This recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls produces perfect pillowy soft cinnamon buns consistently. This recipe has a rise time of 2 hours and a total of 4 foldings (video guidance below!). Allowing the dough to rest overnight in the fridge yields the best results and makes this recipe convenient for a morning bake! These cinnamon rolls are 100% worth the effort. The cinnamon rolls will emerge from the oven gooey, pillowy soft and perfect.
I like my cinnamon rolls super soft and gooey, so I put a thin layer of the icing over them while they are still warm. The icing melts into the just baked rolls, eliminating any hard corners or edges.
If you prefer a little crispy crunch to your cinnamon rolls, you can wait until they have cooled and then top them with all the icing. Or you could make this cinnamon buns recipe that has a cinnamon sugar dusting instead of icing!
And I now have a MINI CINNAMON ROLL recipe that makes 36 perfect little buns, generously finished with cream cheese icing! They are soft and gooey just like these.
Tips for Making the Best Cinnamon Rolls:
1. What if I don’t have instant yeast? You can still use active yeast. Active dry yeast is a little different than instant in that it used to be made with larger granules and needed to be dissolved first. However, most yeast made today has similar sized granulates, so you can skip this step.
It should be fine to use the active yeast in the recipe as written. If you are worried about it, you could dissolve the yeast in the warm milk instead of adding it to the flour mixture. Red Star Yeast has a great FAQ page troubleshooting yeast here. You can read more about the difference in yeast here.
2. Is the dough supposed to be this sticky after mixing? YES! It is. The directions call for it to be chilled after mixing, which will help with the rolling out process. If you don’t chill the dough, it will be hard to roll out.
3. What if I don’t have all-purpose flour? Bread flour is a fine substitution, but the texture will be slightly different, and not as fluffy.
*Caution, whole wheat flour will make the rolls more dense, and you may need to add more liquid to the dough.
4. Can I add more cinnamon flavor? Of course! I sometimes use 3/4 cup brown sugar and 4 teaspoons cinnamon for the filling.
5. Can I shape the buns and let them rise overnight in the fridge? Yes! There are directions below on how to do so (this step still requires that the dough be chilled first before rolling).
6. Can I freeze the baked buns?
If you want to bake the buns and freeze them, you can. Once cooled, wrap them in plastic, and then place them in a freezer bag for up to 2 weeks.
When ready to eat, thaw, warm, and then coat with icing. They may not be as soft and tender as fresh-baked buns.
7. Can I substitute something else for the honey? I honestly haven’t tried it, and the ratios may have to be adjusted somewhat when changing out sugar-y liquids. Or try maple syrup instead. Here’s how to substitute other liquids.
8. Can I use other egg sizes beside large? Yes. Check out this egg size conversion chart for replacing egg sizes.
9. Why do I knead the dough straight from the fridge and then let it rest again? Kneading the dough a few times (10 to 12, as indicated in the recipe) helps wake the gluten up.
There is a lot of butter in this dough which can get in the way, so sometimes it needs a little help. Then covering it and letting it rest for 20 minutes before rolling it will help the gluten relax so it is easier to roll.
My Cinnamon Rolls recipe was featured on The Kitchn, and the Pancake Princess declared it the winner of her Cinnamon Roll Bake Off! I created this recipe for my first cookbook, The Vanilla Bean Baking Book. In my 4th cookbook, 100 Morning Treats, I published a new recipe; Soft Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing.
How to Fold Cinnamon Roll Dough
I’ve included a video below of the folding process, which shows how to do it. This little extra step is the secret to the pillowy soft texture of the rolls!
Why do I fold the dough? Folding the dough helps improve the dough’s structure, ensures gluten will form, and makes it easier to handle.
More Cinnamon Roll Recipes:
Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk (100 to 110F [35 to 42C])
- 1/4 cup [85 g] honey
- 4 cups [568 g] all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 10 tablespoons [1 1/4 sticks or 142 g] unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1 in [2.5 cm] pieces
Filling
- 1/2 cup [100 g] packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons [29 g] unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Frosting
- 8 tablespoons [1 stick or 113 g] unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces [114 g] cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup [120 g] confectioners' sugar
Equipment
- 9 by 13 in [23 by 33 cm] Baking Pan
Instructions
For the dough
- Grease a large bowl.
- In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the eggs, milk, and honey.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, mix the flour, yeast, and salt and stir on low to combine. Add the egg mixture and mix on low to combine. With the mixer on low, add the butter, one piece at a time. When all the butter has been added, increase the speed to medium and beat the butter into the dough, until all the little butter pieces are incorporated, 1 minute. Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl. The dough will be very sticky and you will need a spatula to scrape the dough into the bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes. Place your fingers or a spatula underneath the dough and gently pull the dough up and fold it back over itself. Turn the bowl and repeat this folding again. Continue 6 to 8 more times, until all the dough has been folded over on itself. Re-cover the bowl with plastic and let rise for 30 minutes. Repeat this series of folding 3 more times, for a rise time of 2 hours and a total of 4 foldings (see the GIF above on how to do this folding). Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 72 hours.
