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This is the Best Cinnamon Roll recipe, ready to enjoy in an hour! These yeast cinnamon rolls are quick and easy. Get the secret that makes them better than the rest!
Table of Contents
Best Cinnamon Roll Recipe
I’m always watching my weight, even if it’s just watching those tastes, drips and drizzles going into my mouth. If I’m going to “spend” calories on a sweet treat, it needs to be worth every calorie! I love a good cinnamon roll, but it seems they’re few and far between.
Dieting has made me a food critic! I won’t name names, but I find that a lot of cinnamon rolls are dry and boring. I’ve been on a quest to bake the best cinnamon roll for a while and I’m happy to announce that I’ve nailed it!
I still like cinnamon rolls made from frozen bread dough, but they’re not quite as soft and fluffy and you truly don’t save that much time using the frozen bread dough.
More than once I’ve forgotten to start it the night before and had to come up with an alternate plan in the morning. That’s how these babies were born! Adapted from All Recipes, these light and fluffy rolls are dare I say, the Best Cinnamon Roll recipe.
Yeast Cinnamon Rolls are easy with my simple step-by-step instructions. I’m all about being fuss-free, especially in the morning. (PS if you want a no yeast shortcut, you’ll love these Easy Cinnamon Rolls, too!)
How to Make Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
Making cinnamon rolls is easy! There are a couple of “secrets” to these delectable yeast cinnamon rolls – the most important is covering them in cream before baking them.
You won’t regret it, I promise! While you can bake them in a traditional baking dish, I love them in the cast iron skillet. It cooks them evenly and feels like they’re fresh from my Grandma’s farm.
Pour icing over the cinnamon rolls directly out of the oven so it can seep into the rolls. Don’t skimp! It’s the best Cinnamon Roll Icing around!
Need help with yeast? I’ve got a complete guide that will take you through the steps of baking with yeast! Don’t miss these fabulous tips and tricks!
Active Dry Yeast versus Instant Yeast
Active dry yeast and instant yeast can be used interchangeably. Active dry yeast will be slower to rise, so if a recipe (like these amazing rolls) calls for instant yeast and active dry yeast is used instead, you may need to add an additional 10 – 15 minutes to the rise time.
You can learn all about Yeast here and get the best baking tips and tricks!
To Store
- Room Temperature – Up to 2 days covered or in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate – Up to 5 days covered or in an airtight container.
- Freeze – In a freezer bag or airtight container, up to 3 months.
What Readers Are Saying
Sarah “Just made these this morning and they were amazing! Very easy to make and SO SO good. This will be my go-to cinnamon roll recipe from now on!”
Alice “A dear friend with the help of my 7 year old granddaughter made these for me for my birthday. The rolls are just wonderful! I have made them a couple of times since for myself and friends.”
Anne “I made this over the weekend and my family loved them!! Excellent recipe!”
I use this beautiful cast iron skillet for just about everything – it’s so versatile!
Looking for more brunch inspiration? Don’t skip this incredible Quiche recipe and this Chorizo Burrito Casserole.
More Amazing Brunch Inspiration
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!
Best Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Amazing cinnamon rolls in under an hour with a secret ingredient that makes them incredibly moist!
Yield
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup butter
- 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 package active quick rise yeast
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- ICING:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream can substitute milk
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add milk & butter. Stir until melted & remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 c flour, sugar, salt. Add yeast & lukewarm milk mixture. Combine. Add egg.
- Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, knead while gradually adding in 1 c flour until the dough forms a ball & pulls aways from the edges of the bowl. You can also knead by hand.
- Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- On a floured surface, roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread melted butter on top. Combine cinnamon & sugar & sprinkle on top. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut 10 strips. Roll & place in a baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Turn oven off. Cover rolls with a damp towel & allow to rise 25 minutes. Remove from oven, preheat again to 350 degrees. Cover rolls in 1/4 c heavy cream. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until slightly golden.
- Mix icing ingredients until smooth & drizzle over rolls.
Tips
To Store
- Room Temperature – Up to 2 days covered or in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate – Up to 5 days covered or in an airtight container.
- Freeze – In a freezer bag or airtight container, up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 590kcal (30%), Carbohydrates: 79g (26%), Protein: 6g (12%), Fat: 28g (43%), Saturated Fat: 17g (85%), Cholesterol: 95mg (32%), Sodium: 351mg (15%), Potassium: 122mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 45g (50%), Vitamin A: 950IU (19%), Calcium: 81mg (8%), Iron: 2.3mg (13%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving & are as excited as I am for the holidays! We’re kicking off the season with a train ride – I can’t wait!
Originally published November 2014, updated October 2018.
Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says
My husband who is a baker may find the title offensive 😉 but I am giving these a go for Christmas morning…..they do look really delicious!
Julie says
My apologies to him, Gilly! I have had a lot of cinnamon rolls & truly never had one so amazing. They’re worth every calorie! Merry Christmas!
Anonymous says
You reference 1/4c water in the ingredients, but nowhere in the directions. When should this be used.
Julie says
Thanks for bringing that to my attention – that’s if you want to proof the yeast. I eliminated it as I’ve never had it fail me! Enjoy!
Fi(lle)ancée says
Miam!
Ben says
Recipe looks like it has fantastic results! Just wanted to double check though, in your ingredients list it says 3 and a 1/4 cups of flour but in the method only 2 and a 1/4 are used….
Julie says
My apologies – it’s 2 1/4 at first, adding the remainder later. I updated the recipe. Enjoy!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Totally craving cinnamon rolls right now – these look incredibly delicious (and perfect too)!