This recipe is hands down the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Ever. The perfect soft, fluffy, gooey cinnamon rolls are right at your fingertips. This is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
I’ve clearly been holding out on you. My recipe for The Best Homemade Dinner Rolls Ever has been a viral sensation with millions of views and hundreds and hundreds of reviews, questions, and comments. Thousands if we count the ones on Facebook. So many people have requested my recipe for how I turn that same amazing dough into cinnamon rolls. Your wish is my command because here it is!
These are the perfect cinnamon rolls. They are soft, fluffy, and gooey all at the same time. They melt in your mouth when they are still warm. Basically, they are to die for. I have to be careful when I make them because we literally eat the whole pan at once. And there are only four of us.
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MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS
These cinnamon rolls can easily be made ahead. For best results, choose one of the following two methods.
- OVERNIGHT INSTRUCTIONS: After you’ve rolled and cut your cinnamon rolls and placed them into your lightly greased baking pan, cover with plastic wrap and place in your refrigerator. The next day, remove them from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature (about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the temperature of your house) before baking.
- FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: Roll and cut your cinnamon rolls and place several inches apart on a baking sheet to freeze rolls individually. Once frozen, transfer to a resealable plastic freezer bag. When ready to bake, place in a lightly greased baking dish and allow to come to room temperature before baking.
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Can these be made gluten free?
I have not personally tested any variations of gluten free flours. It has been reported to me that the gluten free flour mix “Cup for Cup” works in this recipe, but I cannot personally vouch for it.
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What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
You can knead it by hand! My Kitchen Aid was broken for more than a year and I still made these rolls by hand. I start out by stirring with a spoon until I can’t do it anymore and then I knead it with my hands. Just keep on kneading until all the flour is incorporated and/or the dough is soft to the touch and only slightly sticky. It’s a bit of a workout, but it’s worth it!
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Can I reduce the salt in this for a low sodium diet?
Reducing the salt will not affect the rising. The only thing it will impact is flavor.
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What temperature should the milk be?
The milk should be warm to the touch, between 100 and 110 degrees. You can use 1% up to whole milk. I’ll never recommend using skim milk for anything ?
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How should I measure the flour?
The flour you buy at the store these days is generally pre-sifted. There is no need to sift your flour. I prefer the scoop and sweep method as it is ultra-convenient. Simply use your measuring cup to scoop out the flour and level off the top. Weighing your flour using a kitchen scale is the only way to ensure complete accuracy. Even then, bread making is a both fickle and forgiving and the actual amount of flour you add can change just due to the humidity in the air. When making this roll recipe, it is best to go by the touch and feel of the dough. 1 cup of flour is approximately 125 grams.
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How soft should my butter be?
The butter should be at room temperature and smoosh easily to the touch. If you soften the butter in a microwave, be sure to work in small time increments so you don’t get any melted pools of butter.
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Does it matter if I use unsalted butter?
I have tested the recipe with both salted and unsalted butter without a huge or notable difference. Either will work.
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Does it matter if I use bread flour?
I have used both all-purpose flour and bread flour without a huge or notable difference. I do not have a preference and just use whichever is convenient.
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What should the dough feel like?
The dough should be slightly sticky, but still very soft and pliable. It should just barely not be sticking to the bowl. If you add too much flour and the dough stiffens, your rolls will also get a little stiff. I like to say you can feel a soft roll just by touching the dough.
If you like this recipe you may be interested in some of our other delicious sweet roll recipes:
Watch the video where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe, giving tips and tricks along the way. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
I’ve been making these for a couple years and they’re always sooo yummy. But 14 minutes isn’t nearly long enough to bake. I’ve baked them in two different ovens and it takes at least 30 minutes.
Have made so many cinnamon buns and theses are by far the best. Have made 4 times now. My 12 year old is obsessed with them during the Covid-19 isolation LOL. I do have a different cream cheese frosting but the one in the recipe is also amazing. I agree – make sure they are browned on top or they will be underbaked. Also, I let mine rise in a 100 degree “bread proofing” oven . the bigger the rise, the shorter the cook time in my experience with these. Fluffy, delicious and never doughy.
Tracy, would you share your frosting recipie?!
