Description

There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm cinnamon filling your kitchen on a cozy morning. These Sweet & Buttery Brown Sugar Cinnamon Rolls are soft, pillowy, and layered with a rich, buttery cinnamon-sugar filling. Perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or simply treating yourself, this recipe brings the comfort and indulgence of bakery-style cinnamon rolls straight to your home. The aroma alone will make everyone gather in the kitchen, and each bite is a soft, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth delight.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

1 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Glaze:

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2–3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Gradually add the yeast mixture and mix until smooth.
Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours, until doubled in size.
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Ensure butter is spreadable.
Punch down the dough and roll it into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread butter evenly, then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over it.
Roll dough from long edge into a log and pinch the seam. Cut into 12 equal slices.
Place slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving small gaps between rolls. Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool 5–10 minutes.
Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

Notes

Make sure milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate yeast.
Dough should be soft and slightly sticky; add flour gradually.
For clean slices, use a serrated knife or dental floss.
Optional additions: chopped nuts, raisins, or mini chocolate chips.
Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheat in microwave or oven to restore softness before serving.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes