Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

A Make-Ahead Recipe That Improves With Time

These Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for breakfast or brunch. The dough can be made the night before, giving the rolls a richer, buttery flavor. Refrigeration also simplifies your morning routine—just let the rolls sit at room temperature before baking.

Simple Steps for Delicious Results

This recipe guides you step by step, from making the dough to spreading sweet cinnamon filling. It includes a creamy, optional cream cheese icing that elevates every bite. For beginners, common kitchen equipment and simple ingredients make this recipe approachable.

These cinnamon rolls are versatile: serve them fresh, freeze for later, or experiment with toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, or spices. They pair well with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, making them a cozy treat any time of day.

Check out the other deserts for more delights and make-ahead-recipes for effortless meal prep. With soft dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and creamy icing, these Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for gifting or enjoying with family.

The secret? Resting the dough overnight intensifies flavor, while baking fresh ensures the perfect golden brown texture. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this easy recipe is a reliable favorite.

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Fluffy, Make-Ahead Friendly)

These Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a sweet cinnamon-butter center. Perfect for weekend breakfasts or brunch, they are surprisingly simple to make and even better when prepared ahead of time. Refrigerating the dough overnight develops deeper flavor and makes morning baking effortless.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cinnamon Roll Dough

• 600 g all-purpose flour
• 75 g granulated sugar
• 14 g active dry yeast (or 2 packets)
• 1 tsp salt
• 350 ml warm milk
• 100 g unsalted butter
• 2 eggs

Filling

• 80 g butter
• 100 g light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cinammon

Method

 

Cinnamon Rolls

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 250 g flour, 75 g sugar, 4 1/2 tsp yeast, and 1 tsp salt. Warm 355 ml milk with 85 g butter until the butter softens (≈37–40°C). Pour into dry ingredients, add 1 egg, and mix. Gradually stir in 250 g more flour, then knead with the remaining flour (100 g) until smooth and slightly tacky.
   
2. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
   
3. Roll dough into a 25×38 cm rectangle by using a rolling pin.
   
4. Spread 55 g softened butter, then sprinkle 100 g brown sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon evenly.
   
5. Roll into a log like shown in the picture
   
6. Cut into 12 pieces (about the thickness of 2 fingers) and place them in a greased 23×33 cm baking dish.
   
7. Cover and let rise in a warm spot 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight for make-ahead.
8. Preheat oven to 175°C. If chilled, let rolls sit 45 minutes at room temperature. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.
   
9. Enjoy immediately, or store cooled rolls in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

Optional: Cream cheese topping

1. Mix 115 g cream cheese and 55 g butter until smooth. Add 120 g powdered sugar and 2 tsp vanilla, whisk until creamy, and spread over warm rolls.

Notes

I like to make these cinnamon rolls to last for 2–3 days, so you can enjoy them fresh for breakfast or brunch without having to bake every morning. They keep best in an airtight container in the fridge, and if they feel a little dry the next day, a quick 10–15 second warm-up in the microwave or a gentle reheat in the oven brings back their softness.

For make-ahead prep, you can shape the rolls and refrigerate them overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes before baking. The flavor actually develops a bit more after resting, giving the rolls an even richer, buttery-sweet taste.

Feel free to tweak the filling: chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips add texture, while a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg gives a warm, aromatic twist. The cream cheese icing is optional but adds that classic creamy finish.

These rolls are versatile—you can enjoy them as a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a sweet treat alongside coffee or tea. They’re also perfect to serve for brunch or share with friends and family.

Hope you enjoy them 🙂