Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
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These Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, a copycat Cinnabon recipe, are the ultimate breakfast indulgence. Soft, fluffy, and swirled with cinnamon and sugar, these rolls are a classic treat that will make your taste buds sing with delight. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and will have you whipping up your own batch of freshly baked cinnamon rolls in no time.
The Best Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Copycat Recipe
Who doesn’t love the cinnabons at the malls? Just walking by their stores and smelling these cinnabons baking, drives me up the walls. It’s very hard to keep on walking and not stop and spend $5 on a cinnabon.
It’s been a few years now that I came across this book, More Top Secret Recipes: More Fabulous Kitchen Clones of America’s Favorite Brand-Name Foods, and inside it I found the copycat recipe for cinnabons. You can also check out Todd Wilbur’s website here.
I have since modified the recipe to my liking and think I have the perfect cinnamon rolls recipe. I may be biased but the thousands of people who have tried this, kind of agree with me.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Easy Recipe! You don’t need any fancy ingredients or special skills to make homemade cinnamon rolls. The stand mixer does most of the work. All you have to do is roll and bake!
- Cinnabons Deliciousness! With a buttery cinnamon filling and a yummy cream cheese icing, these super soft copycat cinnamon rolls are amazing! Just like the famous version.
- Crowd Pleaser! Perfect for this holiday season! You can serve them for breakfast, brunch, or take them to your next potluck. Everyone will be thanking you.
Oh My Goodness!! These are the best homemade Cinnamon Buns
- Active dry yeast – You can use instant yeast if that’s what you have. If you use instant, you won’t need to bloom it first, but it’s a good idea to test if it’s still alive. If your yeast doesn’t foam up your yeast is dead and the bread won’t turn out.
- Milk – make sure the milk is lukewarm. Lukewarm basically means the milk is between 98℉ and 105℉ (36.5°C to 40.5°C). I used whole milk (3.25%) but you can use whatever is in your fridge.
- Sugar – granulated sugar is fine, we just need a bit to sweeten the dough.
- Butter – unsalted as always. Unsalted butter gives us control on how much sodium is in our food.
- Salt – we always need to add a bit of salt to our baked goods, to bring out all the flavors. Salt basically makes everything taste better.
- Eggs – Use large eggs for this recipe.
- Flour – I used all-purpose flour for this.
- Brown sugar – I prefer to use dark brown sugar. Make sure it’s packed.
- Cinnamon – the key ingredient in cinnamon rolls!
- Butter – unsalted again. You’ll want to make sure this is softened. Margarine can be used as well.
- Butter – unsalted butter is what you’ll want to use.
- Powdered sugar – this is also known as icing sugar or confectioner’s sugar.
- Cream cheese – at room temperature. I always use Philadelphia cream cheese.
- Vanilla extract – just a bit to add a touch of vanilla in the icing.
- Salt – a little bit is all you need to bring out all the flavors.
Amazing recipe!! I’ve made it a couple of times at home, and the buns have been absolutely delicious every time!
This copycat Cinnabons recipe makes cinnamon roll making a cinch! Just follow my easy instructions. It’s just as good as the real deal!
To start, you need to activate the yeast so that the cinnamon rolls rise! In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk along with a teaspoon of sugar. The sugar helps the yeast to properly bloom. Now, let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes or until it is foamy. However, if it doesn’t get foamy that means your yeast is dead and you can’t move forward with the recipe. You will need to buy new yeast.
With the yeast activated, you can begin the dough. Add the sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and flour to the bowl of a stand mixer. Then mix everything together until well combined. Next, pour the yeast mixture over the flour mixture. Now, use the dough hook to mix the yeast mixture into the dough until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the dough comes clean from the side of the bowl.
Next, the dough needs to rise so that the rolls are super soft. So transfer the dough to a well oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then set it in a warm environment for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
Now, let’s make the best part of the Cinnabon rolls! To make the filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Then grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
First, gently punch the dough to deflate. Then on a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll it out into a rectangle that is about 16 inches long, 12 inches wide, and ¼ inch in thickness. Next, spread ⅓ cup of soft butter evenly over the dough and then sprinkle the surface with the cinnamon sugar. Now, working carefully, from the long edge, roll the dough down to the bottom of the other edge tightly. It should look like a long log when you are done rolling.