To Assemble
- Flour a work surface and knead the cold Sweet Dough 10 to 12 times (see troubleshooting above for why). Shape the dough into a ball, cover the top lightly with flour, and cover with a tea towel and let come to room temperature.
- Grease a 9 by 13 in [23 by 33 cm] pan; if desired, line with parchment paper (this makes for easier cleanup).
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Roll the dough into a 16 by 12 in [30.5 by 40.5 cm] rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top, pressing it lightly into the butter so it adheres. Starting at a long side, roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam gently to seal it and position the dough seam side down. Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. Transfer the pieces to the prepared pan and place them cut side up. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350F [180C]. Remove the plastic and bake 27 to 32 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the rolls are golden brown. While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Using an offset spatula or table knife, apply a thin layer of the cream cheese icing, using about one-third of the mixture. Let the rolls cool for another 15 to 20 minutes. Top with the rest of the icing and serve.
For the icing
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and salt and mix on low to combine. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix on low until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on medium until the icing is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
**For overnight cinnamon rolls
- Prepare the rolls (roll out dough, fill them, roll them up, cut them, and put them in the prepared pan, but do not let rise for 1 1/2 hours as stated above) then cover them loosely with plastic and refrigerate for up to 18 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven, and let the rolls sit at room temperature (still covered in plastic) for 30-45 minutes. Bake as directed (they make take slightly longer to bake).
467 Comments
Birdie
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:12 amI’m always searching for the elusive Best cinnamon rolls…well, Look no further…
These are delicious…my fav recipe so far!! I think I will stop with this one, as none will compare!!!
Sherrie
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 4:06 pmLove these rolls. Have a question, when using the overnight, does it actually take 2 overnights? Do you shape the rolls after you have the dough in the fridge overnight, then put them in the fridge again and make them the next morning. I apologize for the confusion in my understanding. Thank you so much!!!
Claire
Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 4:33 pmI live in a high altitude area. Do you have any recommendations for adjusting the recipe to make sure the dough rises properly and doesn’t turn out dry?
Gillian
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 1:51 pmThis dough is the best I’ve ever made! But I would add more butter, sugar and cinnamon for the filling and also include some in the bottom of the pan to make more of a sticky bun as I thought they were lacking a bit. Definitely worth the extra steps! Will be making them again!
Vivian
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 12:42 pmThe best of the best! I love the filling and think that 1 1/2 times the cinnamon filling is good, and in return, I don’t use as much frosting, but my family and friends always add extra frosting back on!
Stefanie
Friday, February 18, 2022 at 4:43 pmCan I make these a pecan sticky buns? If so, would that affect bake time? Thank you!
Sarah Kieffer
Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 10:28 amHere’s my caramel roll recipe!
Stefanie
Friday, February 18, 2022 at 3:01 pmI see several options for leaving the dough in the fridge up to 3 days etc…
If I want to bake these off on a Monday morning to bring to work, does it make a difference if I start the process on Saturday or Sunday? Does it make a difference if I leave the intact ball of dough to rise in the fridge for a day or 2, or if I actually cut and assemble them and leave the prepared buns in the fridge a couple days prior to baking? What’s the best schedule? (Ideally prefer to do the work Saturday morning or Sunday morning if necessary, but I don’t want to compromise texture or flavor.)
Editha Becker
Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 6:57 pmQuestion on the weight of the flour of 568g. King Arthur site has one cup weighing at 120g, so at 4 cups in the recipe, it would only be 480g. At 568g it would be more like 4 3/4 cups. Is the weight based on the dip and scoop method or the spoon and sprinkle method? Anyway, I used 568 grams as I generally prefer to weigh my dry ingredients. Hopefully, I didn’t end up using too much flour. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sarah Kieffer
Friday, January 28, 2022 at 7:07 pmHi! The weight in grams here is correct. When I scoop, my cup weighs more than King Arthur’s .
Meg
Monday, January 24, 2022 at 4:59 amI love this recipe for whatever reason this website was down for a couple days and I was devastated that I would have to find a different recipe but I checked today and it was back! So I impulsively sent my boyfriend to the store at 10:30 pm for whole milk so I could get baking! I followed the dough recipe with a few creative liberties (vanilla and cinnamon add to the dough) and after the 4th dough fold I let it chill for about 40 min while I did homework (it was like 1:45am by this point and I decided I didn’t want to get up early before class) so I went ahead a rolled them. At this point I was also to lazy to pull my phone back out so I guessed with my filling and doubled it and used half light and half dark brown sugar. They are now resting in the fridge over night all ready to go for the morning. I tossed my scraps in the toaster oven and even without letting them rise it was still a delicious 2:30am snack!
Nath
Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 9:28 amFYI I have frozen this with great success after rolling and cutting and placing in a pan. I also find that a higher gluten flour produces a lovely brioche like texture. The best cinnamon rolls I have ever baked!
Sherrie
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 6:36 pmI have made these rolls as directed and they are awesome. I would like to make them according to the directions for the overnight rolls, however I am hesitant as I have make different cinnamon roll recipes in the past, and whenever I have used the overnight recipe, they are much denser than the original recipe. Do you know if I might find a difference in texture if I use the overnight roll instructions. Thank you!
