There’s something magical about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. These sweet, gooey treats are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a cozy afternoon snack. With their soft, fluffy texture and delightful swirl of cinnamon and sugar, they’re sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this easy recipe will guide you through creating the perfect cinnamon rolls. So, let’s get started and fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls!
What Are Cinnamon Rolls?
Cinnamon rolls are sweet, spiral-shaped pastries filled with cinnamon and sugar, loved by everyone around the world. They are known by names like cinnamon buns or cinnamon snails, these delicious treats are especially super popular in Northern Europe and North America. Sweden even has a special day for them “Cinnamon Roll Day” on October 4th! Amazing right?
They come in different sizes, from small to extra-large, with variations like Sweden’s Kanelbulle and Finland’s Korvapuusti. Although they are similam to honey buns in the U.S., cinnamon rolls have their own unique charm. They are magically delicious perfect sweet treats.
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls?
To make cinnamon rolls, mix lukewarm water, sugar, yeast, and milk powder in a bowl. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, add flour, salt, and butter, and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for an hour. While the dough rests, mix sugar, cinnamon, and butter to make the filling.
When the dough is ready, roll it out, spread the filling, and roll it up tightly. Cut the roll into equal pieces using a yarn or knife. Place the rolls on a greased baking tray, cover, and let them rest for 20 minutes. Bake at 160°C for 20-30 minutes, then brush with butter. Let them cool slightly before serving. Keep scrolling to see the exact portions of the ingredients, as it’s important to follow each direction carefully for the best results!
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon milk powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter (for dough)
- ⅓ cup sugar (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon butter (for filling)
- Oil (for brushing)
- Parchment paper (for baking)
Direction
- In a bowl, mix ½ cup lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of instant yeast. Stir well. Add 1 tablespoon of milk powder, stir again, and cover the bowl with a lid. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the lid and add 1 cup of flour and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix well. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 1 hour.
- While the dough is resting, prepare the cinnamon filling by combining ⅓ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder, and 1 tablespoon of butter in a bowl. Mix well.
- After the dough has rested, sprinkle flour on your work surface. Roll the dough into a round shape and make sure it’s thick. Spread the cinnamon paste evenly over the dough. Then, roll the dough tightly.
- After rolling, mark the roll into equal portions with a knife. Use yarn or dental floss to gently cut each portion. This way, you’ll get a clean, perfectly round slice.
- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper and brush the parchment with oil. Place the rolls on the tray, cover them, and let them rest for another 20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 160°C. Bake the rolls for 20-30 about minutes.
- When it’s baked, brush the rolls with butter and let them rest for 15 minutes. Serve them warm and enjoy!
Why Do My Cinnamon Rolls Bake Unevenly?
You may face trouble sometimes when you experience unevenly baked cinnamon rolls. The centers of the cinnamon rolls can rise unevenly and stick up while baking. This can create little bumps that weren’t expected.
This usually happens if you roll them too tightly or if the pan is too small and crowded. I’ve experienced this a few times before I found the solution and it’s a super easy fix! Just take the pan out of the oven and gently press the risen spots back down with the back of a spoon. Problem solved!
What to Serve with Cinnamon Rolls
You can enjoy cinnamon rolls on their own as they have their own delicacy. Also, you can serve them warm alongside hot tea, freshly brewed coffee, orange juice, or hot chocolate. To make your breakfast extra special, pair them with sliced fruit, yogurt, and scrambled eggs.
Chef’s Tips
- Use the required portion for each ingredient, too much or too little can make the rolls too dry or too smooth. Keep an eye on the portions carefully.
- While making the dough, make sure you use fresh yeast and lukewarm water, preferably at 110-115ºF. This will allow your dough to rise perfectly.
- You can keep your freshly baked cinnamon rolls covered at room temperature for 1-2 hours. After that, move them to the refrigerator, where they’ll stay good for up to 5 days. Just reheat them in the microwave before serving.