Cinnamon Rolls are hands down my favorite dessert. But, they’re hard to make. Baking has always been something I have had to learn. Believe it or not, it did not come to me naturally. I have ruined so many desserts. These cinnamon rolls and my Coconut Cake are probably the few I haven’t. They’re also the most popular!
The first time I ever made Cinnamon Rolls I used The Pioneer Woman’s Recipe. They were the first time I made something and didn’t completely butcher it. I was so fascinated with the process that I began to experiment with them. I finally developed a recipe I liked and continued to make adjustments each time I made them. My family loved them.
The first time I met my husband, I made him Cinnamon Rolls. To this day, he says he married me because I made the best cinnamon rolls he’s ever had. We all love them so much, and they hold so many memories, therefore a very special place in my heart. I have craved them with each pregnancy and all my kids LOVE them.
It’s been 11 years of Cinnamon Roll Experimenting, and I can say this is as good as they get. Make these for your loved ones. You’ll never eat a store bought cinnamon roll again. They’re so good. They definitely take some time and precision, but they are truly a labor of love. Make sure to read through all my recipe tips before starting to ensure they come out perfect! Enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Don’t overheat the milk, otherwise, you’ll kill the yeast.
- Melt your butter and allow it to cool down. If you pour it in hot, it will clump.
- Sift your flour before measuring and then measure precisely. This dough is very finicky.
- This dough needs to be mixed a certain way, with ingredients in a certain order. Follow the instructions to a T.
- The dough needs to be refrigerated. Therefore, it may not seem like it rose a lot. I’ve had times it overflowed, and other times it barely rose. Make sure your yeast is good and be sure to activate it in warm milk. You will kill the yeast if the milk is too hot or if you pour the butter directly on it.
- Don’t skip the salt. It seems like a lot. I promise, it’s not.
- The dough needs to be kneaded in order to form gluten. The best way to know is by using The Windowpane Test
- As you knead the dough, it’ll go from super sticky to a nice shape to almost sticky again. If your hands are clean and dry it should not stick to you as you shape it into a ball. It’s a very soft dough. It’ll have the texture of a soft marshmallow.
- Use Parchment Paper. It makes all the difference. It will keep your rolls gooey rather than crispy on the bottom. I crumble it up then open it and put it into the pan. It keeps it from moving around.
- Don’t get overwhelmed. Read the recipe and TRUST yourself. You got this. I’m here if you need me.
Better than Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
These ooey-gooey Cinnamon Rolls are the best you’ll ever have. The dough is the perfect balance of fluffy and gooey with the most amazing sticky filling. The light cream cheese frosting is the perfect sweetness with a hint of tartness.
- Prep Time: 3 Hour
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 3 Hours 25 Minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Desserts
Ingredients
DOUGH:
2 Eggs
1/4 cup Sugar
1 TBSP Salt
1 cup Milk, lukewarm
1 TBSP Active Dry or Instant Yeast
12 TBSP Melted Butter, cooled
3 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp Flour, sifted then measured
FILLING:
1 1/2 cups Light Brown Sugar, packed
3 TBSP Ground Cinnamon
1 1/2 TBSP Cornstarch
8 TBSP Softened Butter
FROSTING:
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
4 TBSP Butter, softened
1 tbsp Vanilla
1 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
In a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs, sugar, and salt. Warm the milk and mix the yeast into it. Slowly pour the mixture into the egg mixture. Continue whisking. Pour the melted butter, and continue whisking. Add half the flour and whisk until smooth. Remove the whisk and attach the dough hook. Add the rest of the flour and begin kneading the dough.
At this point allow the dough to knead for at least 10 minutes, preferably 15. This will allow the gluten to develop and give you a smooth dough to work with. It will also create the perfect texture. Once the dough finishes kneading, place it into a greased bowl, and wrap it. Refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days.
