THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER RECIPE

The best easy cinnamon rolls made with pillowy soft bread, the perfect amount of cinnamon sugar filling, and a luscious cream cheese frosting

Recipe by Zoha on August 25, 2024

Prep time: PT45M

Cook time: PT20M

Total time: PT-487678H42M18S

Rating

4.9 stars ( reviews)

Keywords

Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup whole milk (320g)
4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
5 cups all purpose flour (650g)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200g)
2 tbsp cinnamon powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup heavy cream (120g), room temp
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
1/4 cup heavy cream (60g)
1 cup icing sugar (100g)

Cuisine

American

Steps

Dough:
- Microwave milk for 20-30 seconds until it is warm to touch (~100-110F). Add it to a bowl with the yeast, whisk, and rest for 10 minutes or until the mixture looks foamy
- Add the rest of the dough ingredients (sugar, flour, eggs, salt, and room temperature butter) to the same bowl
- Kneading by hand
- Kneading with a stand mixer
- Transfer to a clean bowl sprayed with some oil, cover with cling wrap and rest in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until the dough has at least doubled in size, and springs back partly when gently poked with a finger
Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing softened butter with cinnamon, sugar and salt. If it feels hard to mix, microwave for a few seconds and mix again. It should be a spreadable consistency
Assembly & baking:
- Line a 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a clean surface dusted lightly with flour. Using your hands and a rolling pin, roll it into a 12x18" rectangle. The dough will be really soft so won't need much pressure
- Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly across the rectangle
- With the 12" side towards you, divide the dough into 12 strips (each strip will be 1" wide and 18" long). This is easiest done if you use a long acrylic ruler and a pizza cutter
- Roll each strip tightly into a cinnamon roll, and transfer to the baking tray. You will arrange the rolls in a 4x3 formation
- Once all rolls are shaped, let them rest in a warm spot for another ~30-45 minutes until they look a puffed up and spring back partly when gently poked
- In the last 20 minutes of the second rise, preheat your oven to 350F (conventional / no fan)
- Right before putting the rolls in the oven, pour the 1/2 cup heavy cream over them carefully. It will get soaked up as the rolls bake
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes until the rolls develop a light golden color and feel firm to touch. If in doubt, I think it's better to slightly underbake for a gooey texture, vs overbaking and having dry rolls
- Remove from oven and let the rolls rest for 10 minutes
Cream Cheese Icing:
- Whisk together the cream cheese, butter, cream and icing sugar until creamy to make the cream cheese icing
- Spread generously onto warm rolls
- Serve & enjoy!

