I know it’s not quite Christmas yet, but the Holiday spirit is with me. It’s been snowing in Seattle and you must understand, it’s rare to have a white Christmas and even more rare to have a white Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving day included Christmas music playing on the radio, driving through snow covered streets, and eating warm fluffy cinnamon rolls. Watching my nieces, nephews, Abbi, Mimi, and Eli light up as they bit into a cinnamon roll just made me so happy I was reminded why I love baking for my family so much. It’s moments like seeing my daughter lick the frosting off of her roll with her finger and laughing with delight that brings me joy. A joy which comes not from being a food blogger, but being a mom, wife, sister, and aunt.
I make no apologies for liking my dough to be pillowy and sweet. The cream cheese icing I top them off with completes the cinnamon rolls in the most perfect way.
I know many of you will be hosting friends and family throughout the holiday season. Homemade cinnamon rolls are the perfect beginning or ending for any get together.
- 1 cup warm milk (115 degrees F)
- 1 egg (room temperature), slightly beaten
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3½ cups flour plus more for dusting
- 1 (.25 ounce) package (2¼ tsp) instant dry yeast
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter melted
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon
- Frosting:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- In a KitchenAid mixing bowl, add milk, egg, melted butter, oil, sugar, and salt. Add flour on top of all the liquid mixture sprinkling yeast on top. Using the dough hook, knead bread mixture on speed 3 until dough is smooth and elastic adding additional flour as needed (approx. 5-7 min.). Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a wet towel. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour in a warm area. *Hint: I typically preheat my oven to 200 degrees while dough is kneading and turn the oven off when kneading is complete. From there, I stick my covered bowl into the oven and leave the oven door cracked open to allow the dough to rise.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon - set aside. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll into a rectangle slightly larger than a 9×13 pan (rectangle). Spread surface evenly with melted butter. and sprinkle sugar mixture on top. Use your hands to make the entire surface is evenly coated. Beginning with the long side, roll dough pinching the seam to seal.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut (I like using dental floss) into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
- To make the frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium-high speed for three minutes. Set aside.
- Bake cinnamon rolls for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Frost with icing.
Melissa says
For the vegetable oil, is it 1/4 cup? It was omitted from the recipe. Thanks so much!
Melissa says
Is it possible to make up until the last rising the night before, leave in the fridge, then take out in the morning? I’d love to try this for Christmas morning, but I don’t usually wake up early enough.
Souffle Bombay says
MAN!! these look scrumptious! I would really like one right about now, maybe I will make these as a surprise treat for my cinnamon roll loving husband 🙂 Oh and I can’t wait for the holidays either heee heee!!!
Joyti says
Those look incredible! I LOVE the photographs!
leslie says
I am a sucker for cinnamon rolls!!! Lovely photos!
foodies at home says
Is that angels I hear?! Because I must be in heaven with these! YUMMY!
Maris (In Good Taste) says
WANT. These look so good. I wish it were Sunday morning and I could stay home and make these instead of going to work!
Ivana says
i love cinnamon rolls!
this looks delicious!
Kristen says
I like my cinnamon rollsmthe exact same way. One of my favoritemthings to make for family and friends!
Anna Haney says
This is one of the few recipes I could find for the real homemade not the quick made, so thank you. Nice recipe easy to understand. When you want a homemade cinnaroll, go all the way!
Tina says
I can smell the Christmas in the air, can’t wait to try your recipe!
Scarlett says
Perfect for weekend! I can just imagine the aroma! 🙂
kitchenette says
bloghopping … you have an interesting site..nice recipes..i’d be following!
happy cooking!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Oh my… these look incredible!! I’ve never made homemade cinnamon rolls before. I’ve always been a pillsberry gal 🙂
I’m trying these next weekend!
Chelsie says
Again, In perfect timing! I must give thanks to you that my home smells absolutely amazing enough to paralyze all senses with those suckers in the oven! My husband said “they look real good to eat even raw.” lol!
bunkycooks says
I haven’t made these in several years, but you have inspired me to bake them again. I just wish I had them ready to go or breakfast tomorrow morning!
Strawberry CAKE says
Aaahh….. we are lovers of cinnamon rolls at our house. These look fabulous!
Michelle says
These look heavenly. What do you think about making them ahead and freezing them before baking? I’ve bookmarked your recipe and will definitely try it, but since we travel for Christmas, I’d love to take some along frozen and bake them up for Christmas morning.
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
*high five!* I use the floss trick, too, although mine still don’t come out as perfect as yours.
Just lovely, Alice!!
Stumbled for ya…
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
These look absolutely gorgeous!! Love holiday baking so much.
Sam says
These looks so gorgeous and your pictures are amazing. I am definitely making these for my family. Thanks!
Snarky Sister says
These look divine! No frills cinnamon buns are my favorite! Leave the raisins, nuts and any other extra out of this classic for me. Beautiful photos too!
the blissful baker says
ohh i haven’t had breakfast yet, and now i’m definitely craving one of these! they look incredible! i will most definitely try this recipe soon, thanks!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
These cinnamon rolls look fabulous! We absolutely love them.
Sonia{7spice} says
Nice tutorial! bookmarked! Looks so tempting.