freshly baked cinnamon rolls

Freshly Baked Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Gooey & Irresistible)

There’s nothing quite like freshly baked cinnamon rolls—warm, fluffy, and overflowing with sweet cinnamon sugar. The aroma alone is enough to fill your home with comfort. These rolls are soft, tender, and topped with a simple glaze that melts into the spirals, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat.

This recipe is designed for home bakers who want bakery-quality cinnamon rolls without complicated techniques.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, pillowy dough with perfect rise

• Sweet, gooey cinnamon filling

• Easy-to-make glaze

• Ideal for family breakfasts or brunches

• Can be made ahead and frozen

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Ingredients

Dough

• 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar

• 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast

• 1 tsp salt

• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk

• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

Cinnamon Filling

• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar

• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tbsp milk or cream

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

2. Add warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. Cover and let rise for 1–1½ hours, until doubled in size.

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Step 2: Prepare the Filling

1. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon.

2. Set aside the softened butter.

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Step 3: Shape the Rolls

1. Roll dough into a rectangle, about 30×40 cm (12×16 in).

2. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.

3. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the butter.

4. Roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log.

5. Cut into 10–12 rolls and place in a greased baking dish.

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Step 4: Second Rise

1. Cover and let rolls rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

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Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.

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Step 6: Glaze

1. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

2. Drizzle over warm rolls so the glaze melts into the spirals.

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Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

• Use room-temperature ingredients for better dough rise

• Don’t over-flour the dough to keep rolls soft

• Slightly underbake for extra gooey centers

• Glaze while rolls are warm for maximum flavor

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Variations

• Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace glaze with cream cheese frosting

• Nutty Rolls: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to filling

• Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add finely diced apples for fruity sweetness

• Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Add chocolate chips to the filling

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Storage & Freezing

• Store at room temperature for 2 days

• Refrigerate for up to 4 days

• Freeze unbaked rolls in the dish for up to 2 months; thaw, rise, and bake when ready

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm for breakfast, brunch, or dessert

• Pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate

• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat

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Final Thoughts

Freshly baked cinnamon rolls are a timeless, comforting treat. Soft, tender, and infused with cinnamon sugar, they’re perfect for cozy mornings or special occasions. The gooey interior and warm, sweet aroma make them impossible to resist.