Reviews

Madi on 2024-12-24 (5 stars):
Hi Summer, just made these for thanksgiving and they are amazing. The only thing different I did was add vanilla to the frosting! I even rolled them and fridge them overnight :)
Betty on 2024-08-28 (5 stars):
Amazing for fall !! I loved them so much
Stephen on 2024-09-01 (5 stars):
Thanks so much Zoha. This bake was so so good!! Absolutely delish! We covered the rolls with tin foil for an extra 5 mins as some of the dough was still raw after the given time. Also we added a touch more icing sugar to the frosting to sweeten it a little more. Only other thing to mention is that it is a VERY wet dough but stick at it and it will come good! Thanks again!
Herum on 2024-09-01 (5 stars):
When she says better than Cinnabon, she isn’t the slightest bit wrong. Made these for the first time and they turned out flawless. Just devoured a whole cinnamon roll as if eating a cloud!
C. T. on 2024-09-07 (5 stars):
No words!!! This is by far the best recipe and trust me i tried many. Absolutely delicious! The dough was a pleasure to work with, and flavours are spot on, i followed the recipe to a tee. My family asked: “new recipe?” and my answer was: “same lady whose cheesecake recipe i followed last time” that put a huge smile on everyone’s face!! Thank you so much Zoha!
Abeer Noman on 2024-09-18 (5 stars):
The cinnamon rolls turned out to be absolutely amazing, boasting a pillowy soft center, just the right amount of sweetness, and pure decadence when paired with cream cheese frosting . Indulging in them was an absolute delight.
Hajra on 2024-09-19 (5 stars):
I tried them and they were superrrr nice. Everyone loved it♡♡♡♡
Hifza on 2024-09-25 (5 stars):
These turned out better than I could imagine! Thank you Zoha for sharing your wonderful recipes… I am fan!
Lua on 2024-09-29 (5 stars):
Absolutely amazing, I've tried other recipes and the dough would turn out hard and just okay at best. This recipe was the only one that left me with soft and ginormous cinnamon rolls. 10/10 recommend.
ND on 2024-10-22 (5 stars):
Absolutely delicious Recipe is easy to follow and the cinnamon rolls came out perfectly soft and delicious . I 100% recommend
Sonakshi Gogia on 2024-10-26 (5 stars):
If you are looking for perfect cinnabon rolls this is the best recipe. After a week of researching for recipe, I confided in this one. That was the best decision ever. It was a hit among my family and friends. The measurements were so precise and so were the instructions. Loved it!
Asma Amer on 2024-11-04 (5 stars):
Had one last night. Hands down, the best cinnamon rolls ever. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Alifiya Mo on 2024-11-08 (5 stars):
Hey Zoha! Congratulations for your little bun! Super excited for you <3 I've tried the Cinnamon rolls recipe twice and both times its been a hit! Love all your recipes cause firstly you explain them so well and secondly they are full proof! Sending lots of love and wishes your way.
Amber on 2025-01-19 (5 stars):
I used this recipe but subbed for fresh milled flour, mostly hard white with a little soft white. Shut up, Cinnabon out of business.
Cheryl A on 2024-11-11 (5 stars):
The best cinnamon roll recipe I’ve tried yet! I actually didn’t even add the heavy cream and they were so Devine. My company loved them too! Will make these from here on out. Soooo good!!!
Georgina on 2024-11-16 (5 stars):
By far my most complimented cook ever!!! It is the most delicious cinnamon scroll recipe I have ever used and tastes delicious even when you re-heat it in the microwave days later! Would most definitely recommend this for anyone that wants to bake as it is pretty simple and the outcome is worth the wait!
Ari on 2025-01-29 (5 stars):
I tried this recipe out today and it’s absolutely delicious! I do have a question. After shaping and rolling up the cinnamon rolls, would I be able to put them in the fridge overnight and then bake next day so they’re fresh?
Amel on 2024-11-19 (5 stars):
It was soooooo good ! Quick question (Hope i didn’t miss it in the article): how do you store them ? In the fridge ?
Aisha on 2024-11-23 (5 stars):
Which cream I'm Uk double cream?
Amanda on 2024-11-23 (5 stars):
Just got done making these this morning Zoha and they were sooooo good. My husband and boys loved them. This is my third recipe of yours that I've made(have done your NY Cheesecake and Tres leches cake) and this was another hit 😋. I always brag that it was another one of your recipes. Thanks so much for posting these ❤️.
deeba on 2024-12-06 (5 stars):
Omg probably one of the nicest cinnamon buns I’ve made and had. I’ve attempted these in the passed but they Were on the dry side and didn’t taste anything like the bakery ones. All that changed today. Just make sure your milk is around 100-110 in temperature and the yeast will activate properly (it failed first time round so had to go online to find out why). This will definitely be in my recipe book. Had soo many compliment. Thank you Zoha xxx
Arwa on 2024-12-06 (5 stars):
This is hands down the best cinnamon roll recipe I’ve ever tried! The rolls turned out so soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet. Everyone loved them, and they disappeared within minutes. Definitely a keeper! THANK YOU!
Jennifer Hall on 2024-12-07 (5 stars):
I made these by following he instructions perfectly and weighing out all ingredients and if you do that, they’re AMAZING! I used a kitchen aid mixer for the kneading which is recommend. These were so delicious my friends and boyfriend loved them.
Liz on 2024-12-08 (5 stars):
This was my first time making cinnamon rolls and the recipe was so easy to follow! The rolls came out so fluffy and delicious, my fiance is obsessed!
Rachel F. on 2024-12-22 (4 stars):
