Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Want soft, gooey cinnamon rolls without the fuss? This recipe gives you bakery-style rolls at home with simple ingredients and easy steps.

The yeast does most of the work while you wait, and the cream cheese frosting makes every bite feel special.

What You Need

For the dough:

• 224 ml milk
• 150 g sugar
• 10 g dry yeast
• 80 g butter
• 700 g flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 eggs
• Lemon zest

For the filling:

• 150 g brown sugar
• 20 g cinnamon
• 100 g butter

For the frosting:

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1:

Warm your milk until it feels like bathwater on your wrist. Stir in the sugar and yeast, then wait 5 minutes. It should look foamy and bubbly on top.

Step 2:

Add melted butter, eggs, and lemon zest to the yeast mixture. Mix in flour and salt. Knead for 5 minutes until the dough feels smooth and soft. Cover with a towel and let it sit for 1 hour.

Step 3:

Roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured counter. Spread softened butter all over, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mix on top.

Step 4:

Roll the dough up tight from the long side. Cut into 12 pieces and put them in a greased baking dish. Let them puff up for 30 minutes.

Step 5:

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes. The tops should turn golden brown. While they bake, mix all the frosting ingredients until creamy.

Step 6:

Wait 5 minutes after baking, then spread the cream cheese frosting on top while the rolls are still warm. The frosting will melt into all the swirls.

Tips Before You Start

Why This Recipe Works

The yeast makes the dough rise and creates those fluffy layers that pull apart so easily. When it activates in warm milk, tiny bubbles form that make everything light and airy.

Brown sugar melts into the butter while baking and turns into that sticky, sweet filling you love. White sugar doesn’t give the same gooey texture.

Lemon zest adds a tiny bit of brightness that balances out all the sweetness. You won’t really taste lemon, but you’ll notice something tastes extra good.

Cream cheese frosting is tangier than regular icing. It cuts through the richness and makes you want another bite.

Before You Start Tips

Check your yeast first: If it doesn’t foam up after 10 minutes in the warm milk, it’s dead. Get fresh yeast and start over.

Keep butter soft: Leave the filling butter on the counter for an hour before you need it. Cold butter tears holes in your dough.

Use dental floss to cut: Slide unflavored dental floss under the dough log, cross the ends, and pull. Your rolls stay round and pretty.

Don’t add too much flour: The dough should feel slightly sticky. Add flour slowly while kneading until it just stops sticking to your hands.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Variations

Add Nuts

Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before you roll everything up. They toast in the oven and add a nice crunch.

Try Orange Zest

Swap lemon zest for orange or tangerine zest. Orange gives a brighter, sweeter flavor that tastes amazing with cinnamon.

Make Mini Rolls

Cut 16 pieces instead of 12 for smaller portions. Bake for 18-20 minutes instead of 25. They’re cute for parties.

Add Chocolate

Toss chocolate chips over the filling or drizzle melted chocolate on top of the frosting. Because chocolate makes everything better.

Storage Tips

Keep these rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. They stay soft and fresh without refrigeration.

Freeze wrapped rolls for up to 3 months. Microwave one for 30 seconds when you want a quick treat.

Make them the night before by cutting the rolls and putting them in the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes, then bake.

Store extra frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for a week. Let it warm up on the counter before you spread it.

Common Cinnamon Roll Mistakes

Using Hot Milk

Too much heat kills the yeast and your dough won’t rise. The milk should feel warm but not hot on your skin.

Rushing the Rise

The dough needs time to double in size. Cold kitchens take longer. Put the bowl near your oven or in a warm spot.

Skipping the Second Rise

Those 30 minutes after cutting make the rolls extra fluffy and soft. Don’t skip this step even if you’re in a hurry.

Overbaking

Check your rolls at 20 minutes. They should be golden on top but not dark brown. They keep cooking a bit after you take them out.

Best Ways to Serve

Serve these warm with extra frosting on the side. Some people really love loading up on that cream cheese goodness.

Pair them with hot coffee or cold milk. The drinks balance out the sweetness and make each bite taste even better.

They work for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Anytime you want something warm and comforting, these deliver.

Add scrambled eggs and bacon on the side for a full weekend breakfast. It feels like a special occasion even when it’s not.

On a Budget

This recipe uses basic ingredients you probably already have. No fancy items or expensive spices needed.

One batch makes 12 rolls for less than what you’d pay for 6 at a bakery. Your wallet will thank you.

Freeze half the batch and save them for later. It’s like having free bakery treats ready whenever you want.

Use whatever citrus zest you have on hand. Lemon, orange, or tangerine all work great and add flavor without extra cost.

For Beginners

This is a great first yeast recipe. The steps are straightforward and you can see the dough change as you work with it.

Kneading takes practice but you can’t really mess it up. The dough gets smooth and elastic after a few minutes.

If your first batch isn’t the best, try again. Baking with yeast gets easier every time you do it.

The smell alone makes you feel like a baking genius. Your whole house will smell like a bakery.

FAQ

Can I use instant yeast? Yes. Mix it right into the flour instead of blooming it in milk first. Everything else stays the same.

What if my dough doesn’t rise? Your kitchen is probably too cold. Put the bowl in a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water on the bottom rack.

Can I make these without dairy? Use plant milk and vegan butter for the dough. For frosting, try vegan cream cheese or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and plant milk.

Why did my rolls turn out dense? You added too much flour or didn’t let them rise long enough. The dough should feel soft and a little sticky.

Can I double the recipe? Yes. Use two baking dishes or bake in batches. The dough handles doubling really well.

How do I know when they’re done? The tops should be golden brown and the rolls should feel firm when you gently press the top. They shouldn’t look wet or doughy.

Can I use whole wheat flour? You can replace half the white flour with whole wheat. Using all whole wheat makes them dense and heavy.

The end

This easy cinnamon rolls recipe gives you bakery results without the bakery price. The ingredients are simple and the steps are clear.

Set aside a couple hours on the weekend and enjoy the process. You’ll end up with warm, frosted rolls that make everyone happy.