Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Fluffy & Beginner-Friendly)

Prep: 25 minutes | Rise: 1 hour 15 minutes | Cook: 22 minutes | Total: 2 hours 2 minutes | Serves: 12
Best For: Weekend breakfasts, afternoon tea, family gatherings

Soft and Fluffy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

These easy homemade cinnamon rolls are made with a soft yeast dough, filled with buttery cinnamon sugar and baked until fluffy and lightly golden. A simple vanilla icing melts over the warm rolls, giving you that classic cinnamon-roll finish without making the recipe overly complicated.

They take a little longer than our usual quick bakes, but most of that time is simply waiting for the dough to rise. Make them on a slow morning, bring a warm tray to a family gathering or put them in the middle of the table and watch everyone suddenly appear in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

For the Dough:

• 3½ cups plain flour, plus extra if needed

• 2¼ teaspoons instant dry yeast

• ¼ cup caster sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup warm milk

• 60 g unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 75 g unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Vanilla Icing:

• 1 cup icing sugar, sifted

• 1–2 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:

• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

• Cream cheese icing instead of vanilla icing

• Extra cinnamon, for sprinkling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the dry ingredients. Add 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl and stir together.

2. Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, egg and vanilla. Mix until a sticky dough begins to form.

3. Form the dough. Gradually add the remaining flour until the dough is soft and slightly tacky but manageable.

4. Knead until smooth. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

5. Let the dough rise. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover and leave somewhere warm for 45–60 minutes, or until roughly doubled in size.

6. Make the filling. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.

7. Roll the dough. Gently punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle approximately 40 × 30 cm.

8. Add the filling. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top.

9. Roll and slice. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough firmly into a log. Cut into 12 even rolls.

10. Rise again. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little room between them. Cover and allow them to rise for another 20–30 minutes.

11. Bake until golden. Bake at 190°C conventional or 170°C fan-forced for 20–22 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.

12. Make the icing. Mix the icing sugar, vanilla and enough milk to create a smooth, pourable icing.

13. Finish the cinnamon rolls. Let the rolls cool for around 10 minutes, then drizzle the vanilla icing generously over the top.

Helpful Tips

• The milk should be warm, not hot. Excessive heat can damage the yeast.

• Don't keep adding flour until the dough becomes dry — a slightly tacky dough helps produce softer cinnamon rolls.

• Use unflavoured dental floss or a very sharp knife to cut clean rolls without squashing them.

• Ice the rolls while they're still slightly warm so some of the icing melts into all those cinnamon layers.

Why This Recipe Works

• Instant yeast keeps the homemade dough straightforward for beginner bakers.

• Butter, milk and egg create a soft and fluffy cinnamon roll.

• Brown sugar and cinnamon make a simple classic filling.

• Most of the preparation time is hands-off while the dough rises.

• The rolls can be served warm straight from the baking dish.

• Perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea or sharing with family and friends.

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• 3-Ingredient Lemonade Scones (Fluffy, Easy & Foolproof)

• Joy-Filled Banana Bread (Simple & Comforting Bake)

• Easy Blueberry Muffins (Moist, Fluffy & Beginner-Friendly)

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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.

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