Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast
There are few things more comforting than the scent of warm cinnamon and sweet, buttery dough wafting from the kitchen on a slow weekend morning. It’s a smell that promises pure cosiness and indulgence. For years, I was intimidated by the idea of making homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch. The yeast, the kneading, the rising times – it all seemed like a job for a professional baker. I used to struggle with this dish until I discovered this technique, which breaks it down into simple, manageable stages. The result is a tray of the most magnificent, soft, and pillowy rolls you can imagine.
What makes this particular recipe so special is the texture of the dough and the richness of the filling. We use an enriched dough, which means it has milk, butter, and an egg, giving it a wonderfully soft, almost brioche-like quality. This is then slathered with a generous layer of dark brown sugar, butter, and fragrant cinnamon, which melts into a gooey, caramelised swirl as it bakes. Topped with a tangy cream cheese icing that drips into every crevice, these breakfast rolls are simply divine.
This is the kind of recipe that works beautifully for a lazy Sunday brunch, a festive Christmas morning, or any time you want to make the house feel extra welcoming. My daughter, who usually just grabs a piece of toast, actually sat down at the table and savoured two of these last weekend. It’s a bake that takes a little time, but every single minute is worth it for that first warm, gooey bite.
Recipe Overview
These homemade cinnamon rolls are the real deal: a soft, enriched dough swirled with a buttery, brown sugar and cinnamon filling, all topped with a tangy cream cheese icing. The dough is tender and fluffy, providing the perfect base for the sweet, aromatic filling. I tested this recipe three times to get the dough just right – not too dense, not too light, but perfectly pillowy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (active)
- Proofing Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Difficulty: Medium
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Incredible Flavour and Texture: The combination of a soft, fluffy dough, a deeply caramelised cinnamon-sugar filling, and a smooth, tangy cream cheese icing creates a truly memorable bite. It’s rich without being overly sweet.
- A Rewarding Weekend Bake: While it’s not a 30-minute recipe, the active hands-on time is minimal. It’s a wonderful, relaxing project for a weekend morning, filling your home with the most amazing aroma.
- Flexible Recipe: This recipe is a fantastic base for customisation. You can add chopped pecans to the filling for a lovely crunch, or a little orange zest to the icing for a bright, citrusy note.
- Ideal for Gatherings: Works beautifully for a special Sunday brunch with family, a holiday breakfast, or as a welcome treat for overnight guests. They feel special and are much better than anything from a shop.
- Family Tested: These always get compliments! My sister-in-law even asked for the recipe after trying one at our last get-together, and they disappear in a flash whenever I make them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the best results, use good quality ingredients. For the flour, I always rely on a strong white bread flour; its higher protein content is key to achieving that wonderfully chewy, soft structure that makes these rolls so good. It provides the gluten needed for a great rise.
- For the Dough:
- 600g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast
- 250ml full-fat milk, lukewarm
- 75g unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten
- For the Filling:
- 125g unsalted butter, very soft
- 150g dark brown soft sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- For the Icing:
- 100g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 150g icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (if needed)
Kira’s Tip: Don’t skimp on the cinnamon! I use Ceylon cinnamon for its delicate, fragrant notes, but Cassia cinnamon will give you that bolder, classic spicy flavour. Use what you love, but make sure it’s fresh for the best aroma.
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Let’s walk through making these gorgeous breakfast rolls. We’ll take it step by step, so don’t worry if you’re new to working with yeast. The key is to be patient with the proofing times.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the bread flour, caster sugar, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the lukewarm milk, melted butter, and beaten eggs. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon or the mixer’s dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when you poke it. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on a medium speed. I find that hand-kneading is quite therapeutic, but a stand mixer makes short work of it. For extra guidance on technique, BBC Good Food has a great visual guide to kneading.
- First Proof: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel or cling film, and leave it in a warm, draught-free place to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, beat the very soft butter, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon together until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and tip it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, roughly 40cm x 30cm. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border along one of the long edges.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, roll the dough up into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal it firmly. Using a sharp serrated knife or unscented dental floss, slice the log into 12 even rolls, each about 3cm thick.
- Second Proof: Arrange the rolls cut-side up in a lightly greased 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish. Cover again and leave to rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, until they look puffy and are touching each other.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Uncover the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes, until they are a beautiful golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Let them cool in the dish for about 10-15 minutes while you make the icing.
- Prepare the Icing: In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and add the vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency.