Sarah Kieffer
Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 6:15 pmI often make them the night before and then bake the following morning. I let them sit out until they are room temperature and then bake; I find that helps with the texture. They can turn out slightly denser, but the ease of making them the night before outweighs this for me. 🙂 I hope this helps!
Rachel
Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 4:18 pmI’ve made these enough that I feel like I have to leave a review. These. Are. The. Best.
For real! This is the first recipe I ever tried that used yeast or had any sort of kneading. I was so sure I would mess it up and that my mom would be annoyed that I wasted so much butter, haha. Instead, I found them very easy and have made them many times since!
The dough has always ended up the right consistency for me. Mix the egg mixture well before pouring in. I have also made this dough without a mixer at all! We had no mixer in my college housing and I simply folded everything together with a spatula and then used my (clean) hands to squish and incorporate the butter cubes. It was very sticky, but the end result didn’t taste any different, so, college-student approved!
I also double the filling, and mix the melted butter and cinnamon and brown sugar and salt together. I find the crumb mixture this makes easier to press onto the dough. The doubled filling spills out a little when it is baked, but this just results in plenty of filling in the middle and some baked, almost caramelized pieces on top and sides. My dad really likes these.
My brother doesn’t like cream cheese icing and I am a little too lazy to put in the work to make a good cream cheese icing every time I make these, so I usually just make a simply copycat Pillsbury glaze. Still delicious! I like the idea of putting some cardamom in and might try that next time. Also will confirm that using regular yeast works just fine.
Thanks for such a great recipe that I’ve been able to make in many environments for many people that have specific tastes! Easy to adjust for what everyone likes, and everyone always thinks they are great, including me!!
Patricia
Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 2:52 pmThe dough was tender and delicious, i thought it was a bit too much dough for filling ratio though, mine seemed a little dry. Might try one and a half of the brown sugar butter filling next time. That would make it a 5 star in my book Ty for the recipe
K
Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 3:57 pmSave yourself the trouble of looking at any other cinnamon roll recipe! THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY RECIPE YOU NEED! These cinnamon rolls are perfection! Easy to make, directions are clear, and you will be rewarded with cinnamon rolls that dreams are made of!
Danelle Williams
Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 3:46 pmThese cinnamon rolls are heaven! The dough is easy and perfect. Can’t wait to make them again and experiment with different filling flavors.
Lynne B
Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 1:56 amI made two batches of this recipe. One I adjusted ( as best as I could figure based on my research) to use the tangzhong method). It was very liquidy, almost batter-like. So I made a second batch and followed the instructions exactly. Less liquidy than batch 1 but still more liquidy than shown in the above video. I left both doughs in the fridge for two days. They were both considerably more dough-like. But as I rolled them out, they became very sticky. The tangzhong batch rose much more in the second prove and then more in the oven. In the end, they both tasted delicious but was wondering if anyone who had experienced the very wet dough ever found out why it was so wet.
Courtney
Saturday, December 25, 2021 at 12:12 pmEasy and light and fluffy, but take a long time with the folding and rising so read the full directions and plan ahead. I would probably add something extra to the dough or the filling. They were good, but a little lacking in the flavor department. Not to sweet though, which is so refreshing! Overall an awesome recipe and will definitely keep it in my arsenal!
Joyce Perkins
Friday, December 24, 2021 at 3:43 pmThese are beyond a shadow of a doubt the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever eaten. I have made probably about six different recipes and these are the best. This one is unique because of the way all the ingredients come together. Folding the dough, along with a slow overnight rise creates such a beautiful dough. The dough rolled out easily after it warmed up. These cinnamon rolls were light and pillowy as advertised, and the frosting delicious. I’m glad my quest for the perfect cinnamon roll is finally over! Thank you!
Sarah Kieffer
Friday, December 24, 2021 at 5:03 pmso glad you liked them!
Mallory
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 6:56 pmThese are no joke. Hands down best cinnamon bun recipe so far. I made these dairy free by substituting with almond milk and Earth Balance butter. So pillowy, good rise, fun to make, delicious. Received many compliments on these. Everyone enjoyed. Will hands down make again.
Crystal
Friday, October 29, 2021 at 12:01 pmI accidentally put the dough in the fridge to rest and folded every half hour. Can i leave them out now and fix it or is it a total loss?
Heather
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 9:38 pmThese rolls are the absolute best– not only do they make you feel like a bad a$$ in the kitchen, but they are still relatively easy (though time consuming) and turn out great every.time. My husband requests these for every occasion and holiday and they are a staple in our house.
Kristiina Orgusaar
Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 9:42 pmFirst cinnamon rolls that actually turned out good! Definitely gonna make again.
maria
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 9:10 amHello,
If i am doubling the recipe for your delicious cinnamon rolls -do I also double the yeast???
maria brugnoli
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 9:08 amHello,
If i am doubling the recipe for your delicious cinnamon rolls -do I also double the yeast???
