Homemade cinnamon rolls made from scratch that are soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious! This recipe is easy to make using your stand mixer. Once you make these you’ll never make any other recipe!
Soft, buttery cinnamon rolls that are literally the best thing I’ve ever made, according to my son. This time at home has led me to create some new favorites in our home, and these cinnamon rolls made from scratch are what my family is asking for again. and again. and again.
What I like best about these cinnamon rolls is that the dough is super easy to work with, the recipe is straight forward, and that you can make them with little effort using your stand mixer. Best yet, I even tested them to see if we could make them the night before – and it worked!
Ingredients
Let’s start with the ingredients which are pantry staples in our home. While I have made this recipe with both bread flour and all-purpose flour I prefer making it with the bread flour. However, if all-purpose is all you have, these will still turn out great!
- bread flour
- granulated sugar
- salt
- yeast
- milk
- butter
- egg
- cinnamon
- powdered sugar
- vanilla
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch
In your mixer bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix and then add the milk, butter, and egg. Beat with your flat beater on low speed for 1 minute and then medium speed for 1 minute. Scrap the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
Remove your flat beater and attach the dough hook. Add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time and knead for 3-5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy.
Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to grease all sides. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Remove the risen dough from the bowl and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough to a 15×10 inch rectangle.
Spread the butter over the flattened dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar filling.
Roll the rectangle up tightly starting with the longer side. Pinch the end of the roll to seal.
Slice the cinnamon roll dough into 15 rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss. Each slice should be approximately 1 inch in width.
Place each slice into a greased 13×9 baking pan. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350˚F while the rolls are rising. Uncover the rolls that have doubled in size and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Frosting
- In a small pan on the stovetop, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted remove from heat. Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of water and whisk until smooth.
- Add to the top of your cinnamon rolls immediately after removing from the oven.
Make Ahead
You can make these cinnamon rolls the night before. After making cinnamon roll slices place in a 13×9 baking dish and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. Two hours before baking, remove from the refrigerator, and replace the plastic wrap with a kitchen towel. Let rise for up to 2 hours or until they have doubled in size. Bake as directed.
Tips and Notes
How warm should I make the milk? Measure out the 1 cup of milk in a measuring glass. Microwave for 45 seconds or until the temperature reaches 120˚ F.
How can I make my dough rise? Your oven may have a dough rising function. I set mine to 100˚F which is the perfect temperature to rise the dough in my cold kitchen.
When is the dough ready after rising? You’ll know your dough is ready when you press your finger into it and the indentation remains when touched.
How do I make even cinnamon rolls? When you cut them use a ruler to measure out 1 inch. If you end up with 14 rolls or 16 rolls, that is okay. Just press them into the pan. It happens.
How do I know when the rolls are done baking? Your rolls will reach an internal temperature of 190˚F when they are done baking. If you find that your rolls are getting too brown on top before you reach this temperature, cover with foil.
How do you freeze cinnamon rolls? Freeze the baked cinnamon rolls individually in a well sealed plastic bag or container. Leave on the counter at room temperature overnight to thaw before warming in the microwave to enjoy for breakfast!
More Breakfast Recipes
Cinnamon Rolls Made from Scratch
Ingredients
Rolls
- 3 1/2 – 4 Cups bread flour or all-purpose
- 1/3 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 teaspoons yeast or 2 packages
- 1 Cup warm milk 120˚ F
- 1/4 Cup butter softened
- 1 egg
Filling
- 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
Vanilla Frosting
- 1/2 Cup butter
- 2 Cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
Cinnamon Rolls
- In your mixer bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix and then add the milk, butter, and egg. Beat with your flat beater on low speed for 1 minute and then medium speed for 1 minute. Scrap the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
- Remove your flat beater and attach the dough hook. Add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time and knead for 3-5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy.
- Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to grease all sides. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Remove the risen dough from the bowl and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough to a 15×10 inch rectangle. Spread the melted butter over the flattened dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar filling.
- Roll the rectangle up tightly starting with the longer side. Pinch the end of the roll to seal. Slice the cinnamon roll dough into 15 rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss. Each slice should be approximately 1 inch in width.
- Place each slice into a greased 13×9 baking pan. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F while the rolls are rising. Uncover the rolls that have doubled in size and bake for 25-30 minutes. Immediately spread with frosting.
Frosting
- In a small pan on the stovetop, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted remove from heat. Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of water and whisk until smooth.
- Add to the top of your cinnamon rolls immediately after removing from the oven.
Comments & Reviews
Hi, when you say 2 pkgs of yeast, do you mean rapid rise or active dry yeast? I’m looking forward to trying these- thanks.
I use active dry yeast but have used rapid rise in the past with success as well.
You don’t give measure amounts of ingredients
Hi! All the ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. 🙂