The smell of cinnamon rolls is rich buttery, warm cinnamon and sweet sugar can instantly turn a hectic morning into something slow and special.

This recipe is surprisingly easy to make. It’s perfect for parties, brunches, or those weekend mornings. Trust me once you try these Homemade Cinnamon Roll Delights, you’ll never go back to the canned ones again.

Cinnamon Roll Ingredients

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Dough:

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons instant yeast
½ cup milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg

For the Filling:

½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz Philadelphia cream cheese (softened is best!)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Warm Up That Yeast
In a small saucepan, mix the milk, yeast, and sugar. Heat it just until it’s warm not hot or boiling. You want it cozy enough to wake up the yeast, not scare it off. Once it’s warm and happy, pull it off the heat and set it aside.

Pro tip: If you stick your finger in and it feels like a warm bath, you’re good to go.

Step 2: Make the Dough Base
In a big mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Crack in that egg, pour in the warm milk-yeast mixture, and give it all a good stir until a soft dough starts to form. It’ll be sticky and messy totally normal!

Step 3: Knead It Out
Dust your counter with a little flour, turn out the dough, and knead it for about 5 minutes. You’re looking for a smooth, elastic dough that feels just right under your hands.

Step 4: Let It Rise
Pop the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and tuck it away in a warm spot. Let it rise for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5: Mix the Filling
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it’s thick and spreadable. It should smell amazing already.

Step 6: Roll It Out
Once your dough has risen, punch it down gently (always satisfying), and roll it out into a big rectangle about ¼ inch thick. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it close.

Step 7: Spread the Love
Take your filling mixture and spread it all over the dough, leaving just a tiny border around the edges. You want every bite to be gooey and full of that buttery cinnamon goodness.

Step 8: Roll It Up
Starting from the long side, roll your dough into a tight little log. Go slow and keep it even. Once you reach the end, pinch the seam closed to seal it.

Step 9: Slice and Set
Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (yep, that’s a thing), slice your log into 9 or 12 even pieces. Arrange them in a greased baking dish with a little space between each roll so they have room to puff up.

Step 10: Second Rise
Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rest for another 30 minutes.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once it’s ready, pop your rolls in for 15–20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and your whole kitchen smells like a dream.

Step 12: Make the Glaze
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and creamy. You want it pourable but thick like a glaze-meets-frosting situation.

Step 13: Glaze and Serve
When your cinnamon rolls are fresh out of the oven, let them cool for just a few minutes long enough that the glaze won’t melt right off, but not so long that they’re cold. Drizzle generously with that cream cheese glaze.

Cinnamon Roll Tips

Time Crunch? You can prep these the night before! After placing the rolls in the pan, cover them tightly and stick them in the fridge overnight. The next morning, pull them out while your oven preheats and bake like normal.
Freezer-Friendly: Freeze the unbaked, sliced rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw, rise, and bake as usual.
Pan Pick: Want thicker, puffier rolls? Go with the smaller pan. If you like them a bit more spread out and golden on the edges, use the 9×13.

Got leftovers? Pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and they’re right back to ooey-gooey perfection.

So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and make these Homemade Cinnamon Roll treats. Share them with people you love or just enjoy one quietly with your favorite mug.

Check Out More Cinnamon Recipes