These large cinnamon rolls are the perfect combination of soft, sweet bread, cinnamon and brown sugar, baked with love and smothered in a delicious buttercream icing. We love to eat them on a Sunday morning together as a family or sometimes when we have breakfast for dinner during the week.
Cinnamon Rolls: Our Family Staple
So many of you have asked for my Cinnamon Roll Recipe after I posted them on Instagram, so I wanted to give it to you! These pictures are actually my Apple Pie Cinnamon rolls, so I will have to update this post with better pictures when I have them.
Growing up, cinnamon rolls were a staple in our home. I am the oldest of 6 kids, and every one of us had friends begging to come over when my mom made cinnamon rolls. She would always make a couple big pans at a time (and the cinnamon rolls are huge too!) and they would be gone in a matter of minutes. Now, she has a bakery where her whole town flocks to purchase them.
This is my own recipe (I wouldn't give away her secret recipes😉) but it is one that I have been using for many years that my little family absolutely loves! My 6 year old always asks for them for his birthday as his cake. They are so big and delicious.
Cinnamon Roll Baking Tips
The secret to any good recipe is using the best ingredients you can find, so use real butter and vanilla with this one if you have it. The rest of the ingredients are just simple staples I always keep on hand- flour, sugar, yeast, etc. so they are easy to whip up at a moment's notice.
The biggest tip I can give you, as with any bread recipe, is to look more for dough consistency than exact flour measurement. You want the dough to no longer be sticky, but still be nice and soft. When I measure my flour, I spoon it into the measuring cup and I add the last couple of cups in one at a time, mixing well in between. This will ensure you don't add too much flour.
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- 2 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 5-6 cups flour
- 1 stick butter, room temperature (not melted) (1/2 cup)
- 1 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 + tsp. ground cinnamon
Icing
- 1 stick butter, room temperature (not melted) (1/2 cup)
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 5 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
Cinnamon Rolls
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In a mixing bowl (I use this one), mix the 1/3 cup sugar, warm water and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes while yeast proofs.
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Mix in oil, salt, and 3 cups of the flour. Mix for 2 minutes.
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Add remaining 2 cups of flour, mixing until well combined. If dough is still too sticky (it should be soft to the touch, but not overly sticky) add another cup or more of flour until it is soft but not sticky. Turn mixer on a medium speed for another 2 minutes, allowing it to knead the dough.
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Spray a clean surface with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle lightly with flour. dump dough out onto the surface. Flip dough so both sides have a light layer of flour on them. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out to be about 16 x 20.″
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Smoosh softened (not melted) butter around to coat the dough rectangle. I use my hands for this. Sprinkle brown sugar all over the top of the butter. Sprinkle cinnamon evenly on top of that. **note- I usually just eyeball the brown sugar and cinnamon so use your heart on this one if you want!
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Starting on the smaller side, gently roll until your dough is one long (16") rolled tube. Use dental floss technique to cut into 12 evenly sized rolls.
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Place on a cookie sheet and place in a warm oven for 20 minutes or so until the rolls double in size. Then crank up the oven to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until beautifully golden brown.
Icing
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While cinnamon rolls are cooling slightly, mix together Icing. Whip butter, powdered sugar, whole milk and vanilla until nice and smooth and delicious. Smother rolls with icing while very warm (not super hot) and enjoy!
I hope you love these cinnamon rolls as much as we do! I will update this post soon with different pictures, but I wanted to get the recipe to you as soon as possible.
Freda Carroll
These look delicious!
I have missed your blog posts and I hope you and your family are well.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe
Kristen Whitby
What a kind thing to say! Thank you!
Sonya
What a yummy activity to do with the kids right now!
Sonya
Yum! This looks like a fun thing to make with children home from school.
Best wishes,
Sonya