Tara
Friday, July 2, 2021 at 3:18 pmHi! I’m wondering if when you make your recipe if you you go by volume or weight for your flour?
Revy
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 12:05 pmI have tried several cinnamon roll recipes and yours is the best. they turn magical. all my friends and family love it.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Amanda Cook
Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 3:08 pmGreat recipe! Made them several times. Can you freeze the dough after the double rise and then bake in the oven with a little extra time? I saw you can freeze after the bake just wondering if I could do before. Thanks!
Kalyn
Monday, May 31, 2021 at 9:22 pmJust made these for the first time and it was SO WORTH the effort. I was a little nervous about the dough when I finished the 2 hours of folding/rising because it was quite sticky when I working with it…but getting it out of the fridge the next morning—total dream. The dough was smooth and easy to work with, and rolled up so easily, I felt as if I’ve made these cinnamon rolls a million times. Very very very good. Thank you Sarah for all the amazing recipes in this book that have brought a lot of joy to my home baker’s heart (and a lot of delicious baking for my family to enjoy) !!
Mary
Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 7:08 pmThe GREATEST cinnamon rolls! So soft and pillowy, excellent cinnamon flavour, and lots of cream cheese icing (love the trick of adding a bit on right after they come out of the oven and the rest later). Absolutely delicious!!
Katherine
Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 7:46 amI am sensitive to dairy, butter specifically. Do you have any experience using a plant based butter with the recipe? Any recommendations? Thank you!
Annie
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 9:16 pmWe have a dairy allergy in our house. Made these for Christmas with oat milk and Earth Balance unsalted plant butter. They turned out amazing!!!
Susan Bruner
Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:26 amWhere is the print link for your recipe? I’m not seeing it, thank you!
Ollie
Friday, February 12, 2021 at 9:13 pmIs this calling for 2 packets of 1/4oz instant yeast (total 1/2oz) or 2.5oz of instant yeast?
Paul Schafer
Friday, May 21, 2021 at 5:26 pmIt’s a packet of instant yeast which is 2 1/4 teaspoons. Please do not put that many ounces of yeast in it, it’s gonna rise to the ceiling ?
Shawna
Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 11:39 amI’ve mad this too many times to count since Christmas and it’s amazing each time! I’ve added a little orange zest to my cinnamon sugar mix and it just makes the flavor really pop!! Thank you for this!
Alison
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 12:48 pmOh man… these were SO pillowy soft and perfect. I was a little worried when I rolled them out because they were very difficult to roll – it seemed like maybe I had kneaded too much and developed too much gluten, because they sprang back very stubbornly and I could really only manage an oblong, not a rectangle. I was concerned they might be tough because of that, but I was so wrong – the texture was amazing. Definitely the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever made. I prefer a bit more filling and a cream cheese-ier frosting, and luckily those are much easier to adjust to my individual preference, but I’ll be sticking exactly to this dough recipe because it’s magical.
Jean
Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 7:35 pmI made these, for the first time, last Thursday and swore I wouldn’t make them again because of the difficulty in slicing the log into individual rolls (I used a very sharp serrated knife). But then I tried the baked rolls…..and they were pretty delicious. So, I made the dough again yesterday and tried refrigerating the “log” before cutting it into individual rolls, but still had the same problem. I tried a serrated knife, dental floss and a very sharp chef’s knife. I don’t mind the multiple folds, the overnight refrigeration, etc., but cutting the log into individual rolls has been very frustrating. Any suggestions?
Christine
Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 12:40 pmTry cutting them with un-flavored dental floss.
Simply slip the floss under the roll, pull up on each side and cross over on the top to cut the dough.
Christine
Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 12:42 pmApologies. Please ignore my previous comment, I just noticed that you already tried dental floss.
Dana Seymour
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 11:22 amDon’t roll it into a log. Just spread the filling onto the dough and then cut long strips and roll up each individual strip into a spiral. I’ve been doing it for years. Works so much easier.
Robyn
Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 8:04 amI always use a very sharp mezzaluna knife (rolling knife) which is sometimes used to chop herbs and the combo of rocking back and forth with the sharp blade works well for me.
ishika
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 1:55 pmNot everyone is able to write a beautiful post, a good and intelligent person is able to write a beautiful post, it is not that everyone writes better, to write a better post, the mind should also be clear and you have posted a lot. Beautiful, I think your mind will also be very clear. I too constantly try to write a better post in my life and I am very inspired to see your post.
Christina
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 7:42 amThis recipe was wonderful and my family and I LOVED them! I even managed to mess a few things up (like doubling the butter in the dough ? whoops) and they STILL turned out amazing. Thank you, and Happy New Year!!
