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.
Step 2: Combining Ingredients
Slowly stir in 2 cups of flour and mix it until it forms a ball.
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.
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.
Mash it up with a fork so that it is blended but still crumbly.
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!
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.
Step 7: Spreading the Filling
Take that yummy homemade cinnamon roll filling and spread it evenly over the 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.
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.
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.
Bake the cinnamon rolls at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes.
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.
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.
Here’s my cinnamon roll queen now. She’s also an animal lover and a terrific artist.
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.
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!