Once you have a long dough log, you can cut it into 12 rolls. To do this, very carefully cut the dough using a sharp knife or serrated knife. You can also use dental floss.
After the cinnamon rolls are cut, place them in the prepared pan. Next, cover them with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Now, set the rolls in a warm place to rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Then while the rolls are rising, preheat your oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) to get it ready for baking.
Once the formed rolls have doubled in size, transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake them for about 20 minutes. The baking time can vary, but when done they should be golden brown and fully baked on the bottom.
While the rolls are baking you can make the cream cheese icing. Just add the butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Then beat everything together with an electric hand mixer or use a whisk until it’s smooth and fluffy.
Once baked, allow the rolls to cool for a bit when they come out of the oven. Then spread them with a nice thick layer of cream cheese frosting and serve.
Can I Speed Up The Dough Rise Time?
Yes, it is possible to speed up the dough’s rising time. To do this, heat your oven to 200℉ (95°C) and then turn it off. Now, place the dough in the oven with the door closed. The warm environment will encourage the dough to rise fairly quickly. Your oven may already have a PROOF function, if it does, use that.
What Else Can I Add To The Cinnamon Rolls?
You must keep the ratios of the cinnamon roll dough ingredients the same. This is really important in baking. However, you could add other warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom to the filling along with the cinnamon. You could also sprinkle some raisins over the filling before rolling up the dough. Another option is to use other types of icing.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your yeast has not expired. The number 1 question I get from my readers is “Why didn’t my dough rise?”. The answer always lies with your yeast. Test the yeast first before wasting ingredients. Try and bloom it and if it doesn’t get foamy, your yeast is no good.
- Don’t overheat your milk! Using milk that is too hot will kill your yeast and this will also prevent your dough from rising. Make sure your milk is between 98℉ and 105℉ (36.5°C to 40.5°C).
- Use room temperature butter. This is for both the dough and the filling. To do this, take the butter out of the fridge a few hours before you plan to make the dough. Give it enough time to soften.
Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls are great because they could be made ahead. Prepare everything as stated in the recipe up until step 10 where you place the rolls in the baking pan. Simply cover them up tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge overnight.
The rolls should continue to rise in the fridge but if by morning they have not doubled in size, turn your oven on to 200℉ until it warms up, then turn it off. Place the pan in the oven for about 30 to 45 minutes until the rolls double in size. Then you can bake them as instructed.
Can You Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
Absolutely! Prepare everything as stated in the recipe up until step 10 where you place the rolls in the baking pan. Wrap the pan in two layers of plastic wrap. Freeze for 8 hours up to 6 weeks. The night before you want to bake the rolls, thaw them out in the refrigerator, still wrapped. They will thaw overnight. Finish the rest of the steps to bake them.
Other Delicious Cinnamon Rolls Recipes To Try
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Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
Video
Ingredients
Dough
- 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
- 1 cup milk (lukewarm)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup butter (unsalted, softened, or margarine)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon (ground)
- ⅓ cup butter (unsalted, softened, or margarine)
Cream cheese icing
- 6 tablespoons butter (unsalted, softened, or margarine)
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar, or confectioner’s sugar)
- ¼ cup cream cheese (at room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- For the rolls, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar (you can take a teaspoon out of the ½ cup of sugar) in a large bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. If the yeast is good, it will start to froth up.
- To the bowl of your mixer add the sugar, butter or margarine, salt, eggs, and flour. Next, pour in the yeast mixture and mix well until well incorporated and the dough comes clean from the side of the bowl.
- Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, until it is approximately 16 inches long by 12 inches wide. It should be approximately ¼ inch in thickness. Spread the ⅓ cup of butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the sugar evenly over the surface of the dough. Working carefully, from the long edge, roll the dough down to the bottom of the other edge tightly. It should look like a long log when you are done rolling.
- Cut the roll into 1½ inch slices, and place in a lightly greased baking pan. You can also use floss to cut into slices, as seen in the video.
- Place the cut rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cooking time can vary greatly!
- While the rolls are baking make the icing by mixing all the icing ingredients and beat well with an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth.
- When the rolls are done, spread generously with icing.