Rachel
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 12:45 pmSuper super delicious! I made these dairy-free with oat milk and Miyoko’s vegan butter (unsalted) and they turned out fantastically well. (I also subbed out the cream cheese in the frosting.) I have tested a number of different cinnamon roll recipes and these do require a few more steps with the repeated folds, but it was easy to do and I could clearly see the results in the structure of the dough once I had shaped the rolls. Everyone in the pod agreed these were the best rolls out there 🙂
Anita Sharma
Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 8:41 amThese were sooo good, I increased the recipe by half so i could give some to my neighbours as a Christmas gift. Yummy…
Camille
Friday, December 25, 2020 at 5:41 pmI made these yesterday/this morning and they were phenomenal. 10/10. You are one of my all-time favorite bakers and every one of your recipes has worked like a charm. I’ve slowly but surely been baking my way through your cookbooks. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Lisa
Friday, December 25, 2020 at 2:29 pmI have never made cinnamon rolls from scratch though we eat them every Christmas Day. I’m so happy I decided to give this recipe a try. They are amazing! My husband doesn’t love cinnamon rolls but he declared these the best he’s ever tasted. I have to agree.
I made the dough Christmas Eve morning and chilled it all day instead of overnight. Then I assembled the rolls and let rise overnight in the refrigerator per the instructions. I didn’t have any trouble rolling the dough without the overnight chill. I let them come to room temperature for 45 minutes before I baked them and did the double icing application as described (definitely worth doing). I did add extra filing (3/4 cup brown sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of cinnamon) but otherwise followed the instructions. Delicious! Thank you for the great recipe and the very specific instructions. I will be making these every Christmas!
Jenna
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:50 amHi
When you made the extra filling did you use extra butter?
Thank you
Cora
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 2:23 pmMy understanding is you wouldn’t need to double the butter- the butter is brushed onto the dough and the filling goes on top of the butter. Since you don’t incorporate the butter into the filling, I don’t think you need to double the 2T butter.
Julie
Friday, December 25, 2020 at 10:09 amI have made cinnamon rolls for Christmas every year for at least a decade. I thought they were really good. I WAS WRONG. these are a bit more work, but goodness it is worth it. Thank you for this! I wouldn’t change a single thing. Perfect!!
Arwa Al-Salam
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 5:03 pmHello, I’m trying your recipe for the first time, I can’t wait to bake these. The dough has been in the fridge for about 24 hours and I’m planning to bake them tomorrow. I noticed the dough is very very dry and has formed a skin, I’ve never had this happen with overnight dough before, the bowl is wrapped really tight so not sure what might have happened. Can you kindly advise? Thanks so much!
Kathy
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 1:21 pmI have rolled out the dough, put the filling on, cut them, and placed it in the pan. Can I leave this in the fridge for 2-3 days now (It’s the 23rd and I want to bake them in the morning of the 26th)? Or, should I let them rise in the fridge overnight and freeze them for a day?
Amy
Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 10:00 pmKathy, What did you end up doing? I have this same question and I’m wondering if freezing them after their second rise (as rolls) before baking will still lead to the soft pillowy cinnamons rolls I’m accustomed to from this recipe. Thanks for your advice! -Amy
Shana
Friday, December 18, 2020 at 3:30 pmI accidentally kneaded the dough before putting in the fridge…not realizing that is to be done when it comes out. Should I knead it again when I get it out of the fridge? Or just roll them out and cut? Excited to try these. I make hundreds of the Pioneer Woman’s maple cinnamon rolls every year for almost 10 years and thought I’d give yours a go. My family are eager taste testers. Thanks for any feedback.
Joanie
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 5:22 pmNeed advice – after refrigerating the dough overnight, the dough is very stiff and I’m having trouble rolling it out to the 12 by 26 rectangle. The dough keeps pulling back. Is it supposed to be difficult to roll out?
Thanks!
April
Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 3:52 pmHi Sarah!
I’ve not seen anyone ask yet, and was just wondering if the frosting could be made a day in advance, just to make Christmas morning easier. Do you think this would still work?
Susan Dubose
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 8:13 pmThese are fabulous! I used almond milk instead of cow milk, rolled the dough out a bit bigger but still delicious. Thank you for your sharing!
Karlee Filiere
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 1:06 pmHello!
I just made the dough for these and sticky is not a word I would use to describe it. It came right out of the bowl of the stand mixer and formed a ball no problem. Wondering what I did wrong! And if youve had this happen before, will I yield a similar result to your recipe?
Thanks so much
Richard Tunner
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 9:56 pmEasy and a big hit with my family, I love them, thank you so much! I come up with the idea for my Christmas Holiday.
Pam
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:33 pmAfter the 4 foldings and 2-hour rise, do I need to refrigerate the dough overnight or can I immediately start kneading it and shaping it into a ball?
Anita Charlton
Monday, November 30, 2020 at 9:09 pmOk!!!!! I’ve never made any kind of bread before, ever! I have been mustering up the courage to make cinnamon rolls. As I researched, your recipe came to be #1 to go for it… I have made my dough, flipped it and flipped it by the 3rd flip i felt like a pro. To see it rise for me gave much satisfaction!!! I will either make them tomorrow or the next night. I hope I did everything right. I flipped them and then covered and put it in the fridge. I hope thats correct. When I bring it back out, I shape it, fill it, cut them and put them back in the fridge to rise once more. Then bring it out and get to room temp and bake. I hope i understood that to be the process.. I plan on making your icing and then adding orange peel to icing with a second batch… I’m so very excited…. thank you for all your yumminess!!!!
