🍥 Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting (Soft, Gooey & Bakery‑Style!)

Warm gooey Cinnamon Rolls

These Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are everything you want in a cozy weekend bake—soft, fluffy dough rolled with buttery cinnamon sugar and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. The smell alone is enough to make everyone wander into the kitchen. This recipe makes a generous batch of tender, gooey rolls that taste just like your favorite bakery, and the dough is versatile enough to use for breads, buns, and more.

⭐ Ingredients

Oven: 350°F
Pan: Greased baking dish

Dough

• 2 cups warm liquid (100°F–110°F) — milk or water (milk adds more flavor)

• ¼ cup sugar

• 2½ tsp salt

• 1½ tbsp active dry yeast (traditional yeast also works)

• ¼ cup liquid fat (oil, melted salted butter, or melted margarine for a vegan option)

• 5–7 cups all‑purpose flour

Cinnamon Filling

(For one batch of cinnamon rolls — double if using the entire dough)

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 2 tbsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup softened salted butter (or margarine)

🥣 Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warm liquid, yeast, and half the sugar. Let bloom for 3–5 minutes (8–10 minutes for traditional yeast).

2. Add the remaining sugar, salt, and fat. Stir gently.

3. Add 4 cups of flour and mix. Add more flour as needed until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, and pulls away from the bowl.

4. Knead for 10 minutes (stand mixer or by hand).

5. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size—about 1 hour in a warm spot.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
Spread ¼ cup softened butter over the rolled dough before adding the cinnamon sugar.

3. Shape the Cinnamon Rolls

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into two portions.
   (This dough makes two loaves or 16–18 cinnamon rolls. Use one half for rolls and save the other for bread, buns, or pizza dough.)

2. Roll one portion into a ¼–½ inch thick rectangle.

3. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top.

4. Gently press the sugar mixture into the dough to help it stick.

5. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge to form a log.

6. Slice into 8 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.

7. Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes in the oven with the light on (heat off).

4. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 25–35 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.

5. Cool & Frost

Let the rolls cool for at least 1 hour before frosting so the cream cheese icing doesn’t melt into the rolls.

👉 Click HERE for my favorite cream cheese frosting recipe.

💡 Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

• Use milk for a richer, more tender dough.

• Press the cinnamon sugar into the buttered dough to prevent gaps.

• Slice with dental floss for clean, even rolls.

• For extra gooey centers, slightly underbake the rolls.

Frosted Cinnamon Rolls