Traditional Cinnamon Rolls

🕒 Prep: 1 hour
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 12
★★★★★
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Cinnamon rolls are the epitome of comfort food. Warm, gooey, and overflowing with cinnamon goodness, they make any morning feel like a special occasion. My recipe keeps things simple yet classic, ensuring every bite is as delightful as the last.

Ingredients for Traditional Cinnamon Rolls

All-purpose flour is the foundation of our dough, providing structure and chewiness. Granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the dough itself, ensuring it's not too bland. Salt highlights the flavors, bringing everything together. Active dry yeast is our leavening agent, making the rolls rise beautifully.

Milk not only adds moisture but also enriches the dough, resulting in a tender crumb. Unsalted butter, used both in the dough and the filling, contributes to richness and flavor. Eggs add structure and help with the dough's elasticity.

Brown sugar in the filling adds depth with its molasses notes, while ground cinnamon provides the signature warmth and spice. Powdered sugar is the base for our simple icing, which is flavored with vanilla extract and thinned with a bit of milk.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turned off) to speed up the process.
  • For evenly sized rolls, use dental floss to slice the dough.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them soft.
  • Freeze unbaked rolls to have fresh cinnamon rolls on demand. Just thaw and bake as needed.

Serving Suggestions

These cinnamon rolls are best served warm, straight out of the oven. Pair them with a side of fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness, or enjoy them as a decadent brunch centerpiece with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast directly, but you can skip the step of dissolving it in milk.
How do I store leftover rolls?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?
Absolutely! Let it complete the first rise, then refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling out.

Traditional Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Walkthrough

Start by mixing your dry ingredients: the flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Next, warm the milk to about 110°F and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let this sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy; this means the yeast is activated and ready to work its magic.

Combine the frothy yeast mixture with the dry ingredients, then add in the softened butter and eggs. Mix until a dough forms. Now, it's time to knead. Work the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until it's smooth and elastic. Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about an hour or until it's doubled in size.

Once risen, roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Brush it generously with melted butter, then sprinkle it evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll it up tightly from one long end and slice it into 12 pieces.

Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one. Cover the dish and let them rise again until they've doubled, which should take about 30 minutes. While they're rising, preheat your oven to 350°F. Once ready, bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they're golden brown and your kitchen smells heavenly.

While the rolls are baking, whip up a quick icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle this over the warm rolls once they're out of the oven. Enjoy them warm for the best experience.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
  • Perfectly balanced sweetness without being cloying.
  • Deliciously soft and fluffy texture.
  • Easy to make ahead and freeze for later.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl.
2. Warm milk to 110°F and dissolve yeast in it; allow to sit until frothy.
3. Add yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients; mix into a dough.
4. Knead dough for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Roll dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
7. Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 12 rolls.
8. Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
10. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make icing; drizzle over warm rolls.

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