Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
There’s something magical about waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon, sweet sugar, and freshly baked dough drifting through your kitchen. This Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe brings that cozy bakery experience straight into your home — without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch, a holiday morning, or just because you’re craving something sweet and comforting, this recipe delivers soft, fluffy rolls packed with gooey cinnamon filling and topped with a silky vanilla glaze.
What makes this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe so special is how simple and approachable it is. You don’t need a stand mixer. You don’t need advanced baking skills. And you definitely don’t need to spend all day in the kitchen. With basic pantry staples and clear steps, you’ll create bakery-style cinnamon rolls that taste like they took hours of effort.
If you’ve ever been intimidated by yeast dough, don’t worry — this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is designed for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. The dough is forgiving, the filling is rich and buttery, and the glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness. Once you make this recipe, it might just become your go-to homemade treat.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
The reason this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe turns out perfectly soft and fluffy every time comes down to balance and technique.
First, the combination of warm milk, instant yeast, and a touch of sugar activates the yeast quickly and efficiently. The milk temperature (around 110°F) is warm enough to wake up the yeast without killing it. That means a reliable rise and a light, airy texture.
Second, melted butter and egg enrich the dough. Butter adds tenderness and flavor, while the egg provides structure and softness. This creates a dough that’s easy to knead and shape while baking into pillowy rolls.
Another reason this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe works so well is the double rise. The first rise develops flavor and texture. The second rise ensures the rolls bake up fluffy instead of dense. Skipping either step would compromise the final result.
Finally, the ratio of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the filling creates that signature gooey swirl. Brown sugar melts beautifully into the butter, forming a caramel-like center that keeps each bite moist and rich.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
One of the best things about this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is that it uses simple, everyday ingredients.
For the Dough:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
These ingredients create a soft, slightly sweet dough that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon filling.
For the Filling:
⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
The softened butter ensures the sugar and cinnamon stick evenly to the dough, creating those beautiful spirals.
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
This glaze is smooth, sweet, and slightly creamy — the perfect finishing touch for the Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
How To Make This Recipe
Making this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is easier than you think. Follow these detailed steps for perfect results:
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir to distribute everything evenly.
Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. If it feels slightly sticky, that’s okay — it will become smooth as you knead it.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back slightly when pressed.
Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon together.
Roll the risen dough into a rectangle (about 9×14 inches). Spread softened butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut into 12 equal pieces.
Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving slight space between them.
Step 5: Second Rise
Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes. They should look puffy and slightly touching.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown on top.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.
And just like that, your Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is ready to enjoy.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Tips + Tricks & More For Recipe Success
To get the absolute best results from this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, keep these tips in mind:
1. Don’t Overheat the Milk
Milk that’s too hot can kill the yeast. Aim for warm, not hot — around 110°F.
2. Measure Flour Correctly
Too much flour can make the rolls dense. Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping directly from the bag.
3. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Room temperature egg and softened butter help everything mix smoothly.
4. Roll Tightly
A tight roll ensures beautiful swirls and prevents gaps inside the rolls.
5. Don’t Overbake
Bake just until golden brown. Overbaking will dry them out.
6. Glaze While Warm
Drizzling glaze over warm rolls allows it to melt slightly and seep into every crevice.
With these tips, your Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe will turn out bakery-perfect every time.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
How To Serve
This Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is best served warm. Fresh out of the oven, the rolls are soft, gooey, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
You can serve them:
For breakfast with coffee
As a brunch centerpiece
As a cozy dessert after dinner
During holidays or special gatherings
Warm them slightly before serving if they’ve cooled — about 10–15 seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-baked texture.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Serving Suggestions
Make your Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe even more special with these serving ideas:
Pair with hot coffee or cappuccino
Serve with a glass of cold milk
Add fresh berries on the side
Top with cream cheese frosting instead of glaze
Add chopped pecans inside the filling
Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence
You can also turn this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe into a festive treat by adding orange zest to the glaze during the holidays.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Time & Yield
This Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is wonderfully manageable for home bakers.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
First Rise: 1 hour
Second Rise: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours
Servings: 12 rolls
Most of the time is hands-off rising time, making this recipe perfect even on a relaxed weekend morning.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for the perfect homemade cinnamon roll, this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is the one to save. It’s soft, fluffy, gooey in the center, and topped with a simple sweet glaze that ties everything together beautifully.
This recipe proves that you don’t need complicated techniques to create something truly special. With simple ingredients and clear steps, anyone can master this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.
Once you make it, you’ll understand why homemade cinnamon rolls feel like pure comfort food. And chances are, this Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe will become a tradition in your kitchen for years to come. 🤍