Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: Soft, Gooey & Irresistibly Homemade
There’s just something magical about waking up to the warm, sweet aroma of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. The soft dough, buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, and creamy glaze come together to create a breakfast that feels like a cozy hug in every bite. It’s the kind of treat that makes everyone gather around the table — and maybe even sneak seconds while they’re still warm.
I’ve always believed that baking should be simple, joyful, and a little indulgent. That’s why this easy step-by-step recipe is perfect even if you’re not an expert baker. You’ll only need basic pantry ingredients and a little patience while your dough rises. The reward? Perfectly soft, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls that taste better than any bakery version.
So grab your rolling pin, preheat the oven, and let’s make a batch of these irresistible cinnamon rolls together — your kitchen’s about to smell absolutely heavenly.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with how soft, gooey, and buttery these cinnamon rolls turn out. They’re made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen — flour, butter, sugar, and a touch of cinnamon magic. Every bite melts in your mouth, with that perfect balance of sweetness and warmth that makes it impossible to eat just one.
What makes this recipe even better is how foolproof it is. Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend breakfast, a family brunch, or a special holiday morning, these homemade sweet rolls come out perfect every single time. One pan, one amazing smell, and a whole lot of smiles — that’s my kind of baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making the best cinnamon rolls doesn’t require anything fancy — just a few simple pantry staples and a sprinkle of love. Here’s everything you’ll need to create soft, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth perfection:
For the Dough:
- 440 g (3 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 240 ml (1 cup) warm milk
- 7 g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
- 75 g (⅓ cup) melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 g (½ tsp) salt
For the Filling:
- 150 g (¾ cup) brown sugar
- 15 g (2 tbsp) ground cinnamon
- 75 g (⅓ cup) softened butter
For the Glaze:
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 60 g (2 oz) cream cheese
- 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
- 30–45 ml (2–3 tbsp) milk
Tip: Make sure your milk is warm — not hot — and your butter is nice and soft. That’s the secret to pillowy, bakery-style rolls every single time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make soft, gooey cinnamon rolls that taste like they came straight from your favorite bakery.
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy — that’s how you know the yeast is alive and ready. Add melted butter, eggs, and salt. Slowly mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic. If it’s a little sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling
While the dough rises, mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside the softened butter — this will help the filling stick to the dough and melt into those irresistible swirls later.
3. Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle about 1.5 cm (½ inch) thick. Spread the butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture from edge to edge. Roll it up tightly, starting from the long side, and pinch the seam closed.
Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut even slices, about 4–5 cm (1½–2 inches) each. Place them in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll to expand.
4. Let Rise Again & Bake
Cover the dish and let the rolls rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and your kitchen smells amazing.
5. Make the Glaze
While the rolls cool slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Spread the glaze over the warm rolls and let it melt into every swirl.
Enjoy your freshly baked homemade cinnamon rolls warm — soft, gooey, and absolutely heavenly.
Tips for Perfect Soft & Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
- Use warm milk, not hot.
Too hot and it’ll kill the yeast; too cold and it won’t rise. Aim for a gentle warmth — like baby bath water. - Let the dough rise fully.
Don’t rush it! The longer rest gives your cinnamon rolls that pillowy, bakery-style softness. - Don’t over-knead.
Once the dough feels smooth and elastic, stop. Overworking it can make your rolls dense instead of fluffy. - Brush with butter before baking.
A light layer of melted butter helps achieve that gorgeous golden top. - Glaze while warm.
Spread the frosting while the rolls are still slightly warm — it melts into every swirl for that classic gooey texture.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Cool completely before storing.
Let your cinnamon rolls cool to room temperature before packing them away to keep them soft and fresh. - Use an airtight container.
Store the rolls in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them moist and prevents the glaze from drying out. - Reheat gently.
Warm a roll in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 5 minutes — just until soft again. - Freeze for later.
Freeze unbaked or baked rolls for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm before serving.
Nutrition Information
(Per serving — based on 12 rolls)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 22 g
- Calcium: 45 mg
- Iron: 2 mg
Note: Nutrition values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients used and the size of your rolls. These cinnamon rolls are meant to be enjoyed as an occasional sweet treat — soft, gooey, and worth every bite!
More Sweet Recipes to Try
If you loved these soft and gooey cinnamon rolls, here are a few other homemade treats you’ll want to bake next:
- Chocolate Cream Pie — A creamy, rich dessert that comes together in minutes without even turning on the oven.
- Blueberry Pie Bombs — Flaky, golden mini desserts bursting with juicy blueberry filling.
- Cream Cheese Brownies — The perfect mix of rich chocolate and tangy cream cheese in every bite.
- Caramel Slice Recipe — Layers of biscuit base, gooey caramel, and glossy chocolate on top.
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars — Sweet, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness that takes only minutes to make.
Each of these recipes pairs perfectly with coffee, a cozy afternoon, or your next weekend bake-fest. Don’t forget to bookmark your favorites — your kitchen adventures deserve all the sweetness they can get!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the fridge. In the morning, just roll, slice, and bake — perfect for fresh cinnamon rolls at breakfast.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely. Just dissolve active dry yeast in warm milk and sugar first, then let it sit until foamy before mixing it into the dough.
How do I keep the rolls soft after baking?
Don’t overbake! Remove them when they’re golden and still slightly soft in the center. A light brush of butter right after baking also helps keep them moist.
Can I make vegan or dairy-free rolls?
Yes, just use plant-based butter, dairy-free milk, and skip the cream cheese in the glaze — they’ll still taste amazing and just as fluffy.
What’s the best way to store leftover sweet rolls?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat before serving for that fresh-baked feel.
Recipe
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 440 g (3 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 240 ml (1 cup) warm milk
- 7 g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
- 75 g (⅓ cup) melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 g (½ tsp) salt
For the Filling
- 150 g (¾ cup) brown sugar
- 15 g (2 tbsp) ground cinnamon
- 75 g (⅓ cup) softened butter
For the Glaze
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 60 g (2 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
- 30–45 ml (2–3 tbsp) milk
Instructions
- Whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
- Roll out dough into a 30×40 cm (12×16 in) rectangle.
- Spread softened butter evenly over the surface.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture across the dough.
- Roll tightly from the long edge and pinch the seam closed.
- Slice into 12 even pieces and arrange in a greased baking pan.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
- Bake 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Whisk powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Spread glaze over warm cinnamon rolls so it melts into every swirl.
- Serve warm and enjoy your homemade sweet rolls!
Notes
- Use warm (not hot) milk to activate yeast.
- For overnight rolls, refrigerate dough after shaping and bake the next morning.
- Add extra butter in the filling for richer, gooier homemade cinnamon rolls.
- These rolls freeze beautifully — thaw overnight and warm before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 rollAmount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 6g
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
And that’s it — soft, sweet, gooey perfection straight from your oven! Making cinnamon rolls from scratch isn’t just about baking; it’s about creating little moments of joy in your kitchen. The smell alone is enough to make everyone wander in, waiting for that first warm bite.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it feels once you’ve done it once — you’ll wonder why you ever bought them from a bakery. So next weekend, roll up your sleeves, grab your butter and cinnamon, and treat yourself to a batch of these homemade beauties.
If you try this recipe, share your results in the comments or tag me on social media — I’d love to see your delicious homemade cinnamon rolls! 💖
