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Home » Breakfast » The Best Cinnamon Rolls

Published: Nov 20, 2017 · Modified: Sep 22, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

The Best Cinnamon Rolls

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Cinnamon and brown sugar are surrounded by light and fluffy layers of sweet dough to create The Best Cinnamon Rolls that will ever come out of your oven! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Good morning sunshine! These are The Best Cinnamon Rolls guaranteed to brighten up the dreariest of mornings, and they come with two topping options!! I am partial to the cream cheese frosted cinnamon rolls, but the second option is lactose-free for those who actually listen to their doctors when they say avoid dairy…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls with Two Topping Options will make the entire family happy! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

But seriously, just look at that yummy frosting!! How could they not be called The Best Cinnamon Rolls? They are my go to breakfast for special occasions. I make them the night before, then cover them and let them hang out in the refrigerator overnight. Then first thing in the morning, I pull them and out leave them on the counter to warm up while we open our presents or watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Cinnamon and brown sugar are surrounded by light and fluffy layers of sweet dough to create The Best Cinnamon Rolls that will ever come out of your oven! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

How to make the best cinnamon rolls:

Pull out your stand mixer, or get your arms ready to mix up a yummy breakfast treat!

Start by heating your water and milk to 110 to 115 degrees. Add the yeast, stir it together and let it sit for 10 minutes to proof…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls proof the yeast COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Add the butter, egg, sugar, flour, and salt…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls add the dry ingredients COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Mix for 4 to 5 minutes to combine until well incorporated…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls mix into a ball COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Place dough into an oiled bowl, flip the dough over and cover…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls place in oiled bowl to rise COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Allow dough to rise in a warm location for about 1 and a 1/2 hours, or until doubled…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls rise until doubled COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Remove dough and place on a flour covered work surface. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before rolling…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls let dough rest COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Roll dough into a 15″ x 18″ rectangle…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls roll out dough COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Spread the softened butter over the top of the dough…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls spread butter COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Sprinkle the brown sugar, then the cinnamon evenly over the butter…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls brown sugar and cinnamon COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Starting at the top, roll the dough downward toward you…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls roll the dough COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Make sure your finished roll is still 18-inches long. Mark the dough every 1 1/2-inches…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls mark every 1 12 inches COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

And slice with a very sharp knife…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls slices COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Place in a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray {with or without parchment paper}….

The Best Cinnamon Rolls place in baking dish COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size, about an hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls rise until doubled in pan COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Place in oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through in the center.

Vanilla Glaze:

Whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl {I used 2 tablespoons for a thicker glaze}. Add additional milk to achieve desired consistency.

The Best Cinnamon Rolls mix vanilla icing COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Drizzle glaze over rolls in the pan, then serve…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls are light, fluffy, and topped with a vanilla glaze. They are also sure to become a morning favorite! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Cream Cheese Frosting/Icing:

Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the butter and beat until well incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Add the salt and vanilla, beat until fluffy…..

The Best Cinnamon Rolls mix cream cheese frosting COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Spread over warm cinnamon rolls…..

Everyone will fly out of bed in the morning to get their hands on The Best Cinnamon Rolls topped with cream cheese frosting! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Store leftover rolls in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, assuming they last that long. 😉

Notes:

  • I cover my dough with plastic wrap, then top with a dish towel when rising that way the towel does not stick to the top of the dough if it rises too high.
  • All ovens bake differently, times are suggestions based on my cooking time.
  • I use this KitchenAid Stand Mixer {affiliate links} and love it! I also use this Glass Bowl so you can see what is inside, lol

These Cherry Sweet Rolls would also be a delicious treat on Christmas morning {or Valentiner’s Day, or New Year’s}…..

No one will stay in bed once they smell these Cherry Sweet Rolls baking in the oven | cookingwithcurls.com

Don’t want to play with yeast? How about Cranberry-Orange Scones?

Cranberry-Orange Scones Recipe COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Or this tender and delicious Cinnamon-Pecan Coffee Cake…..

Cinnamon-Pecan Coffee Cake is light and fluffy with a crunchy sweet filling and a light glaze to top it off | COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

But that’s not all. My Feast & Devour friends have their own Cinnamon treats to share with you:

  • Dad’s Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Coffee Cake from Bread Booze Bacon
  • Cinnamon Apple Crescent Braid from The Two Bite Club
  • Easy Apple Cinnamon Turnovers from It Bakes Me Happy

Enjoy!!

Cinnamon and brown sugar are surrounded by light and fluffy layers of sweet dough to create The Best Cinnamon Rolls that will ever come out of your oven! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

The Best Cinnamon Rolls

Good morning sunshine! These are The Best Cinnamon Rolls guaranteed to brighten up the dreariest of mornings, and they come with two topping options!!
4.43 from 7 votes
Print
Course: Breakfast
Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

Cinnamon Roll Dough

  • 1/2 cup water (110 to 115 degrees)
  • 3/4 cup milk (110 to 115 degrees) I used CashewMilk
  • 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup very soft, unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg at room temperaure
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Filling

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting/Icing

  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 Tablespoons milk (I used CashewMilk)

Instructions

For the Cinnamon Rolls

  • Start by heating your water and milk to 110 to 115 degrees. Add the yeast, stir it together and let it sit for 10 minutes to proof.
  • Add the butter, egg, sugar, flour, and salt. Mix for 4 to 5 minutes to combine until well incorporated.
  • Place dough into an oiled bowl, flip the dough over and cover. Allow dough to rise in a warm location for about 1 and a 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
  • Remove dough and place on a flour covered work surface. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before rolling.
  • Roll dough into a 15″ x 18″ rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the top of the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar, then the cinnamon evenly over the butter.
  • Starting at the top of the long side, roll the dough downward toward you. Make sure your finished roll is still 18-inches long.
  • Mark the dough every 1 1/2-inches, and slice with a very sharp knife.
  • Place in a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray {with or without parchment paper}. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size, about an hour. 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place in oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through in the center. Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting/Icing

  • Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the butter and beat until well incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Add the salt and vanilla, beat until fluffy. 
  • Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.

For the Vanilla Icing

  • Whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl {I used 2 tablespoons for a thicker glaze}. Add additional milk to achieve desired consistency.
  • Drizzle glaze over rolls in the pan, then serve.
  • Store leftover rolls in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    November 23, 2017 at 8:12 am

    How much butter/cinnamon/brown sugar is used before rolling up the dough? I’m making these now and did not read through the recipe before so I’ll just eyeball it today. Would like to know the measurements you use. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      November 25, 2017 at 8:40 am

      I am so sorry Kim! 1/3 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon.

      Reply
  2. Adrienne says

    November 24, 2017 at 5:12 am

    Hi! These look amazing! I see in the directions to add butter to the dough and then to spread the softened butter to the dough rectangle. But I only see butter listed once in the ingredients. How much butter do you add to the dough when mixing? Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      November 25, 2017 at 8:39 am

      I am so sorry Adrienne! 1/3 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon.

      Reply
  3. Becky says

    November 26, 2017 at 11:18 pm

    Do you put them in the fridge to bake off the next morning after which step? I’m assuming right after they are cut and not to let rise the hour? Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Lois Christensen says

    December 04, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    These are the prettiest cinnamon rolls I’ve ever seen! Thank you for sharing with Delicious Dishes Recipe Party. Hope to see you again tomorrow!

    Reply
  5. BARB PORTER says

    July 14, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    Hallelujah!!!

    I have finally found my childhood cinnamon rolls after trying recipes for the last 40 years. These are the perfect rise, super soft and topped with cream cheese frosting heaven!!

    I can’t thank you enough for sharing this treasure, Barb

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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