Learn how to make amazing homemade cinnamon rolls. This cinnamon roll recipe is one of my favorite recipes of all time. If you are a fan of cinnamon rolls, give this recipe a try! They are perfect for the Holidays!
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One of the greatest smells is the smell of freshly baked amazing homemade cinnamon rolls. And this recipe for cinnamon rolls from scratch is incredible! Everyone that tries them loves them!
They are one of my favorite things to make and eat. They are awesome, you can eat them for breakfast, brunch, as a snack, or pretty much whenever you want. If you want to eat them for dinner, I won’t tell anyone.
These amazing homemade cinnamon rolls are super tasty, super easy to make, and super cheap, and no mixer is required to make them.
Let’s dive into the fantastic world of baking and learn how to make some crazy awesome Cinnamon Rolls from scratch. If I can do it, you can do it, let's get baking!
Gather ingredients and tools
First, we need to gather up our ingredients and tools. For these amazing homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch you will need the following:
Dough
Flour – I generally use all-purpose flour (plain flour) for these but bread flour works really well too. I have used both many times and they turn out great either way.
Milk – The milk will help to make a richer and softer dough
Sugar – White granulated sugar for a hint of sweetness
Vegetable oil– The oil helps to control the texture. You may use melted butter instead if you like. You can use unsalted or salted butter.
Yeast – You may use active dry yeast or instant yeast. The yeast is what makes the dough rise and gives it a light texture. Yeast based doughs are my favorite!
Salt – The salt will add to the taste and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. It also will help the dough after it is baked to not get stale.
Baking Powder - It creates a light, fluffy texture.
Baking Soda - Used to help the rising of the rolls.
Filling
Brown sugar – You can certainly use white granulated sugar in the filling too if you like.
Butter – oh yeah gotta have butter! This adds tons of flavor to the cinnamon rolls. You may use salted or unsalted butter.
Cinnamon – Can’t have cinnamon rolls without ground cinnamon.
Maple Icing/ Glaze
To glaze or not to glaze that is the question. I make a glaze 50 percent of the time and a nice cream cheese frosting the other 50 percent of the time. It just depends on who I am making them for and what their preferences are.
If you want a cream cheese frosting recipe check out this Simple Cream Cheese Frosting.
Powdered sugar – The main sweet element in the glaze
Butter – This will add flavor to the glaze and help thicken it up
Maple extract – Another flavor element that makes these rolls amazing.
Milk – The main moisture element will add flavor as well as control the consistency.
Coffee - For a little more depth of flavor.
Salt - Because sweet and salty go together.
How to Make Amazing Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Without a Mixer
In a sauce pan on the stovetop, set on medium heat, and mix together 4 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of vegetable oil. Stir occasionally, until the temperature reaches 105 to 115 degrees. You will need a digital thermometer for this. Once the temp is right, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of yeast on top of the milk mixture and let set for 1-2 minutes.
Pour a 2.5 lb. bag of flour in a large mixing bowl, or measure out the flour with a food scale. Then, add the warm milk mixture to the flour and stir until completely combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let set at room temperature to rise for at least 1 hour. At this point the dough can be placed into the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If refrigerating the dough, let it sit out at room temperature for 1-2 hours before using it.
While this is sitting, prepare 2 13x9 pans by spreading butter into each pan, you can use bakers joy if you prefer, I just like the flavor that the butter gives. Soften the butter in the microwave, but do not let it melt. It is much easier to work with when it is spreadable.
After an hour, sprinkle on top of the dough:
1 Cup of flour
1 tablespoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
Mix together and finish mixing by kneading it on a flour dusted table or countertop until everything is incorporated.
Cut the dough in half making 2 different balls. Using a rolling pin, roll out 1 half of the dough on the floured surface into a rectangle. It is usually a 12x24 for each one or make one large log 12x48.
Once rolled out spread 1/2 cup of softened, spreadable butter (1 stick) and spread all over the rolled out dough. Then, sprinkle 1 cup of brown sugar over the butter, then half of the cinnamon and press it down into the butter. If rolling into 1 log use the full amount of butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Starting at the top of the dough (the long section) roll it towards you to make a log. Cut it into 12 rolls, and 1 log into 24 rolls. Then place 12 rolls into each buttered pan. Cover each pan with a clean towel and let rise for another 20-30 minutes.
Time to Bake!!!
Bake these at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes, rotating at the 15 minute mark. I have found in my gas oven that 20 is the magic number. So at 15 minutes I take them off of the top rack, rotate and put on opposite sides and place on the bottom rack for the last 5 minutes of baking. They come out perfect.
Once the have cooled for about 5 minutes the I add my Icing/ glaze. This is one of my favorite icings ever!!
Whisk together:
2 lbs. of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup of coffee
1 tablespoon of maple extract
1/4 teaspoon of salt
After these are fully mixed, ad 6 tablespoons of melted butter to the icing and mix completely. If wanting more glaze like icing, just add a little more milk to thin out.
Now split in half and put on each batch of rolls. ENJOY!!!!
Q&A's
Can I make the homemade cinnamon rolls the night before?
Yes! You absolutely can make the dough the night before. After you form your rolls and put them in the pan instead of allowing them to rise the second time cover them with plastic wrap and place in your fridge overnight.
In the morning, take them out and let the unbaked cinnamon rolls come to room temperature, usually about 1 hour. Then you can preheat the oven and bake them. This way you can have fresh homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning without having to wake up too early!
How long do homemade cinnamon rolls last?
The cinnamon rolls will last about 2 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last for about 7 days if stored in the fridge.
Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls?
Yes you can freeze them before adding the icing. Place the plastic wrap, and then foil over them, or use and airtight container, add to the freezer and they will last 2 to 3 months. Then thaw them out overnight and place them in a preheated oven, 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes to heat them up. Make the glaze and put it on top. If you want to freeze the glaze, put it in freezer bags removing all of the air. Lay them flat and it's usually about 2 cups of icing for every 12 rolls.
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