Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls – Soft & Gooey

These easy homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with warm cinnamon sugar. Topped with a creamy icing, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of the day.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 1/4 cups (400 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 packet (7 g) instant yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) warm milk
• 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Cinnamon Filling

• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed

How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5–10 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add the melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 6–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until roughly doubled in size.

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.

Step 5: Shape the Cinnamon Rolls

Roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12 × 16 inches.

Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from the long side, then cut it into approximately 12 equal rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the cinnamon rolls for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

Beat the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth.

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix until creamy. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk until the icing reaches your preferred consistency.

Step 9: Add the Icing

Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly, then spread the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

• Use warm milk, not hot milk.
• Avoid adding too much flour; a soft dough helps produce softer rolls.
• Give the dough enough time to rise.
• Avoid overbaking the cinnamon rolls.
• For convenience, you can prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate them, and bake them the following morning.

How to Store Cinnamon Rolls

Because these rolls are topped with cream cheese icing, refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container rather than leaving them at room temperature for extended periods. USDA food-safety guidance recommends refrigerating perishable leftovers within 2 hours of cooking or serving (or within 1 hour when temperatures are above 90°F/32°C). See the USDA leftovers and food-safety guide. Reheat individual rolls briefly before serving if you prefer them warm.

How to Tell When the Dough Is Ready

Cinnamon-roll dough should feel soft and slightly tacky rather than dry and stiff. Add flour gradually because too much flour is one of the easiest ways to make the finished rolls dense. During the first rise, use the dough’s appearance as your guide: it should become noticeably puffy and roughly double in size, even if that takes a little more or less time than expected.

Make-Ahead Option

After shaping and placing the rolls in the baking dish, cover them well and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature until they look puffy and have resumed rising before baking. A cold kitchen may require more time.

Cinnamon Roll Troubleshooting

The rolls are dense

The dough may have had too much flour, not enough kneading, or insufficient rising time. Yeast dough rises according to temperature and yeast activity, so watch the dough rather than relying only on a timer.

The filling leaks out

Some melted butter and sugar at the bottom of the pan is normal. Leaving a small border at the edge when spreading the filling and rolling the dough snugly can help keep more filling inside.

The tops brown too quickly

If the rolls are browning before the centers appear baked through, cover the pan loosely with foil for the final part of baking.

A Cozy Homemade Treat

Warm homemade cinnamon rolls are a wonderful choice for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or a cozy weekend treat. For more simple baking ideas, try our easy blueberry muffins, easy apple crisp, or easy chocolate chip cookies.