Name: Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup warm water, 110°F; 1 (¼-ounce) package active dry yeast or instant yeast; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; ⅓ cup melted butter or coconut oil, plus more for brushing; ½ cup milk, at room temperature; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading; ½ cup dark brown sugar; 1½ tablespoons cinnamon; 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted; 3 to 4 tablespoons milk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to warm, gooey cinnamon rolls filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas, you’re in for a treat. This Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe is my absolute favorite way to make cinnamon rolls from scratch — soft, fluffy dough wrapped around a luscious cinnamon filling, all topped with a sweet and creamy glaze that makes every bite heavenly. Trust me, once you try this, it’s hard to go back to store-bought rolls.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Soft Dough: The dough is super tender and easy to work with, thanks to the warm milk and butter.
Balanced Sweetness: The cinnamon sugar filling hits just the right note—not too sweet, just comfort food level.
Versatile Glaze Options: Whether you want a classic glaze or creamy frosting, this recipe has you covered.
Family Favorite: Once you make these, your family will beg for them regularly—I promise from experience!

A white rectangular baking dish holds twelve cinnamon rolls arranged in a 3 by 4 grid. Each roll shows a spiral pattern with light brown dough and darker brown cinnamon filling. A woman's hand is spreading smooth white frosting over the center rolls with a silver spreading knife. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a folded blue cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze, cinnamon roll recipe, easy cinnamon rolls, fluffy cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon roll glaze

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays a key role in creating that iconic cinnamon roll experience. Friendly tip: fresh yeast and real butter make a world of difference, but I’ll share alternatives if you’re pressed for time or prefer a dairy-free option.

Flat lay of dark brown sugar piled next to a heap of ground cinnamon sticks, golden melted butter pooled softly, a small splash of creamy milk, smooth white powdered sugar dusted lightly, a few cubes of cream cheese, and a scattering of all-purpose flour, all beautifully arranged with warm golden hues and soft shadows, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze, cinnamon roll recipe, easy cinnamon rolls, fluffy cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon roll glaze

Warm water: Activates the yeast; make sure it’s around 110°F—too hot can kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it properly.
Active dry yeast: The magic starter for your dough’s rise. Instant yeast is also fine if that’s what you have.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
Melted butter or coconut oil: Adds richness and moisture; I love butter for classic flavor but coconut oil works if you want a vegan twist.
Milk: Use at room temperature to keep the yeast happy and dough tender.
Sea salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough; I often add a bit more while kneading if the dough feels sticky.
Dark brown sugar: Deep, molasses flavor that makes the cinnamon filling shine.
Cinnamon: The star spice for that signature aroma and warmth.
Powdered sugar: For the glaze; sifting it helps achieve a smooth finish.
Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely fragrant touch to the glaze.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe is pretty flexible. You can easily tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs—and each time feels like a new delicious adventure.

Vegan version: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a plant-based milk; I once made these for a brunch, and even non-vegans didn’t notice the difference!
Adding nuts or raisins: I sometimes sprinkle chopped pecans or raisins into the filling for a bit of crunch and extra sweetness—totally optional but so good.
Cream Cheese Frosting instead of glaze: For an extra indulgent finish, I switch up the glaze with cream cheese frosting, which my kids absolutely adore.
Spice it up: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for a twist on the classic flavor.

How to Make Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by mixing warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar in a small bowl. I like to give it a quick stir and then set it aside for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s foamy—this tells you the yeast is alive and kicking, which is crucial for fluffy rolls. If your mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old or the water temperature was off, so fresh yeast or adjusting the warmth might be needed.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, room-temperature milk, sugar, and salt. Stir in your foamy yeast mixture. Then, pour the flour into a large bowl and add the wet ingredients. The dough will be sticky at this point—that’s normal! I usually use my hands to mix and then turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead it for 3 to 4 minutes until it smooths out. Don’t be tempted to add too much flour at first; the dough should be soft but not overly sticky or dry.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Brush a large bowl with butter to prevent sticking and set your dough ball inside. Cover it with plastic wrap and place it somewhere warm—like on top of your oven or near a sunny window. This is when the magic happens! It should double in size in about an hour. Patience here really pays off in how light and fluffy the rolls will be.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. That combo smells so good that I usually have to remind myself to wait until the rolls are ready to bake before sneaking a taste.

