The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Rolling in (cinnamon) dough. Beloved by everyone, these fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, layered with buttery cinnamon filling, and topped with a simple vanilla icing. This recipe takes you step by step, with pro baker techniques like how to properly mix the dough, then roll, slice, and bake the buns.

Meet This Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipe

I don’t know if there is really any such thing as a bad cinnamon roll, but there are definitely ones that are better than others. Now, you’ll never hear me complaining about a big mall Cinnabon (shout out to the King of Prussia Mall in PA…ah, taste the memories).

But the very best cinnamon rolls are homemade from scratch, with a rich but fluffy dough, a sweet brown sugar and cinnamon filling, and just enough vanilla icing to put it over the top. Preferably served warm from the oven (or at least warmed up before serving), cinnamon buns make a special breakfast or brunch treat — especially around the holidays — or just a great dessert. (And while we’re on the subject of good, homey breakfast baked goods, check out the recipe for blackberry coffee cake.)

This recipe will take you step by step to perfect cinnamon rolls, including:

• How to mix dough and let it rise properly
• How to roll cinnamon buns 
• How to bake and frost your homemade cinnamon rolls
• Tips for storage, making them in advance, and more

• One package active dry yeast: to make the dough rise
• Warm water: to activate the yeast; this should be between 100 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit, or feel lukewarm/warm against your wrist (basically slightly warmer than body temperature). A digital kitchen probe thermometer will get you exactly there if you want to be extra-precise like me.
• Whole milk: to add moisture and richness to the dough; if you’re feeling decadent, you can use heavy cream. Just do not ever use skim milk.
• Sugar: adds sweetness to the dough and helps the yeast along, since yeast feeds on sugar
• Salt: to add dimension to the dough’s flavor profile
• Soft unsalted butter: to enrich the dough
• Eggs: adds richness to the cinnamon bun dough
• All-purpose flour: the building block of the dough. I (and many pastry pros) use King Arthur brand.

Here’s what you’ll need for the cinnamon sugar filling:

• Soft butter: to create the spread. Bonus points for using a high-fat butter like Plugra or similar.
• Light brown sugar: for sweetness with a caramel note
• Cinnamon: for fragrant flavor
• Optional: chopped walnuts or golden raisins, but I generally do not use them in this recipe

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the frosting:

• Confectioner’s sugar
• Melted butter
• Hot milk
• Pure vanilla extract

How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Recipe Steps + Baking Time

Homemade cinnamon buns are a several step process, but you’ve got this. The general step-by-step directions break down as follows. (There are photos for each step above and below this list.):

1. Mix the dough and knead until it forms a smooth, elastic ball. Let it rise in a greased, covered bowl until doubled in size. Meanwhile, make the cinnamon, sugar, and butter filling. A bowl scraper is helpful for getting the dough into the greased bowl.
2. Press and with a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
3. Use an offset spatula to spread the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture over the rolled dough, leaving a slight margin around the edge.
4. Roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam closed, then slice it into about 8 rolls using a knife or bench scraper.
5. Place the raw rolls face-up in a greased baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp, clean kitchen towel and let double in size at room temperature.
6. Bake until fluffy and golden brown. Cool slightly, then smear your homemade cinnamon rolls with icing and serve warm. Enjoy being showered in compliments.

Baking Notes: Making the rolls in advance, freezing, storage, general tips and techniques

Here are a few important notes.

Can I make cinnamon rolls in advance? Yes, in one of two ways:

One way to make homemade cinnamon rolls in advance is to follow them all the way through to baked, then freeze them when cooled — still in the baking pan. Then just plop the whole thing back in a warm oven until heated through, and spread with the frosting to serve.

The other way to make them in advance is to follow through step 5 above, but after placing the rolls face-up in the greased baking dish, immediately cover and refrigerate overnight instead of letting them do a second rise. They should only rise in the fridge a very small bit, if at all.

Then bake the next morning: Remove the rolls from the fridge, let them rise on the countertop, still covered, until fluffy (about 30-45 minutes), then bake and frost with the powdered sugar icing.

General Easy Cinnamon Roll Tips and Techniques:

A common mistake is a cinnamon bun that sort-of unravels when baked, making an open spiral instead of a tight swirl. This mistake occurs when the roll is not rolled tightly enough. To roll the cinnamon roll correctly for the best result, pull the dough back slightly, as though it were a little elastic, before folding it over as you roll. This creates a tighter roll.

It’s also important to cover the cinnamon roll dough when it’s rising. Otherwise, the dough will form a dry skin on top. (And no one likes dry skin.)

Dough likes to rise at a warm temperature, between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If that’s not possible and your house is chillier than that, just put it in a cozy spot in your house, and give it a little extra time to double in bulk. It will get there (and actually develop a little extra flavor to the dough in the process!).

Also, I love using the dough hook of a stand mixer to knead the dough. I mix it on medium for about 10 minutes, until the dough forms a smooth, elastic ball.

How long will homemade cinnamon buns last?

Like any fresh bread, cinnamon buns are best the day they are baked, but this will stay good for about two days covered at room temperature. The best technique, though, is to freeze them immediately once cooled and reheat when you want them.

Love a homemade cinnamon baked good? You’ll also love:

• Sticky Bun French Toast
• New Jersey-Style Crumb Cake
• Homemade Apple Crisp With Oat Topping

Why you should trust this homemade cinnamon roll recipe: I am a professional baker and pastry chef with a degree in baking and pastry from the Culinary Institute of America. Each recipe has been personally tested, edited, and tested again. Please reach out with any questions! I love to help.