Prepare the filling by mixing the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Set aside. Make sure your butter is soft. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 21″ by 16″ rectangle. Spread the softened butter, and then the filling mixture. Press it down, and then roll it up tightly with the long end facing you. Use a sharp knife and a sawing motion to cut it into 12 pieces. I cut it in half then into quarters, then 3 to each quarter. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Place the cinnamon rolls in a 3×4 pattern. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm place. They will fill the pan.
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until combined. Add the vanilla. Beat well then add the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
Cover the cinnamon rolls with frosting as soon as they come out of the oven. Enjoy!
Keywords: cinnamon, cinnamon rolls, rolls, frosting, cinnabon, better than cinnabon, dessert, diet, brioche, fluffy
Aisha
This is THE best cinnamon roll recipes, I’ve tried a lot since this is a family favorite! The dough is perfect I’ve never had to add any extra flour or liquid it always turns out perfect with these measurements. They store really well too usually there are no left over when they are I just put them in an air tight container and reheat the next time! I will keep this recipe with me for life, it’s has a home my recipe book!
Nur Ashour
Thank you so much. I love that the measurements are so precise.
Alaa
It’s so hard to come by a cinnamon bun recipe that actually works! Most of the time my cinnamon buns are too thick but these were just right. My favourite is the icing! An absolute fav.
Nur Ashour
Thank you so much!
Amber Spikes
Can you give me specific instructions if mixing and kneading by hand? Thanks!
Nur Ashour
I’ve never tried to make by hand because they need to knead for a long time. You can attempt to make it like you would any dough, but I don’t know what the results will be like! I’m so sorry!
Nur
Raya kashu Kashu
Made these for my family and they were the conversation of the night!! These cinnamon rolls brought back so many Cici’s pizza memories because they taste similar but waaaay better than their cinnamon rolls lol!! Thank you Nur I can’t wait to make these again !!
Nur Ashour
They ALWAYS are. I’m so glad you loved them!
Zaina Ashour
Literally the best cinnamon rolls! (I may have been forced into leaving this review)
Layla Shuayb
Literally the best cinnamon roll recipe. I’ve tried quite a few and this one beats them all. Better than the most popular cinnamon roll shop!
Nur Ashour
Thanks!!!
Wafaa Wafaa
This is a great cinnamon roll recipe. During covid we have had tried quite a few but these always come out great without tweaking. I have also used your frosting recipe for a couple other sweet recipes. I appreciate the work and detail you put in to perfecting this recipe.
Nur Ashour
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Aliaa Hammoudeh
Baked your cinnamon rolls earlier this week. I’ve tried so many different recipes… I have to say your recipe is the best by far. Moist and gooey with great flavor. Leftovers reheat beautifully. Five star recipe!
Nadia
I made this dough last night and kept it in the fridge until this morning so I could make fresh rolls and let me tell you…. O.M.G… Cinnabon who?!? I would love to make them in the cast iron next! Saved this recipe everywhere and now I can print it out as well! Amazinggg! Thank you!!!
Nur Ashour
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you loved them!
Farah Mavrakis
Amazing recipe, clear, detailed, easy to follow and never fails me ! Can’t recommend enough
Sara Karim
I can’t wait to try these tomorrow!
Sara Karim
I made these today and omg so good! The best recipe hands down. If you’re nervous about making cinnamon rolls or it’s your first time, this is a fail proof recipe! I promise! Nur’s instructions are so clearly written…which make this recipe easy to nail!
Thanks Nur! I am excited to try other recipes.
Nur Ashour
Thank you so much!
Rozan D.
Thank you! I made them for the first time ever and they tasted so delicious! I appreciate the step by step instructions and video on ig ! I also recommend the recipe to my family!!
Lisa El Asmar
I’ve made this recipe so many times and it always comes out perfectly. Cinnamon rolls can be tricky….but the description and tips are spot on.! So delicious!
Kaylie
Incredible recipe! The best I’ve ever had-I made for my family and boyfriends family and they went crazy at how amazing they were! They compared them to A really popular cinnamon bun shop in Canada. Thank you so much for all your recipes
Nur Ashour
Thank you for following me and trusting my recipes!
