This post may contain affiliate links, please read my privacy policy.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This recipe for easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls is extremely sweet, soft, and buttery. Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls need only one rise, causing them to be quick, scrumptious and possibly the best breakfast or dessert ever! These are escpecially yummy hot out of the oven, slathered with vanilla icing or butter. Cinnamon Rolls are eaten as dessert, breakfast, snacks or even along with chili. This Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe is a tested and tried, never fail, tasty recipe. This recipe can be made to eat right away, or frozen to have later. If frozen, just freeze the cinnamon rolls before letting them rise, then just place them in a greased casserole dish right before you go to bed. First thing in the morning, pop them into the oven for 20 minutes and you have freshly baked Homemade Cinnamon Rolls!!!
These Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are great with icing drizzled on them, or eaten warm with butter! For the icing, just a simple butter, cream, vanilla, and icing sugar blend is fantastic and super easy. Homemade cinnamon rolls make great gifts for any time of the year. Surprise your family and friends with this tasty treat! You can have these made up and frozen, then, place in disposable pans the night before you want to bring them somewhere, bake in the morning, and take them to any event! I often have these unbaked in the freezer for when company comes. It makes for a super simple, extremely impressive breakfast when you serve fresh-out-of-the-oven, homemade cinnamon rolls!
History of Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls are made with a yeast dough, and filled with a cinnamon sugar filling. They are traditionally "rolled", hence the name. Sweet rolls have been around since ancient times. Cinnamon was added to sweet rolls when Europe was first introduced to this delicious spice. Roman spice traders brought Sri Lankan cinnamon to Europe. Sweden takes credit for baking the very first cinnamon roll! These sweet, cinnamony rolls are common in Northern Europe. Topping cinnamon rolls with icing is a yummy American tradition (and Canadian). Although in the American Midwest, cinnamon rolls are commonly eaten with chili. In 1956, Pillsbury started selling their version of pre-made cinnamon rolls. However you like them, cinnamon rolls or buns are famously delicious and truly a home-baked comfort food!
Ingredients for Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Rolls:
- Granulated Sugar:
- Warm Water: Be sure that it is warm, not hot.
- Active Dry Yeast:
- Honey: This adds a sweet and sticky element.
- Butter:The fat keeps these cinnamon rolls moist and soft.
- Salt:
- All Purpose Flour: Be sure not to add too much flour and don't overknead the dough.
Filling
- Butter: Softened, not melted.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon: Add as little or as much as you'd like!
Icing
- Icing Sugar:
- Butter: melted
- Cream:
- Vanilla Extract:
Method of Making Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- In a large bowl or mixer, stir sugar in warm water. Add the yeast and let sit for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve the yeast.
- Mix in the honey, egg, 1/4 cup butter, and salt.
- Mix in flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl or mixer.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.
- Divide dough into 2 sections. (I always use a scale to divide it evenly)
- Roll out the section of dough into a thin rectangle-ish shape.
- Next, spread each dough section with 1/4 cup softened butter, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of brown sugar and as much cinnamon as you like.
- Roll each rectangle up from the long side.
- I measure this, then divide it evenly to cut each piece into 12 sections.
- Place cinnamon rolls into greased 9"x12" pans. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Bake in 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
- When still warm, drizzle with vanilla icing glaze if you wish.
For overnight Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.
If you decide to freeze these before baking, just place the cinnamon rolls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Transfer to sealed containers or plastic bags after they are frozen. When you want to bake them, place in a greased 9"x13" pan and cover with plastic wrap . Let sit out overnight. bAke at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.