Rachel
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:35 amI found this recipe last year from the Kitchn recipe taste off so I knew I needed to make this for my annual Thanksgiving cinnamon rolls. This recipe lives up to the hype. The roll itself has amazing texture and the icing is other-worldly. This recipe has a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. This is my new go-to cinnamon roll recipe and will be one of the top ten recipes I make in 2020. If you’re considering this recipe, make it. You will not be disappointed.
Hannah
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 10:57 pmMade these last year and had them frequently requested to bring back for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sylvia
Monday, November 23, 2020 at 2:21 pmI made these for Thanksgiving in three days. Do I have to freeze them until then, or can I leave them in the fridge and bring to room temperature and allow them to rise before I bake in three days.
Asha
Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 2:40 pmHi, is it possible to freeze the cut rolls before baking (before or after the last rise in the fridge) to bake later? If so, what would the baking instructions be? Thanks!
Michele Mellott
Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 11:07 amI made 2 dozen of these a week ago and they turned out absolutely amazing! I do a lot of baking with my 13.25″ Lodge cast iron skillet. Would it be possible to use this as a vessel for my next batch of cinnamon rolls?
Bernie
Monday, October 26, 2020 at 4:54 amHey so I’m stuck at home for now and only have self-rising flour on hand. Is it possible to use that instead of all-purpose flour?
Sydney
Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 9:18 pmFinished making these today (sans stand mixer, it’s possible!) and I have to say these rival cinnabons to me, possibly better! One thing to note, I went ahead and doubled the filling recipe from the start and they came out perfect to me, if I did the filling as recommended, I don’t think they’d be as great, but still good. I also only cut them into 8, not 12 which are pretty large, but more of the size of an ideal treat worthy bun. Overall great recipe, 15/10 recommend
jeremy brumley
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 9:45 pmI followed the recipe exactly. The dough rose beautifully! After baking they seemed to me to be a little too yeasty. Not sweet enough IMO. tasted more like a dinner roll, i don’t know if maybe there was not enough filling. I did add a full packet of yeast, i measured it and it was a little more than the 2 1/4 tsp. Any suggestions?
Michelle
Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 4:00 pmWhat is your preference, light or dark brown sugar, when making the filling?
Rjys
Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 12:20 amCan i make the dough in a food processor? I’ve read elsewhere that you can make dough using the metal blade extension in a good processor but that it will make the dough warmer. Do you have any suggestions about how that would alter your recipe? TIA!
Honeybee
Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 8:20 pmOh My. These cinnamon rolls are the best! Look no further this is the recipe you have been looking for. Drop the mic.
Charlie
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 2:51 amMade these first by mixing active yeast straight into the flour. Unfort, the yeast didn’t dissolve at all after mixing, so there were crunchy little bits of yeast everywhere. Nixed that, and made a second batch, by mixing the active yeast first into the warm milk and these turned out great!?
Only adjustment would be to add more cinnamon next time, as I found them not to be a little light.
Other than that, super soft and delicious and not overly sweet!
Melissa
Friday, September 4, 2020 at 8:14 amDo you have any adjustments for high altitude cooking? (Over 9,000 feet)
Melanie
Monday, August 17, 2020 at 10:53 amThese rolls were so yummy. I was a little worried that the filling wouldn’t be enough for the fluffy dough, but it worked out just fine. In the past I’ve had the filling drain out of the dough and coat the bottom of the pan. I used agave syrup and dry activated yeast with no issues. I used slightly less sugar than called for in the icing and also had some leftover.
Phxcooks
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:12 pmCinnamon Rolls recipe is great! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you
Jeanette
Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 9:59 pmJust tried this recipe for my weekend baking “project”. It’s wonderful! Absolutely my go-to cinnamon roll recipe from now on. The bread is fluffy, and the mix of cinnamon and brown sugar is just nice to my taste. I will say, for those worried about handing the super sticky dough when folding, make sure your hands are wet before handing. Also, for those of you who may be trying this for the first time, I rolled my dough to a thickness of 6 mm before rolling, and that was a bit too much dough in the final product. Next time, I’ll bring it down to a thickness of about 3 mm as I like more filling with each bite. I also let the roll rest for about 10 min before cutting (with floss). Enjoy…. this takes “time” but seriously, the actual time required (apart from rests when you have other things in your life) isn’t that much.
Sara
Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 1:36 pmI used coconut sugar for the filling and monk fruit sugar in the icing instead of regular sugar. It’s my first time making cinnamon rolls and it turned out perfect. My husband LOVE it !!!
Becky
Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 10:50 amHi Sarah, would it be okay to rolled out before the dough come to room temperature after the overnight refrigeration. I found it very difficult to roll after it came to room temperature and I wouldn’t get a good swirl. Thanks.
