Classic Bakery-Style Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, fluffy & irresistibly sweet

There’s nothing quite like classic bakery-style cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven — warm, pillowy, and swirled with rich cinnamon sugar goodness. These rolls bake up incredibly soft with a tender crumb and are finished with a smooth, creamy cream cheese icing that melts right into every swirl. Perfect for cozy weekends, holiday mornings, or make-ahead brunches, this recipe is surprisingly approachable even for beginners. With clear steps, helpful timing cues, and pro tips along the way, you’ll get bakery-quality results at home without stress. Best of all, you can prep the dough ahead of time, making this an ideal easy breakfast recipe for busy mornings when you still want something extra special.

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Rise Time: 2–3 hours
• Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
• Total Time: ~3 hours
• Servings: 12 cinnamon rolls

Ingredients List

Cinnamon Roll Dough

• 4 cups (568g) unbleached bread flour, plus more for rolling
• ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons (11g) instant quick-rise yeast
• 1¼ teaspoons (10g) fine table salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons (24g) neutral oil (vegetable, canola, sunflower, or olive)
• 1¼ cups (300ml) milk (whole or 2%)
• 2 tablespoons (28g) salted butter, softened

Cinnamon Filling

• 1 cup (200g) packed dark brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons (10g) ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon (8g) all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons (57g) salted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) water

Cream Cheese Icing

• 3 oz (85g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons (28g) salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Stand mixer with dough hook (or large mixing bowl)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Offset spatula or spoon
• 13×9-inch baking pan
• Plastic wrap
• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Mix the dough: Add flour to a stand mixer bowl. Sprinkle sugar, yeast, and salt in separate spots. Add egg, oil, milk, and softened butter.
2. Knead: Mix on medium-low for 10–15 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Dough should be soft, stretchy, and slightly sticky.
3. Stretch & fold: Transfer dough to a floured surface. Stretch and fold repeatedly until smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball.
4. First rise: Lightly oil the dough, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until nearly tripled. Chill 15 minutes if very soft.
5. Make filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Stir in melted butter and water until thick and spreadable.
6. Roll & fill: Roll dough into a 14×17-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly to the edges.
7. Shape rolls: Roll into a log and slice into 12 rolls, or cut strips and roll individually.
8. Second rise: Place rolls in greased pan. Cover and rise 30–60 minutes until puffy
9. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
10. Ice & serve: Cool 20 minutes. Mix icing ingredients until smooth, spread generously, and enjoy!

Pro Tips

• Make-ahead: Prepare rolls the night before, refrigerate after shaping, and bake fresh in the morning.
• Extra soft rolls: Don’t add too much flour — slightly sticky dough equals fluffy rolls.
• Storage: Store leftovers airtight at room temp for 1 day or refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Serving idea: Warm briefly and add extra icing for a bakery-style finish.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 roll	420	18g	35g	22g	4g	6g

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