Equipment
Notes
- Always check the expiration date on your yeast and make sure it hasn’t expired. All your yeast products whether it’s in a jar or a package should be stamped with a “Best if Used by” date. Always make sure you check this date, even when you purchase the yeast, who knows it could have been on the shelf past its expiry date.
- To keep your yeast fresh and longer lasting, unopened yeast packages or jars should be stored in a cool or dry place such as your cupboard. However, you can also store your yeast in the fridge or freezer. If you do store it in the freezer and need to use yeast for your baking, make sure you take out the amount you need and let it sit at room temperature for at least half hour before using.
- Once your yeast package or jar has been opened, you must refrigerate the yeast or freeze it in an airtight container.
- Make sure your milk is not too hot or it could kill the yeast which will cause your dough not to rise at all.
- If after dissolving the yeast in the warm milk, the yeast didn’t start to froth up, do not continue with the rolls, your dough will not rise.
- To freeze unbaked rolls, complete everything up to and including step 7, then wrap the pan in two layers of plastic wrap. Freeze for 8 hours up to 6 weeks. The night before you want to bake the rolls, thaw them out in the refrigerator, still wrapped. They will thaw overnight. Finish the rest of the steps to bake them.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Hubby loves cinnabon..so for experiment I bought a Cinnabon roll and made your recipe. Had him blind taste test both rolls…he thought yours’s were the real thing! Needless to say he does not buy them anymore…I make the recipe, freeze them, and when he has a craving take a couple out for him. They are soooo yummy and decadent!
That’s awesome!! So glad you guys enjoyed them!
Please help. I am really struggling with the yeast and dough mixture. I mixed the 1/4 cup of warm milk with the sugar with the yeast. And yes it did rise. But then why does the recipe call for one cup of milk? I put the yeast mixture in The rest of the dough recipe and then I added the rest of the milk?
It sounds like you’ve got the first part right with the yeast, sugar, and warm milk. The additional cup of milk is used in the dough mixture to create the right consistency and moisture for the rolls. After activating the yeast, you combine it with the rest of the ingredients, including the additional milk, to form the dough. This process ensures your dough has the proper texture and flavor. Keep going, you’re on the right track!
I absolutely love these cinnamon rolls! I bring them to every holiday now! For thanksgiving, my husbands side is celebrating a day after but i wanted to prepare them today because my i won’t have time on thanksgiving day (tmr). Do i go up to step 10 then keep them in the fridge for 2 days until I’m ready to bake?
Yes, that’s a great approach! Prepare the cinnamon rolls up to step 10, then cover and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to bake, let them come to room temperature and complete the final rise before baking. They’ll be a hit for the celebration! Enjoy!
Love making these. These have become a staple in our house for Christmas and other times throughout the year. So delicious.
Fantastic to hear they’ve become a staple in your home! Enjoy them during Christmas and all year round.
1st try making these and they were super easy to make. Mine turned out fluffy and light. The icing was more than enough to cover ALL the finished rolls. I would highly recommend trying this recipe.
That’s fantastic to hear! So glad your first attempt at the cinnamon rolls turned out fluffy and light, and that the icing was just right.
I have made these several times. They are delicious. I’m at my daughters house now and want to make some for them but I do not have all purpose flour. May I use bread flour?
Absolutely, you can use bread flour for the Cinnamon Rolls. The texture might be a bit chewier, but they’ll still be delicious.
Thank you! They came out great!
I love this recipe, it has become a family favorite. I have made it for my sons birthday and many Christmas mornings. Thank you for sharing.
So glad it’s become a family favorite and part of special occasions! Happy baking and celebrating!
These cinnamon rolls are delicious!!! I’ve made them a few times following your recipe, and now is my go to recipe. I use my bread machine and it makes it so much easier! I don’t subtitute anything but the yeast, I use bread machine instant yeast instead. I’ve used your dough recipe and experimented with different fillings, always delicious! Everyone I’ve made them for says they’re as good as cinnamon if not better. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
So glad to hear the recipe works well with your bread machine and that you’ve enjoyed experimenting with different fillings! It’s fantastic that everyone loves them.
Best Cinnabon rolls ever!!!!!!! I’ve doubled the butter in the dough and was super moist. Loved it!
Thrilled you enjoyed them with the extra butter for added moistness!