These were absolutely fabulous!!!! I made two pans of rolls. Wanted to try a stacking and twisting method I'd seen. Did that in a 9" springform pan with half the dough, and made 9 or 10 more traditional rolls in a regular 9" cake pan. The dough was SO soft and stretchy. I cheated on the icing and used canned cream cheese frosting, thinned down with a little heavy whipping cream and a dash of vanilla. SO SO SO good! Ready for another batch on Christmas morning. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Susan on 2025-01-11 (5 stars):
We had a winter storm and were shut in. I decided to make cinnamon rolls and am so glad I found this recipe. These REALLY are the best cinnamon rolls ever! No changes needed. I wish I had taken a photo, but they disappeared so quickly. Thank you!
Maryam Waqas on 2025-01-15 (5 stars):
I have been trying many cinnamon rolls recipes since ages and was never ok with the dough tbh. And yesterday i tried your recipe Zoha and simply blown away ! What a soft dough and the filling when you mix everything with butter is such a simple solution of the filling spill..the 1 inch cutting method and what not… LOVED THEM! So so good I had 3 in one go and it still wasnt enough ! ❤️
Raquel Araujo on 2025-02-01 (5 stars):
I made it and they were perfect!! The full description of all steps was essencial as I dont have much practice. Thank you very much for your work ❤️
Hibaa on 2025-02-16 (5 stars):
These turned out so so goodd! I can’t believe how pillowy soft they were i’m so so gladd i found your recipes. I tried your cheesecake and this is your second recipe that i attempted. Thank you for the efforts wishing you more and moree success! 🥹💖💗💌🌷
Tee on 2025-03-14 (5 stars):
I have tried soooo many recipes and THIS ONE! THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY THE BEST I HAVE TRIED! My whole family devoured it in one sitting. This will now be my new GO-TO recipe. Thank you so much.
Rabia Mazhar on 2025-03-14 (5 stars):
Loved this - probably one of the very few internet recipes I've made that turned out SO good with zero changes needed
Tori on 2025-04-07 (5 stars):
Truly the best cinnamon rolls I’ve made! This is now my go-to recipe and everyone loves it!
Kenia on 2025-04-16 (5 stars):
I made it and turned amazing delicious
Tasleema on 2025-04-29 (5 stars):
I wanted to eat cinnamon rolls so bad one day. I came across with Bake with Zoha. It was an easy recipe to follow. This came out soooo soooo good. I swear it's better than buying. I honestly cannot wait to make it again.
Marin on 2025-05-21 (5 stars):
Absolutely delicious & simple to make! So soft, fluffy & not too sweet (which is rare these days-every recipe is too sweet). The only addition i made was i added 1 TBS of Vanilla Extract to the dough & 1 tsp in the icing (in Australia our cinnamon rolls usually have vanilla). I also just sliced the dough with a sharp knife & used my fingers to even out their shape, as i like things to look homemade & not so perfect. Once they proved & baked, they looked plump & beautiful. Thanks for a delicious recipe! I would love a hamburger bun recipe next Zoha ☺️
Mukti on 2025-05-28 (5 stars):
Like all your recipes this one also turned out delicious! The dough definitely took its time to kneed and I felt like I had got it wrong and it wasn’t going to turn out as good but despite some of my mistakes, it still turned out so yumm! Thanks again for a great recipe and the detailed blog :)
Gul on 2025-06-04 (5 stars):
Hands down the best cinnamon rolls recipe. I bake a lot and try a lot of recipes. But I cannot make another cinnamon roll recipe because it doesn't come close to yours.
Pamela Craig on 2025-06-05 (5 stars):
So delicious and so easy to make. This is the second time making them. They turn out wonderfully every time!
Tina Sain on 2025-06-17 (5 stars):
I LOVE THESE CINNAMON ROLLS! My family and friends love them and they are my go to cinnamon rolls to make.
Iiv on 2025-07-06 (5 stars):
I have been baking for 38 years and cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite things to make. I have 4 recipes that i use for different types and I’m getting rid of all of them. This is by far the softest, most delicious cinnamon rolls! The salt seems like a lot but it is perfect for 5 cups of flour (I actually only used 4 3/4 because the dough felt great at that point. I split into two pans because I wanted smaller rolls and poured a quarter cup of cream in each pan. Somehow it just soaked into the dough and made them more tender, not wet. Thank you! I will try more of your recipes!
Shirley on 2025-07-26 (4 stars):
Absolutely phenomenal cinnamon rolls! Best ones i've ever eaten. My family loved them and couldn't get enough! Thank you so much for sharing.
Tehreem Kashif on 2025-08-01 (1 stars):
I just tried it today and they turned out exactly the same and they are soooo delicious super soft ooeyee gooyee melt in your mouth♥️ now there’s no going back this recipe will always be my go to recipe. Sending lots of love to Zoha.
Dani on 2025-08-05 (5 stars):
The dough!!!! Perfection queeeeeen
Zunaira Nadeem on 2025-08-06 (5 stars):
THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER , and honestly love the website it is easy to operate and everything is clear with a touch of astheticness(if that’s a word) but amazing MashaAllah
JD on 2025-08-10 (5 stars):
I made these in January for a party. The party fell through so I ate one and froze the rest. They slowly got eaten and I thought I had finished them but I just came across the last one, microwaved it and it is glorious. Pillowy soft, no freezer burn taste, just perfection. Thank you for such a great recipe, it’s a keeper.
Justnique on 2025-08-16 (5 stars):
OMG. These are perfect!