Britney
Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 11:12 amI’ve made this recipe two times now and its amazing! The crumb and texture of the dough is just perfect and it’s not too sweet at all, Advice to people who plan on making this: If you’re using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the milk before adding the other wet ingredients. The first time around, I didn’t dissolve my active dry yeast (red star brand) and although the dough proofed very well, the final product had tiny crunchy bits of yeast (which were visible during the proofing process but I falsely hoped they would dissolve overnight). The second time I dissolved my yeast (which requires no extra effort) and had no issues. Also the full 2 tsp of salt pushes the boundary between too salty and well flavoured in my opinion. I would decrease it by 1/4 tsp if you’re not a fan of salt.
Priscilla
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 4:15 pmHi, I did this recipe and the taste is incredible! I follow every step (I made it 48hours and bake it today). but my cinnabuns didn’t come as fluffy as the pictures, the dough came more like a pie crust. I don’t know if I need to adjust the instant yeast because I live in a high altitude place or is it because I added the yeast to the warm milk, and then separately with the eggs already beaten with the honey, I temper them together because I was scared the eggs would get scramble, omg but well for being my first time trying to make them I’m surprised of my efforts.
Debbie
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 7:43 amPriscilla, it sounds like you killed your yeast. If the milk is warm enough that you’re worried it will scramble the eggs, then it is much too hot for the yeast. The ideal temperature for proofing (or just dissolving) yeast is usually said to be between 100 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, so not much warmer than body temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, try putting a clean finger into the milk. It should feel slightly warm, so if it feels hot, let it sit for a few minutes to cool before adding the yeast.
Nikki
Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 8:36 pmJust made the cinnamon rolls and they were nothing short of amazing!!!! The time it took to make the sweet bread was worth every minute. I will definitely make this again but may double up on the dough and save half for later. Can this dough be frozen, if so how long?
Sarah
Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:43 pmthis recipe is definitely a staple!!! my dad absolutely loves them and asks for them all the time. i add extra cinnamon since we like it that way
Alicia Ibarreta
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 2:26 amWould it be ok to use buttermilk instead of milk? It’s what I have. The recipe looks fab
Kayla
Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 12:06 pmHOME RUN! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Melia
Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 6:10 pmThe best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever bake. Thanks a lot the recipe and the very detail instructions. I only made 1/2 of the recipe because it’s my first time baking with your recipe but I turned out so good. Definitely will bake it again
Camille
Monday, June 8, 2020 at 12:54 pmThis is the best replica for the cinnabon cinnamon bun I’ve tried. The dough was so soft. I doubled the filling (and was happy I did), otherwise made no changes. Next time I’d only use half the icing recipe (personal preference). That being said, I don’t think it will be my go- to cinnamon bun recipe, preferring something a bit chewier. But I will absolutely make this again when the cinnabon craving hits.
Tori
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:47 pmHey! I just combined the dough, but it seems to be too liquify and not uniform enough. (Not sticky just too liquify!). I weighed out the flour- do you suggest I add more?
Tori
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:47 pm*liquidy
Nina
Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 3:36 pmHi! I just made your cinnamon rolls and they were great! First time to make a cinnamon roll.
Memories of my mom’s rolls have been fulfilled!
Thank you !!! The buns didn’t need the icing and could stand by themselves. Next time I’ll do them for 25 mins as the buns got too brown and a little crunchy on the edges.
I couldn’t find the nutrition info on the page. I’m a diabetic s and needed the carb grams / roll (12 pcs)
I couldnt help myself with the wonderful baking smell !
Julie
Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 2:17 pmThis was the first time I ever tried making cinnamon rolls, and your recipe is amazing – these are easily the best homemade cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had.
If I wanted to make these smaller (approximating Cinnabon’s minibons, instead of full-sized), do you have a recommendation for what dimension to roll out the dough/how many pieces to cut? Would I have to modify the baking temperature, or just decrease the bake time?
Lia A Rossetti
Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 8:15 amI am making these for my boyfriend’s birthday on Memorial Day! I let it rise overnight (last night) and this morning I am rolling them out and preparing them for another fridge day. Is it ok that it will be sitting in the fridge longer than the 18 hours you mentioned? It’ll be more like a day and a half. Thank you!!
Gary
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 6:00 pmStarting with the “Copycat Cinnabon” years ago. I have tried every recipe I could find, searching for the perfect roll.
I finally found it. THIS IS IT!
Granted, it is a little labor intensive compared to others, but — WOW! — it is really worth it. This Vanillabeanblog Cinnamon roll recipe is absolute perfection.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sophie Leon
Monday, May 18, 2020 at 12:41 amI used my Hamilton Beach hand mixer that has dough hooks and it’s still alive, I used a wooden spatula at the very end but only cause I was worried about my mixer but not because it couldn’t handle the job, I’ve made pita bread with the same hand mixer and it worked perfectly
Alex
Monday, May 11, 2020 at 6:26 amI have never found a cinnamon roll recipe that truly works out until I found this recipe. SOFT, PILLOWY CLOUDS!! If you are even hesitating one second, stop and make this asap. It is so worth it and honestly not that difficult or any more labor intensive than other recipes. I used brioche/pastry flour for an even lighter texture and it worked wonders. I have now found my go-to cinnamon roll recipe and I would encourage anyone to give this a try. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Lollo Hill
Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 3:24 pmThank you for posting! My family and I love cinnamon rolls and are very picky. I started Friday and baked this today and it was heavenly! My boys complimented me with “much better than Cinnabon, Mama!” Really worth the wait and excellent!