Step 5: Roll and Fill the Dough

After punching down the dough, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 20×14 inches. Brush the softened dough with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over it, leaving about ½ inch clear at the edges to help seal the log later. This part is so satisfying—you’re pretty much building the masterpiece!

Step 6: Cut and Rise Again

Starting at one of the shorter ends, roll the dough tightly into a log. With a sharp knife, slice the log into 12 even rolls. I find using dental floss instead of a knife works like a charm for clean cuts without squashing your rolls. Arrange them cut-side up in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for another hour. This second rise really makes the rolls fluffy and pull-apart soft.

Step 7: Bake and Glaze

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until they’re lightly golden on top. While they’re cooling for about 10 minutes, whip up the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze seems thick, just add a little more milk—it should drizzle easily. Then, drizzle generously over the warm cinnamon rolls for that perfect finishing touch.

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Pro Tips for Making Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe

Warm Milk is Key: Using room-temperature milk helps activate the yeast gently without killing it.
Don’t Skip the Second Rise: It makes all the difference in fluffiness—your patience here will pay off deliciously.
Use Dental Floss to Slice: For neat, round rolls without squishing, plain floss works better than a knife.
Glaze While Warm: Drizzle the glaze when rolls are warm but not hot to get that perfect glossy finish without melting it away.

How to Serve Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe

Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the cinnamon sugar glaze, but sometimes I sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or even a few chopped pecans right after glazing. For a fancy brunch, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of cream cheese frosting makes it extra special. These little touches add a lovely visual and flavor boost without overwhelming the rolls.

Side Dishes

Classic cinnamon rolls go great with fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples to cut through the sweetness. For a full breakfast, I like pairing them with scrambled eggs or a simple yogurt parfait. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea is almost mandatory, in my opinion—it’s the perfect companion to these indulgent treats.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged cinnamon rolls in a wreath shape on a round pan, which looks impressive but is super easy to do. You can also bake smaller rolls for bite-sized snacks at parties or drizzle colorful icing for holidays. I once topped them with chopped candied ginger for a spicy-sweet surprise, and my guests couldn’t stop talking about it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, the fridge works but can dry them out a bit, so I prefer room temp and reheating later. I’ve found that tightly sealing them keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out.

Freezing

For longer storage, I like to freeze unbaked rolls after the first rise. I slice them, place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, I let them thaw and rise before popping them in the oven. Baked rolls freeze well too—wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, I reheat rolls in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, covering loosely with foil to keep moisture in. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make them a bit gummy. Adding a pat of butter on top before reheating gives an extra boost of richness.

FAQs

Can I make Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe without yeast?

While traditional cinnamon rolls rely on yeast for that fluffy texture, you can find quick bread versions using baking powder or soda. However, this recipe is specifically designed for yeast to achieve the soft, airy dough classic cinnamon rolls are known for.
How long can I store baked cinnamon rolls?

Baked rolls stored in an airtight container at room temperature stay fresh for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freezing is best, and you can safely keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
What can I substitute for milk in this recipe?

You can use any plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk at room temperature if you’re dairy-free. Just be mindful that some milks might slightly alter the flavor but won’t affect the rise much.
Can I prepare this recipe the night before baking?

Absolutely! After rolling and slicing the dough, cover and refrigerate overnight. The rolls will slowly rise in the fridge. Just bring them to room temperature before baking, and you might need to add a bit of extra rising time.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?

While this recipe uses all-purpose flour, you can experiment with gluten-free blends designed for yeast breads. Keep in mind gluten-free dough behaves differently, so texture might change. Adding xanthan gum can help improve elasticity.

Final Thoughts

Making these Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze Recipe has become a bit of a weekend ritual for me, and every time I’m reminded why—it’s the perfect blend of buttery, cinnamon-spiced goodness wrapped in a soft dough that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re baking them for a special breakfast or a cozy snack, I know you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious results as much as I do. So grab your apron and treat yourself—once you make these, you might just find cinnamon rolls becoming your new happy place.