Homemade cinnamon rolls rolls are soft, fluffy and absolutely delicious. They are filled with cinnamon sugar and topped with creamy icing. They are a total crowd pleaser and make the perfect breakfast treat.
Homemade cinnamon rolls
Homemade cinnamon rolls are good for any occasion; holidays, birthdays, weekends, or even just because they sound like a good idea! And if you love big, soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls, look no further! This homemade cinnamon roll recipe is topped with a perfect vanilla cream cheese icing (it’s really the cherry on top).
Don’t get me wrong, recipes that include yeast can definitely be intimidating! So I knew I wanted to create an easy yeast cinnamon roll recipe that anyone could make. This recipe only requires 1 hour of waiting time to allow the dough to rise.
The main flour in this recipe is all purpose flour or bread flour! I tend to bake with other flours but I found that regular all purpose flour works best for these cinnamon rolls. And cinnamon rolls are meant for indulging right? I tested this recipe a number of times with other gluten free flours and they ended up too crumbly with the wrong texture. Using all purpose flour or bread flour for this recipe makes the perfect consistency and texture.
Keep reading to find a few other reasons why you’ll love this recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe
You can never go wrong with a soft and fluffy cinnamon roll. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe.
- These cinnamon rolls have the perfect amount of sweetness.
- They are the perfect breakfast treat to make for you family or a crowd.
- Homemade cinnamon rolls are pillowy soft.
- They are freezer friendly.
- With only 1 hour of waiting time, they are so easy to make.
- They are great for gifting to friends and family.
Ingredients and substitutes in homemade cinnamon rolls
Here are the ingredients you’ll need.
Almond milk: You will use 1 cup of warm almond milk! You can also use regular cows milk, oat milk or any dairy free milk of your choice.
Yeast: Yeast helps baked goods rise. The yeast in these cinnamon rolls always them to become super soft and fluffy. You can use one packet of yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons.
Eggs: We will be using 2 eggs. Eggs are super necessary as they bind all the ingredients together.
Butter: 1/4 cup of butter is used in the dough and an additional 1/4 cup is used for the filling layer. You can also substitute ghee or vegan butter. I haven’t tried using oil but you could give a neutral oil a try like canola oil or light olive oil.
Maple syrup: Next up, will use pure maple syrup to add some sweetness! Maple syrup also adds chewiness to baked goods. If you don’t have any syrup on hand you can give honey a try.
Sugar: A little bit of sugar paired with the maple syrup gives a the dough a perfectly sweet balance. White sugar or coconut sugar will both work! We will also be using white sugar and brown sugar for the filling.
Flour: The main ingredient is all purpose flour or bread flour, we will be using 4 cups! Flour is the main event. Make sure to scoop and level the flour. Don’t pack it in!
Cinnamon: About a tablespoon of cinnamon will be used for the filling.
Ingredients in the homemade icing
Cream cheese: 4oz cream cheese will help create the frosting. It adds creaminess, texture and flavor.
Powdered sugar: We will be adding one cup of powdered sugar to make the frosting.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract helps enhance the flavor of the icing! You can buy a large vanilla extract on amazon.
What makes this recipe healthier?
Firstly, these cinnamon rolls use pure maple syrup as an all natural sweetener. While maple syrup is still sugar, it does have a lower score on the glycemic index.
Secondly, you can use light cream cheese in the frosting. You won’t taste the difference so you can opt for light cream cheese. The frosting is thick and creamy and is perfect on top of these cinnamon rolls.
Thirdly, you can use coconut sugar instead of pure white sugar. Again, sugar is still sugar! But coconut sugar is a great all natural, plant based sweetener. Please note that coconut sugar will give the dough a darker color.
Frequently asked questions
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled, store them in a freezer friendly container in the freezer. To reheat them out of the freezer simply let them thaw at room temperature or you can defrost them in the microwave. Or heat them back up in the oven until fully warmed through.
Can I use bread flour?
Yes! I actually recommend using bread flour for this recipe as it results in super soft results. I actually like it better than using all purpose flour.
Can I omit the icing?
Definitely. If you aren’t a fan of icing just don’t make any! Icing isn’t for everyone.
How to serve
Cinnamon rolls are so delicious on their own. There is nothing wrong about just enjoying a soft, fluffy and cinnamon roll topped with icing. Hey, that’s usually how we enjoy them right? Well here are two other ways you can eat them:
Serve them with breakfast brunch. Add these homemade cinnamon rolls into your breakfast brunch line up. Serve them along side eggs, bacon, and hash browns. I mean, it really doesn’t get better than that.
Along side chili. Has anyone else heard of chili and cinnamon rolls? I’m not sure if I am fully on board but I know so many people who love this combination. A warm bowl of chili and a sugary cinnamon roll, not too shabby huh?
Other delicious recipes you’ll love by Brae’s Bites
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Not only are they are perfect to make for tasty breakfast treat but they also come together in under 2 hours. If you love these fluffy cinnamon rolls make sure to try these other yummy recipes below!
Oat Flour Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Did you make this recipe?
If you make these homemade cinnamon rolls, I would really appreciate a rating and a review! I love to see what you make! You can also find and follow me in Instagram and Pinterest for some more recipe inspiration.
Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Healthier)
Equipment
- 9×13 inch pan
Ingredients
dough
- 1 packet yeast or 2 ¼ tsp
- 1 cup warm almond milk OR milk 110-115 degrees
- 2 eggs large
- ¼ cup butter or ghee melted and cooled
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup white sugar or coconut sugar
- 4 cups bread flour OR all purpose flour plus ¼-⅓ cup more, Make sure to scoop and level the flour
filling
- 1/3 cup white sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter softened
frosting
- 4 oz light cream cheese or regular cream cheese
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- First we will make the dough. In the bowl of your stand up mixer, combine all the dough ingredients: warm almond milk, yeast, eggs, butter, maple syrup, sugar and flour.
- Use your dough hook attachment and knead for 5-8 minutes until the dough comes together. If it's too sticky, slowly add a little extra flour if needed. You may need to add ¼ to ⅓ cup (I usually add in ¼ cup while it's kneading). Some of the dough will stick to the bottom of the bowl while kneading and that's ok.
- Form the dough into a ball and add it to a well oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm spot for about an hour. The dough will double in size.
- After an hour, roll out the dough onto a floured surface. The dough should be rolled into a large rectangle (about 11×14)
- Now make your filling by combining the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the rolled out dough with the softened butter and sprinkle the filling on top.
- Slowly roll the dough into a log and cut it into 12 rolls. Place the rolls down flat in a greased 9×13 inch pan. Now let the rolls sit for 15-30 minutes while you preheat your oven.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting! In a medium bowl. Cream together all the frosting ingredients until smooth.
- Once the cinnamon rolls have baked and cooled slightly, cover with frosting and enjoy!
I made these for the whole family this evening. They smelled so good my kids ate them before they had cooled. Looking forward to some me-time in the morning with my coffee and a yeast cinnamon roll. Thank you Brae!
Thank you! I am so glad you liked them. They are the best warm right out of the oven.