Stop this right nowwwww!!! These ARE CINNABON, my whole life has changed. This recipe deserves a 100/10. Im in disbelief at how good these cinnamon buns are. They absolutely equate to Cinnabon and are better in some slight way. I used vegan butter, dairy free thick cream cheese & macadamia milk and they were on pointtttttt. I am so finicky with recipes, I research, read comments / reviews to modify in case etc….. this recipe was a breeze if u follow it correctly. There should not be 4.6 / 5, I have never made anything homemade that felt identical to a franchise product . Thank uuuu so so much. This is a gem bookmark and I cant wait to shock people with how soft, fluffy and tasty these are! Personally, I used a little less icing sugar in the glaze, doesn’t hurt, it’s still pretty sweet and didn’t change the consistency. Either way MAKE THIS RECIPE. STOP looking for OTHERS! I promise 🙂
I’m absolutely thrilled to hear how much you loved the cinnamon rolls and that they turned out perfectly with your dairy-free adaptations! Your enthusiasm and success with the recipe are so heartwarming. Thanks for the fantastic feedback, and I’m glad this recipe is a keeper for you!
Can I make these tomorrow and refrigerate them unbaked until Sunday and bake and serve them then? I don’t have time to make them ahead on Saturday.
Certainly! You can definitely prepare your rolls a day in advance. Simply make them up to the point of placing them in the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate. The cold will slow the yeast, so they’ll rise slowly overnight. Before baking on Sunday, let them reach room temperature and finish rising, which might take a few hours. This way, you can manage your time effectively and still enjoy freshly baked rolls! 🍞🕒👩🍳
I’m using an aluminum baking pan for the cinnamon rolls and I’m noticing the bottoms and metals are not cooking all the way through but the tops are kind of getting over cooked. Is there a way to fix this?
Try lowering your oven rack. This will help the heat reach the bottom of the pan more effectively. You can also cover the rolls with aluminum foil partway through baking to prevent the tops from over-browning while the bottoms finish cooking.
What if you don’t have a dough hook?
If you don’t have a dough hook, simply knead the cinnamon roll dough by hand on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic, about 10-15 minutes. It’s a great workout for your arms and just as effective! 🍞💪👩🍳
I made these for the 1st time and they were delicious! My filling crystallized a bit, so will need to figure out why. Could you let me know your thoughts on what I need to do?
So glad you loved the cinnamon rolls! If your filling crystallized, it could be due to the sugar cooling down too quickly or not being fully dissolved. Next time, try melting your sugar with the butter over low heat until it’s completely smooth before spreading it on the dough. That should do the trick! 😊🌀
I have been using your recipe Jo for years now! It is my go to recipe for cinnamon buns! I no longer have to pay the ridiculous prices at Cinnabon! Thank you for sharing!! These turn out fantastic every time!!! Nothing else to say other than an easy 5 stars all the way!
Wow, what a compliment! I’m thrilled to hear that my recipe has been a staple in your kitchen for years. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for the fantastic 5-star review! Happy baking!
I am literally making a batch right now! My dough is rising for the first time. Can’t wait! I recently moved and can’t wait to share these fantastic little treasures with the new neighbors! Honestly, whenever I look for a new recipe, if one of the options that pops up is from Jocooks.com, it will be the FIRST recipe I try every time! I honestly don’t think I have ever been disappointed with any of your recipes Jo!! They are always easy to follow and turn out fantastic every single time! Thank you for sharing your skills!
Thank you for the kind words! So glad you love the recipes. Enjoy those cinnamon rolls! 😊
Help!! Made these twice in one week and they are hard and crumbly. The first time I suspected the yeast was bad so we tossed the batch. Purchased new yeast for the second go and the same thing hard and crumbly.
What could be wrong?
I’m sorry to hear that! It’s disappointing when a bake doesn’t turn out as hoped. A few things could be affecting the texture:
Over-mixing the dough: This can develop too much gluten, making the rolls tough.
Not enough liquid: Make sure you’re measuring the ingredients accurately. Even a little less liquid can make a difference.
Proofing time: Make sure the dough rises adequately both before and after shaping the rolls.
I hope this helps. Don’t get discouraged; baking can be a bit of trial and error sometimes. I appreciate you giving the recipe a try! 😊🍞❤️