Easy Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe for easy cinnamon rolls is perfect for beginners and experts alike. The soft dough is filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a creamy frosting.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small bowl
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 packet 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
- Add wet ingredients: Add egg, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add flour, mixing until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll and fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle about 12 inches by 9 inches. Spread softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Roll: Roll up the dough tightly.
- Cut and rise: Cut the roll into 12 slices. Place the slices on a greased baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Frost: Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly before frosting. Drizzle the frosting over the warm rolls.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skim milk.
- If you don't have a stand mixer or hand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand.
For a sweeter frosting, add more powdered sugar. - To make cinnamon roll ice cream, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center of each cinnamon roll and microwave for 30 seconds.