Soft Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Glaze (Printable Version)

Soft, fluffy spiraled buns with cinnamon sugar filling and vanilla glaze

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
04 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
05 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 large egg, room temperature
07 - ½ tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2–3 tbsp milk
13 - ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Combine lukewarm milk and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture becomes frothy and activated.
02 - Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add melted butter, egg, and yeast mixture. Stir until dough forms and pulls away from sides.
03 - Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down risen dough and roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle on floured surface.
05 - Spread softened butter evenly over dough surface. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle mixture uniformly over buttered dough.
06 - Starting from the long side, roll dough tightly into a log. Using serrated knife or dental floss, slice into 12 equal pieces.
07 - Arrange rolls in greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy and doubled in size.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
09 - Bake for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - While rolls cool slightly, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle generously over warm rolls before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough rises into these impossibly soft pillow like layers that practically melt in your mouth
  • That moment when you pull them from the oven and the whole house smells like warm cinnamon magic
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients matter especially the egg and softened butter
  • Dont rush the rising time or your rolls will be dense instead of fluffy
  • Let them cool just 10 minutes before glazing or it will all slide right off
03 -
  • Use unflavored dental floss to slice clean rolls without squishing the dough
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning
  • Warm your glaze slightly if it firms up before you finish drizzling
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