These really are the best cinnamon rolls. I made them for my family a few months ago and they went and told everyone about it. Now I have a list of people asking for me to make them some too. Thank you for all your amazing recipes. Every time I try a new recipe my husband asks if it’s The Stay at Home Chef – when I say yes – he says ‘I know it’s going to be good’
I have tried several cinnamon roll recipes but they were always a bit disappointing. Too breads or too gooey in the middle, but these Arab amazing! I’ve mad them ahead twice now and my family loves them! I will not se another recipe again. Thanks so much!
Was looking for a recipe and decided to use this one because of the reviews and because it was simpler than others I found. They are delicious! Light and fluffy and sweet without being cloying or heavy. I also grated some orange zest on top of them once done. Watch the video before making because some of the steps in the written recipe are confusing.
this is now my go-to for cinnamon rolls. best recipe I’ve made, hands down. I needed about a 1/4 cup more flour and about 17 minutes in the oven. They’re just simply perfect and the dough is so soft..it’s everything a cinnamon roll should be!
I found the I needed to increase the oven temp to 350 F and bake for an extra 10 minutes. After the original 14minutes at 325F they were still very white looking now browning at all.
I agree – warmer oven and more time are both needed. Great recipe, otherwise!
Hi, love this recipe. We make them all the time. Can I substitute active dry yeast for instant? And if so, how?
You can substitute with active dry yeast, but active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before using while instant yeast can be mixed right into the dough.
I am currently making these and used my active dry yeast. I dissolved it in the warm milk and sugar and let it sit for a little bit. So hopefully they turn out? they are on their first rise right now. I wasn’t sure if I should add more liquid to proof it.
Michaela how did they turn out? I will be making this today with active dry yeast, hoping they turn out well!
I just added it directly to the mix instead of instant and it worked out fine. Based on an internet search it said just let it rise another 15-20 min that the recipe says.
Such a great idea! I did this, I put the active dry yeast in warm milk and it worked perfectly.
Do you still add the warm milk ? Or eliminate it when using active yeast in water ?
I made this today with active dry yeast instead of instant. Just follow the label and make sure you water is warm and to add the sugar to the yeast. I left mine in the water for over 10 minutes because I got distracted with the kids. They turned out amazing!!!
Hi Briana, I know this is late but you can dissolve active dry yeast in warm milk. Just place your active dry yeast and sugar in the mixing bowl. Add milk that has been warmed to 100 – 110 degrees F. Mix with whisk. Let sit for about 5-10 min. It should begin to foam which means it is activated. I use milk all the time to activate my yeast when making yeast bread / bun recipes that call for milk. I have never had a problem.
I wish there were more stars. Just the perfect recipe ever. Just made them
Has anyone made these the night before and baked them the next morning? Do you store them in the fridge overnight or out on the counter? I’m a rookie at this. I’m thinking they’d be awesome for Christmas Morning 🙂
Thanks!
Store them in the fridge overnight. When you are ready to bake, take them out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature (45 mins). This is in the introduction/Frequently Asked Questions.
I’m looking to do the same! From what the instructions say, we’re supposed to follow every step until after cutting. After we make the rolls, we cover them and put them in the fridge. They will prove slowly over night. Then, let them sit at room temp for 45 mins before putting them in the oven Christmas morning? I hope that’s right! I’m gonna give it a try!!! Good luck and Merry Christmas!
It sounds like you need to let them proof after cutting them and placing them in the pan first before covering them and putting them in the fridge. The next morning, you are to let them sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before baking. **Please correct me if I’m wrong!!
First time making these (after searching and trying other recipes). This is a keeper. I agree that 14 mins is not long enough. And, next time I’ll use less frosting – a bit too much for my taste
I’ve made these rolls at least 20 times & they always impress. I like them just as the recipe is written, but my SO doesn’t care for cream cheese frosting in general (I know, what a savage, right?) so I just omit it. Thanks for everything that you do RF
Better than any bought cinnamon roll. Thankyou for the step by step instructions
My family loves these every time I make them. Seriously the best cinnamon rolls. Thank you for the recipe!
These cinnamon rolls are delicious! So light and airy!
This was my first attempt to make cinnamon rolls, and I can’t believe how easy it was. It’s a great recipe, and I definitely will make these again!