Making perfect cinnamon rolls at home is easy with the right ingredients and method. Here’s a simple guide to get soft, gooey cinnamon rolls that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a small bowl, warm the milk to about 110°F. Add sugar and active dry yeast to the milk. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step activates the yeast.
In a larger bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes. This makes the dough smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. It should double in size.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll the dough into a rectangle, about 12×9 inches.
Step 5: Add Cinnamon Filling
Spread melted butter over the rolled dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
Step 6: Roll and Slice
Starting from the long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Slice the rolled dough into 12 even pieces. Place them in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll.
Step 7: Second Rise
Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes. This helps them become soft and fluffy.
Step 8: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.
Step 9: Add Icing
While the rolls bake, make the icing by mixing powdered sugar, a little milk, and vanilla extract. Once the rolls are done, drizzle the icing over the hot rolls.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls:
- Let the dough rise properly: Don’t rush the rising process.
- Use fresh yeast: This ensures the dough will rise well.
- Don’t overfill the rolls: Use the right amount of filling to prevent a mess.
With this simple method, you’ll have perfect cinnamon rolls that are soft, sweet, and gooey—just like the ones from a bakery. Enjoy them fresh from the oven!
