Freshly baked cinnamon rolls are a crowd-pleaser year-round: tender, pillowy dough rolled with cinnamon-sugar and finished with a light, sweet glaze. These homemade rolls are comforting and perfect for holiday mornings, big family breakfasts, or any special occasion.
A delicious tradition
In our family, cinnamon rolls are a Christmas morning staple. My mother always prepares the table the night before, making everything look festive, and we gather—more than 20 of us—for a leisurely sit-down breakfast. Alongside the rolls we often serve eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, hot chocolate, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. No matter how the menu varies, the cinnamon rolls are almost always present.
When we’re not at my parents’ house for the holidays, I make these same rolls at home. My mom’s recipe is our go-to for Easter, family events, or any morning that calls for warm baking. Often she prepares the rolls the day before, then wraps them in foil and reheats them in the oven for about 15 minutes on the morning they’re served. If you’re reheating, add the glaze after warming so it stays bright and glossy.
These rolls aren’t made from an overly sweet dough; most of the sweetness comes from the cinnamon-sugar filling and the finishing glaze. The result is a balanced roll that’s soft and flavorful without being cloying.
Do you prefer your rolls glazed or unglazed? I’m partial to a thin glaze — enough to enhance the rolls without overshadowing them. Let the cinnamon roll shine; the glaze should complement, not dominate.
More delicious baked goods
- Cranberry sweet roll
- Cranberry bread
- Puff pastry pinwheels
- Eggnog scones
- Pecan sticky buns
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and share a photo on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop.
If you enjoy this recipe, explore more in the baking category for additional sweet and savory baked favorites.
- Peach Bread
- Chocolate Chip Scones
- Blueberry Peach Muffins
- Cranberry Nut Muffins
Cinnamon Rolls
By Kathy Berget
Soft, homemade sweet rolls swirled with cinnamon-sugar and finished with a simple vanilla glaze.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Rise Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18 rolls
Calories: 286 kcal per roll
Equipment
- Stand mixer (or large mixing bowl if mixing by hand)
- Rolling pin
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Greased baking dish (rectangular works well)
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one package)
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you may not need all)
Filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warmed milk, yeast, and 3 tablespoons sugar. Let stand 5–10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
- Add the eggs, melted butter, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix to combine.
- With the mixer running, add remaining flour 1 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the bowl. You may not need all the flour.
- Knead the dough for about 5 minutes in a stand mixer (or 10 minutes by hand) until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 60–90 minutes.
- Gently deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 12 x 18-inch rectangle.
- Brush the dough with the melted 1/3 cup butter. Mix the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
- Starting from a long edge, roll the dough into a tight log and pinch the seam to seal.
- Cut the log into 1-inch slices and place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between them. Let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly in the pan. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and milk to make a thin glaze, then drizzle over the warm rolls.
Nutrition (per roll)
Calories: 286 kcal | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 25 mg | Sodium: 213 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 15 g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and should be used as a guide. For exact values, calculate nutrition using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
Tried this recipe? Share your photos and tag @BeyondTheChickenCoop or use #beyondthechickencoop on social media—I’d love to see your results!
This post was originally published in December 2015. The photos have been updated.