Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Say Goodbye to Store-Bought

These homemade cinnamon rolls 🥮 are warm, fluffy, and covered in a rich, creamy glaze! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat with your morning coffee ☕.

Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls on a Plate with Eggs and Bacon

My little girl Nevaeh loves homemade cinnamon rolls. If it were up to her, she’d eat them every morning for breakfast and every night for dinner. Obviously, we can’t do that, but when I do want to reward her for a job well done, I make her a big fat cinnamon roll with lots of frosting.

She is in kindergarten this year and is trying so hard! She is learning to read and has put forth a lot of effort. She has been diligent in keeping her room tidy, the cat box clean, and the dishwasher empty. So I made her a big batch of her favorite tasty treat and watched her eyes light up!

The dough recipe from The Pioneer Woman is my favorite, and the frosting recipe is a traditional drizzle I have been using for years.

Making the Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

There’s something magical about homemade cinnamon rolls… their warm, gooey centers and sweet aroma make them a favorite treat for any special occasion.

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

Start with 1 cup of 2% milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of oil. Heat it over low heat in a saucepan. When it is warm (not hot!), add in 1 package of yeast or 2 teaspoons worth. Make sure not to let the milk get too hot because it will kill the yeast, and then the dough won’t rise.

Heating Milk, Sugar, and Oil in a Pot on the Stove

Step 2: Combining Ingredients

Slowly stir in 2 cups of flour and mix it until it forms a ball.

Stirring in Flour to Milk, Sugar, and Oil in a Pot on the Stove

Step 3: Letting the Dough Rise

Take the sticky ball of dough and let it rise in a covered bowl for at least 1 hour. I put my dough in a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap so I can keep an eye on it while it is rising.

Letting the Homemade Cinnamon Roll Dough Rise in a Glass Bowl with Plastic Over the Top

Step 4: Making the Sugary Filling

While the cinnamon roll dough is rising, you can make the sugary filling. You’ll need a stick (1/2 cup or 4 oz) of softened butter, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, and 2 cups of brown sugar.

Butter, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar in a Large Glass Bowl

Mash it up with a fork so that it is blended but still crumbly.

Mixed Butter, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar for the Spread that Goes on the Cinnamon Rolls

Step 5: Adding Final Ingredients to the Dough

Once the dough has risen, add 1/4 cup more of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Then sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon each of baking soda and baking powder. Knead this in really well. Your hands will be the best tools!

Adding Flour, Salt, Baking Soda and Powder to the Homemade Cinnamon Roll Dough

Step 6: Rolling Out the Dough

Using a floured surface and a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough until it resembles a rectangular shape. If possible, make it about a foot and a half long (18 inches or the length of the rolling pin) and one foot wide.

Rolling the Dough Flat for the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Step 7: Spreading the Filling

Take that yummy homemade cinnamon roll filling and spread it evenly over the dough.

Spreading Cinnamon Roll Filling onto Flattened Dough

Step 8: Rolling Up and Cutting

Starting at one side and with a little extra flour, roll the dough tightly into a long, thin loaf shape. Pinch the ends and side shut.

Rolling the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Cut the dough into 1-1.5 inch pieces. You can actually make these as thick as you want, but I prefer this size because I can fill up two pie pans, and the cinnamon rolls still have a nice height.

Cutting the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Step 9: Baking the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Place the homemade cinnamon rolls into a greased pie pan. I put 7 in a pan and try to fill up 2 pans.

Raw Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Distributed in a Round Pan

Bake the cinnamon rolls at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes.

Cooked Homemade Cinnamon Rolls in Pan

Crafting Delicious Frosting

Homemade cinnamon rolls wouldn’t be complete without a rich and creamy frosting. It’s the finishing touch that takes these rolls from tasty to irresistible.

Step 1: Mixing Ingredients

The frosting is a simple glaze that you can make as thick or as thin as you like. I usually use 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream. If you like the taste of vanilla, sometimes I add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. But it is totally fine to leave it out.

I whisk it together until it is the consistency that I like. Adding more powdered sugar will thicken it up, and more cream will thin it out. So play around with it until it is the texture you want.

Mixing up the Frosting for the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Step 2: Drizzling Over Warm Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

While the homemade cinnamon rolls are still warm, drizzle some of the frosting on top so that it will melt into the cracks. Reserve a bit of frosting to drizzle on again when you serve the cinnamon rolls.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls in a Pan With Frosting Drizzled Over the Top

Here’s my cinnamon roll queen now. She’s also an animal lover and a terrific artist.

My Cute Little Girl and my Wonderful Cat Smokey

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: A Breakfast Tradition Worth Sharing

Homemade cinnamon rolls signify a special occasion in our house, so I usually serve them with bacon and eggs. My kids prefer “wobbly” eggs (aka scrambled, lol) and crispy bacon. I don’t even bother making bacon in a skillet anymore after falling in love with easy clean-up oven-cooked bacon. It comes out perfect every time, and I don’t have to worry about slimy grease.

Perfect Homemade Cinnamon Rolls on a Plate with Eggs and Bacon

Do you have a favorite breakfast item you make for your family? If you need some more ideas, you might like to try my cheesy ham and spinach quiche or my extra fluffy blueberry muffins. There are even more ideas on my Bright-Eyed Breakfast Pinterest Board. I hope you have a great weekend. Happy cooking, y’all!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Pin
Heidi Davison

Head Baker & Owner

Hi, I'm Heidi, Head Baker and Owner of Heidi's Bakery in Knoxville, TN.

What began as a blog to share family recipes has become a thriving bakery, thanks to community support.
Many recipes here are from my family’s cookbook. Give them a try and leave a comment below!

Heidi Davison the Owner of Heidis Bakery

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