Iman
These are amazing!!!
Ismat
Love your website’s overall look. Nice & clean. And as usual awesome easy to follow recipe.
Leila
These look so delicious! They’re on the top of my baking list!
Nisreen
As someone who loves trying new recipes– it’s rare that I will save a recipe to repeat. I have made these 5 times so far and there is a reason I keep coming back to them. I have also used this dough to make a loaf of strawberry cinnamon swirl bread, and nutella bread and it always ALWAYS comes out perfect. I have no words to describe what a crowd pleaser this recipe has been- my normally picky mother asked me to copy it down in her treasured recipe book (a first for me!). The instructions are so easy, the flavor is impeccable, and the measurements are immaculate (as is always the case from Nur). I highly recommend giving this recipe a try!
Nur Ashour
This comment is so sweet! I understand how you feel, it’s exactly why I strive to perfect recipes for you guys! I’m honored you chose to add this to your treasured recipe book, and I hope you continue to make it again and again! Thanks for being here!
Kandy Steel
Crazy delicious! I love these cinnamon rolls. I had a hard time at first because I’m not a baker, but your directions are amazing and were very helpful. I have it down now and make them almost every weekend for family and friends. You’re web site is beautiful, as well. Thank you for sharing!!
Nur Ashour
Thanks for making them! Love you guys!
Menat Zihni
These rolls are GORGEOUS and delicious! The recipe was precise and very detailed, so it was hard to mess up! My family loved them.
Nur Ashour
So glad to hear that! Thanks for making them!
Nur Ashour
YAY!
Farah.trabulsi
Yummm they look delicious!!! Cannot wait to try this recipe!!
★★★★★
Sabrina
The best cinnamon rolls ever! Way better than any I’ve ever bought! It is a must make and easy to follow with Nur’s concise directions!
Nur Ashour
Thanks so much! So glad you loved them!
Nur Ashour
Thank YOU!
Clarissa
Is it 3&3/4 cups of flour? Or butter??
Nur Ashour
Flour!
Alia A
The best cinnamon roll recipe ever! So soft and gooey! The icing is so smooth and has the perfect amount of sweetness. These literally get eaten in seconds
★★★★★
Nur Ashour
Forever my favorite recipe ❤️
Katie Salameh
Love the story behind it. I have always been i intimidated to make it. You make it look so easy. I will be making it soon! Thanks for the recipe
★★★★★
Nur Ashour
Forever my favorite dessert. Thanks for being here!
Noor
Oh my goodness this recipe is AMAZING! So detailed and easy to follow! I made the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight and oh my god you get the fluffiest most delicious cinnamon rolls you ever will eat! Thank you so much Nur for sharing this amazing recipe!
★★★★★
Rawan Abdelkarim
The best cinnamon roll recipe out there! So easy to follow the steps and they turn out so amazing!!! It’s everything you want in a cinnamon roll. Can’t wait to make these again and again, everyone loved them!
★★★★★
Nur Ashour
❤️❤️❤️
Nadia
This recipe was so so good, as is every other recipe of yours mashaAllah!! I’m never making cinnamon rolls any other way! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Liz
Came out amazing! I had given up long ago making cinnamon rolls cause they never came out right. I gave myself another chance when I came across this recipe. Let’s just say since Ramadan started I’ve made it 5x already! The nieces and nephews love them! She makes the recipe so easy to understand and do. And YES I was tempted to add more flour to the sticky mix..lol..but I listened to her and trusted the process. They come out so delicious every time!
★★★★★
Nur Ashour
I’m so glad they come out so perfect! Thanks for trusting me!
Farah Karim
The best cinnamon roll recipe ever! The dough was amazing and so soft, everyone loved it! 10/10 can’t wait to make this again. Everything about them was perfect!
★★★★★
Nur
You’re perfect! Thanks for always trusting my recipes! ❤️❤️❤️