Easiest Ever Cinnamon Rolls: A Sweet Treat for Any Occasion

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Dish

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Make the Dough

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually stir in the milk and melted butter until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for 1–2 minutes until smooth.

3. Roll Out the Dough

• Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 12×8 inches (30×20 cm).

4. Add the Filling

• Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
• In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered dough.

5. Roll and Slice

• Starting from the longer side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
• Slice the log into 9–12 even pieces using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for clean cuts.

6. Arrange and Bake

• Place the cinnamon rolls cut side up in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll for expansion.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

7. Make the Glaze

• While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.

8. Glaze and Serve

• Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

1. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Keep the dough tender by mixing until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough rolls.
2. Room Temperature Butter for Filling: Using softened butter helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick evenly to the dough.
3. Prevent Burning: Check the rolls at the 20-minute mark to ensure they don’t over-brown. If needed, cover loosely with foil for the remaining bake time.
4. Customize the Glaze: Add a dash of maple syrup, cream cheese, or even espresso to elevate the flavor.

Variations to Try

• Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling for added crunch.
• Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add finely diced apples to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a fruity twist.
• Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Replace the cinnamon-sugar filling with a mix of cocoa powder and brown sugar.
• Pumpkin Spice Rolls: Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice and add a dollop of pumpkin puree to the filling.