- Ice and Serve: Spread the delicious cream cheese icing over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt slightly and drip down the sides. Serve immediately for the ultimate gooey experience.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control is Key: Yeast is a living organism. Your milk should be lukewarm, around 40-43°C. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast; too cold, and it won’t activate properly. Using a kitchen thermometer removes any guesswork.
- The Room Temperature Secret: I learned that using room temperature butter for the filling and icing makes a huge difference. For the filling, it spreads easily without tearing the delicate dough. For the icing, it whips up into a perfectly smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the rolls up to step 7, then cover the dish tightly with cling film and place it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, take them out and let them sit at room temperature for 45-60 minutes to finish rising before baking as directed. It’s perfect for a stress-free morning.
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, just pop one in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm and soft again.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Stand mixer with a dough hook (optional, but helpful)
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish or similar
- Sharp serrated knife or unscented dental floss (for clean cuts)
- Small bowl for the icing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding Too Much Flour: Resist the temptation to add lots of extra flour while kneading. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, not dry. Too much flour will result in dense, tough rolls. A lightly floured surface is all you need.
- Filling Leaking Out: To prevent a buttery, sugary mess in your oven, ensure you roll the log up as tightly as you can. Pinching the seam firmly to seal it and leaving a small border clear of filling on one edge will help it stick together beautifully.
- Under-proofing the Dough: Rushing the rising stages is the main culprit for dense, heavy rolls. The dough needs time to develop air pockets. Use the ‘poke test’: gently poke the dough, and if the indentation springs back slowly, it’s ready for the oven.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, feel free to get creative! It’s a wonderful base for different flavours and textures.
- Pecan Crunch Rolls: For a delightful texture contrast, sprinkle 100g of toasted, chopped pecans over the cinnamon-sugar filling before rolling up the dough.
- Orange Zest Icing: Add the finely grated zest of one orange to the cream cheese icing. The bright citrus flavour cuts through the sweetness and pairs wonderfully with the warm cinnamon.
- Chocolate Chip Indulgence: For a truly decadent treat, scatter 100g of mini chocolate chips over the filling along with the cinnamon sugar. It’s a game-changer! These are even richer than my Cream Filled Donuts Treat.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Rolls
These breakfast rolls are substantial enough to be a meal in themselves, but they also fit beautifully into a larger brunch spread.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A bowl of fresh berries, melon, and citrus provides a light, acidic contrast that balances the richness of the rolls.
- Crispy Bacon: The salty, smoky flavour of well-cooked bacon is the perfect savoury counterpoint to the sweet, spiced rolls.
- A Good Cup of Coffee: A strong Americano, a frothy cappuccino, or a simple filter coffee is the classic and unbeatable pairing.
- Simple Scrambled Eggs: For a more complete meal, serve a small portion of fluffy scrambled eggs on the side. It’s a simple addition that makes brunch feel complete, much like when I serve my Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes with a weekend fry-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the bread flour, caster sugar, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the lukewarm milk, melted butter, and beaten eggs. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon or the mixer's dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when you poke it. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on a medium speed. I find that hand-kneading is quite therapeutic, but a stand mixer makes short work of it. For extra guidance on technique, BBC Good Food has a great visual guide to kneading.
- First Proof: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel or cling film, and leave it in a warm, draught-free place to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, beat the very soft butter, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon together until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and tip it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, roughly 40cm x 30cm. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border along one of the long edges.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, roll the dough up into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal it firmly. Using a sharp serrated knife or unscented dental floss, slice the log into 12 even rolls, each about 3cm thick.
- Second Proof: Arrange the rolls cut-side up in a lightly greased 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking dish. Cover again and leave to rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, until they look puffy and are touching each other.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Uncover the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes, until they are a beautiful golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Let them cool in the dish for about 10-15 minutes while you make the icing.
- Prepare the Icing: In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and add the vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency.
- Ice and Serve: Spread the delicious cream cheese icing over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt slightly and drip down the sides. Serve immediately for the ultimate gooey experience.
Notes
I truly hope you and your family enjoy making and eating these homemade cinnamon rolls. The process is so rewarding, and the end result is a batch of sweet, gooey breakfast rolls that will fill your home with the most amazing aroma. They’re a real step up from a simple weekday breakfast, just like my Smoked Beef Sandwiches are a treat for lunch. Let me know how you get on in the comments below – I love hearing from you!
Happy baking,
Kira
