Kozy Kitchen and Home

A Family Favorite Recipe for Beginners and Cinnamon Roll Lovers Alike.

When I was a teenager, I loved wandering through the Oxford Valley Mall and always used the entrance right next to Cinnabon. The sweet, intoxicating smell always pulled me in, and I could never resist grabbing one of those gooey, hot cinnamon rolls before heading home (let’s be honest—they rarely made it home untouched!).  I also had my very first date with my husband at that same mall, and now, 39 years later, cinnamon buns have become our Christmas morning tradition—and a treat we enjoy whenever the craving strikes! This recipe brings back those warm memories, and though I’ve had it written down for ages, I wish I could remember who it was that first shared it with me. If you’re reading this—thank you and your recipe definitely has our family seal of approval!

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 1 package instant yeast (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 cup warm milk (110–120°F)
• ½ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups flour
• For the Filling:
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ⅓ cup soft butter
• For the Icing:
• ½ cup soft butter
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Dough:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if working by hand), add 2 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and eggs.
2. Pour in the warm milk and melted butter and mix on low.  Keep adding flour until all 4 cups are incorporated and the dough forms a soft, slightly sticky ball. This usually takes about 2 to 4 minutes in a mixer.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Shape and Bake:

4. Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick (roughly 21” x 16”).
5. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread the soft butter for the filling evenly over the rolled dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the surface.
6. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 even pieces—about 1½ inches each. Place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spacing them evenly.

7. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Let the rolls rest in the pan for about 10 minutes while the oven heats, then bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Finish and Serve:

8. While the rolls bake, combine all the icing ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Everyone loves to “taste test” this part—just a warning, it’s hard to resist licking the spoon!
9. Once the rolls are out of the oven, spread the icing over the top while they’re warm so it melts into all the swirls. Or, serve the icing on the side—for anyone who prefers to slather on an extra-thick layer, or simply enjoy the gooey cinnamon without icing.

Serving Suggestions

These cinnamon rolls are pure comfort on their own, but they’re especially wonderful paired with something savory like scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage. 

Do you have a special topping or twist you add to your cinnamon rolls? Maybe you add nuts, or drizzle with caramel, or sneak in some dried fruit? I’d love to hear how you make this recipe your own—share your favorite versions and cinnamon roll memories!