Janet
Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 11:28 amThese turned out amazing!!!! I made a poor decision to make 8 instead of 12 and ended up with HUGE cinnamon rolls that took 45 minutes to bake but OMG were they incredible. So soft and billowy, perfect amount of cinnamon & sweet, just fantastic. I made the dough on Friday, assembled on Saturday and baked Sunday morning. This is now my only cinnamon roll recipe. Thank you so much!!!!
christina
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 3:42 pmi used cold milk instead of warm milk. help! is there any way to salvage this? i am at the step of folding the dough every 30 mins.
Jade
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11:09 amI have tried this recipe twice and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong :(( I followed it the first time with cup measurements for flour, and the second time I measured it on a food scale. Both times the dough was way too sticky to roll out even after chilling overnight and using a ton of flour on the roller and surface. Any advice? The flavor is great for the ones that I can roll up and cook!
Melissa Cruz
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 9:44 amMaking these for mother’s day! Can’t wait to wake my mama up with the smell of cinnamon rolls and a cup of coffee. Thank you for sharing!
Deidre
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7:30 pmThis recipe takes a long time but it is TOTALLY worth it! Even my mom, who thought she had a good recipe, liked these even better (I gave her some of mine). And she asked for the recipe. Totally a keeper!
Janet
Monday, May 4, 2020 at 12:01 pmI just made these yesterday after seeing your recipe on the Pancake Princess bake off! It was hands down the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever had in my life, gloriously fluffy. I must admit my rolling skills are not quite there yet but I look forward to many more trials to taste test!
I did go ahead and take your suggestion to increase filling to 3/4c brown sugar, and did 4 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp cardamom. Glorious. Thanks for the recipe!
Sunshineyyz
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 10:05 pmAnyone who is reading this who hasn’t made this and is thinking of…DO IT. NOW. Go to your kitchen, go to the store, go wherever you need to go to make these. I can’t comprehend how someone could of thought this recipe up. It’s a masterpiece. Thank you!
Mary Jo
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 9:13 pmTwo weeks ago I made what I thought were the best cinnamon rolls ever …until today. This is by far the best ever. I have to admit I was concerned about the lack of kneading and lack of volume but read the other comments of success with this recipe. Fingers crossed, I tossed them in the oven and the final result was a magical, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll. So tender and tasty. Perfect. Will probably never use another recipe. Would love to use this dough for other things. I saw an Apple cider cinnamon roll recipe. YUM! What else can be made. I followed the recipe as written, no deviation. Thank you!
Natalie
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 12:20 pmHi! Any idea how to convert this recipe for a bread machine? Thank you!!
Anya
Monday, April 27, 2020 at 12:47 pmSo I tried this 3x and it just didn’t work for me. I followed the recipe to a “t” and they turned out HUGE. The only difference is I kneaded them in the Kitchen Aid – did this cause the excessive fluffiness?
Emma
Monday, April 27, 2020 at 11:21 amLove these cinnamon rolls so, so much! Growing up, my family always had a weird tradition of making Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and never eating them, because they were gross. Nevertheless, they were present every Christmas morning. This past Christmas, I made these for myself and my husband, to start a tradition of serving delicious rolls instead. They are incredible! Just this past weekend, for my husband’s quarantine birthday, I put up a Christmas tree, wrapped his gifts in Christmas gift wrap, and decorated the whole house for Christmas while he slept, just to add some magic and wonder to a weird day. And, you better believe, I served these cinnamon rolls. They’re as magical as it gets. Also, I highly, HIGHLY recommend doubling the icing. 😉
Mariana
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 11:58 amI made these following the advice of The Kitchn staff. Absolutely perfect in every way! Soft, pillowy, buttery, melt in your mouth, cinnamon rolls. I found the recipe to be easy to follow, and very forgiving for an inexperienced baker with yeasted doughs. Thank you!!!
Pamela C.
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 1:20 amAny thoughts on adjusting this recipe for use with a bread starter?
The specific starter recipe I have also has a cinnamon roll recipe, copied below – but I like the sound of this so much better! But it’s been harder to get yeast and it’d be nice to use what I have on hand. Don’t mind playing with the recipe, but wonder if anyone has tried?
My existing recipe calls for these ingredients to make dough:
– My existing Bread Starter
– 2 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
– 2 Tbsp Sugar
– 1 1/2 tsp Salt
– Heaping Teaspoon of Cinnamon or Cardamom
– 9 Tbsp Whole Milk
– 2 Eggs
– 4oz (1stick) of Unsalted Butter
Tim
Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 7:15 pmIncredible! Highly recommend substituting a tsp amount of cinnamon for a tsp of ground cardamom. Adds delightful depth to the filling and gives it a hint of that Cardamom Bun craze that is sweeping. Also had success substituting a watered down Greek yogurt in place of the whole milk, because you know… Quarantine.