buttery dough, a sweet cinnamon swirl, and creamy cream cheese frosting… what’s not to love?
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4½ cups bread flour
- 2¼ teaspoons: (1 pack) instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cup whole milk, warm
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
For the Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine bread flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix it with a whisk and make a well in the center.
- Combine warm milk and melted butter. Pour the milk mixture in the center, followed by the egg.
- Mix using the dough hook on medium speed for 8–10 minutes, or knead by hand until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Grease and cover the dough, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon into a spreadable paste.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even pieces. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and fluffy.
- Let the rolls cool for 15 minutes, then spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Store your leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage, just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
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