Cinnamon Rolls Soft Fluffy (Print Version)

Soft buns filled with spiced sugar, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for any time enjoyment.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
04 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
05 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 large egg, room temperature
07 - ½ tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup packed brown sugar
09 - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tbsp milk
13 - ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Combine lukewarm milk and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Allow to sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Stir until dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down dough and roll it into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle.
05 - Evenly spread softened butter over dough surface. Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over buttered dough.
06 - Starting from the long side, roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
07 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and allow to rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
09 - Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That soft, pillowy texture pulls apart in your hands without any resistance, every single time.
  • The filling stays moist and gooey while the spiral stays intact, which is harder than it sounds but worth the care.
  • They're surprisingly forgiving if you're patient with the rise times and don't try to speed them up in a hot oven.
02 -
  • Temperature is everything—lukewarm milk, room temperature eggs, and a genuinely warm place to rise make the difference between dense and feathery rolls.
  • Resist the urge to cut the rising time short by putting them near heat; slow rises develop better flavor and texture, and you'll taste the difference.
  • The rolls continue to cook slightly after you pull them out, so taking them out when they're golden rather than deep brown keeps them from drying out at the edges.
03 -
  • If you want extra richness and a slightly softer crumb, replace half the milk with heavy cream in the dough—it changes the whole texture in a wonderful way.
  • A serrated knife or dental floss keeps the rolls from getting compressed when you slice, which is the difference between neat spirals and squashed dough.
  • The filling tastes even better with chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins stirred into the cinnamon sugar before you spread it on the dough.
Go Back