Heavenly Swirled Cinnamon Roll Recipe for Cozy Mornings

Warm, pillowy cinnamon rolls with gooey centers have been a breakfast staple that sparks joy in kitchens everywhere.

Soft dough swirled with sweet cinnamon promises pure comfort on a lazy morning.

The aroma of freshly baked pastries wafts through the house, beckoning everyone to the kitchen.

Each roll promises a delectable blend of buttery dough and rich spice that melts in your mouth.

Tender spirals dripping with cream cheese frosting transform an ordinary breakfast into a memorable treat.

These heavenly rolls deliver pure indulgence in every single bite.

You’ll want to savor every delicious morsel of this irresistible morning delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything You Need For Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

• Warm Milk: Kickstarts yeast activation and provides soft, tender texture with rich dairy undertones.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential living ingredient that makes dough rise and creates fluffy, airy rolls.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness while helping dough develop golden color.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients, adds richness, and contributes to soft, tender roll structure.
• Egg Yolk: Enhances moisture, creates luxurious texture, and improves roll's golden appearance.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor, helps create tender crumb, and adds delectable moistness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structural ingredient creating perfect roll consistency and volume.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances flavor, and strengthens gluten development in dough.

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes, moisture, and creates luscious gooey cinnamon swirl.
• Ground Cinnamon: Delivers warm, aromatic spice that defines classic roll flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps spread filling evenly and creates rich, melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth base with luxurious, velvety texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting for ideal spreading texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, complex sweetness and rounds out frosting flavor.

Tools To Make Cinnamon Rolls

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Powerful tool for kneading dough and mixing frosting ingredients smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dough ingredients and letting dough rise.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for rolling out dough into a thin, even rectangle.
• Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Helps cut dough into precise, even cinnamon roll slices.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and presenting your rolls with golden-brown perfection.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for spreading filling and scraping down mixing bowl sides.
• Whisk: Helps blend ingredients evenly and create smooth frosting.

How To Roll & Bake Cinnamon Rolls

• Awaken the Yeast Magic

Combine milk, yeast, and sugar in a cozy bowl. Let these ingredients dance and bubble for a few minutes until they become wonderfully foamy.

• Create the Dough Masterpiece

Blend in an egg, egg yolk, and melted butter into your yeast mixture. Gradually fold in flour and salt, then knead with love until the dough becomes silky smooth. Allow the dough to rest and rise, transforming into a puffy cloud.

• Craft the Flavor Explosion

Whip together butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a decadent swirl of deliciousness. Roll out your rested dough into a generous rectangle, then generously spread the cinnamon mixture across its surface.

• Shape and Prepare

Gently roll the dough into a tight log, then slice into delectable rounds. Nestle these spirals into a baking dish and let them rise once more, getting plump and inviting.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the rolls into a preheated oven and bake until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. While they’re still warm, drench them with a creamy, dreamy frosting that will make taste buds dance with joy.

Tips For Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

• Quick Rise Trick: Warm your oven slightly and place the covered dough inside to speed up rising time, creating a perfect environment for yeast activation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow them to come to room temperature.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and choose dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Flavor Twist: Experiment with different spice combinations like adding cardamom or nutmeg to the filling, or sprinkle chopped nuts for extra crunch and depth of flavor.

Serve Up Warm Cinnamon Rolls

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm cinnamon rolls with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a luxurious morning treat.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a complete, indulgent brunch spread that will impress family and friends.
• Dessert Transformation: Turn these rolls into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzling with extra caramel sauce for added richness.
• Party Perfect Presentation: Arrange rolls on a beautiful wooden board with fresh berries and mint leaves for an Instagram-worthy display that will wow your guests.

Keep Cinnamon Rolls Soft

• Meal Planning & Storage Magic
• Batch Baking Bliss: Whip up multiple batches of rolls and freeze unbaked. Wrap tightly in plastic, then aluminum foil for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for fresh-from-the-oven goodness.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store fully frosted rolls in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Warm gently in microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that just-baked softness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Make-Ahead Masterpiece: Prepare dough and assemble rolls the night before. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature, then bake as directed.
• Freezer-Friendly Frosting: Keep cream cheese frosting in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in refrigerator and whip briefly before spreading to restore creamy consistency.

Gooey Cinnamon Roll Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade cinnamon rolls merge classic comfort with sweet spice, creating a breakfast classic that warms hearts. Pillowy dough wrapped around rich cinnamon filling offers delightful indulgence you can savor with coffee or morning tea.

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Ingredients

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• 3.5 cups (875 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2.25 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk (if needed for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine warm milk, sweetener, and yeast in a large mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to foam and develop for 7-9 minutes.
2. Liquid Integration: Whisk eggs and melted butter into the activated yeast, stirring until completely combined.
3. Dough Formation: Fold flour and salt into the liquid mixture, kneading on a floured surface until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, approximately 60-75 minutes.
4. Filling Preparation: While dough rises, blend softened butter, caramelized sugar, and ground cinnamon into a uniform spread.
5. Dough Shaping: Deflate the risen dough and roll into a rectangular shape on a flour-dusted countertop. Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the entire surface.
6. Rolling and Cutting: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact cylinder. Slice into uniform spiraled portions and place in a buttered baking dish, leaving minimal space between rolls.
7. Final Proofing: Cover the rolls with a light cloth and allow a secondary rise until puffy and slightly merged.
8. Baking and Glazing: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until golden brown, then immediately top with a cream cheese glaze made by whipping cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and velvety.

Notes

• Warm Milk Precision: Use milk between 100-110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing microorganisms, ensuring proper dough rising.
• Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by kneading dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, preventing dense or tough cinnamon rolls.
• Rising Environment: Place dough in draft-free, warm area around 80-85°F, like near a preheated oven, to promote optimal yeast fermentation and volume.
• Filling Distribution: Soften butter completely and spread evenly across dough, leaving small margin at edges to prevent leakage during rolling and baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg