Buttery, brioche dough makes these cinnamon rolls the best ever. Roll them up with a cinnamon filling, bake and drizzle with an easy icing for a spectacular treat.
With a drizzle of powdered sugar glaze, this just may be the ultimate cinnamon roll recipe. Perfect for weekend company, Mother’s Day or any darn day of the week! 
I first made these cinnamon rolls one year during Lent. Nick and I both gave up desserts for a full 40 days. He, though, had been hounding me for weeks to make cinnamon rolls. We were both missing our sweets!
This was my third recipe attempt this winter and these were definitely the BEST cinnamon rolls of all that I tried. The tender, buttery dough was exquisite and all these needed with a little drizzle of a powdered sugar glaze as a finishing touch.
Bill’s grandmother used to make dinner rolls, bread, pies and/or cinnamon rolls from scratch every weekend. She lived with his family for years, and they were all spoiled by her incredible baked goods.
Baking without a recipe, she made the dough by feel alone. Unfortunately, that means there were no recipes left behind.
I can’t say my family is extremely picky when it comes to this breakfast treat. For years and years, we had a stash of Sara Lee frozen cinnamon rolls that just took a zap in the microwave before chowing down.
There may not have been visible tears when these were discontinued, but, I promise, there was much sadness. But using a Kitchen Aid mixer with a dough hook, homemade cinnamon rolls aren’t that daunting. I hope you’ll give this recipe for the best cinnamon rolls a try.
Tips for Making Yeast Dough:
– Check your yeast package for an expiration date. Do not use expired yeast. It’s frustrating when you have the dough made and it won’t rise (or “proof”) due to old, outdated yeast.
– Use an instant thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) for checking the temperature of your warm liquids. If the liquid is too hot (above 120º), it will kill the yeast. The resulting rolls will be dense and disappointing!
– Salt also kills yeast, so it’s always added along with the flour and not directly into the yeast mixture.
– Kneading is imperative to developing the gluten and helps create a smooth, elastic dough. I love using my dough hook for a super easy way to knead.
– There are typically two proofing times. First the dough is placed in a greased bowl, covered and left in a warm spot until it doubles in size. The second is a after the dough is shaped into rolls or loaves. Do not hurry this process along by placing the dough into a too hot location. The resulting texture of the bread will suffer. Warm room temperature (85º or so) works well. You can place a pan of hot water into your oven which will gently warm the space, and use that space to proof your dough.
– The internal temperature of a fully baked yeast bread should be between 195 and 210º depending on the type of bread.
Click here for the filling recipe.
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Best Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 12 pieces
Filling:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Glaze:
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the warm milk and yeast in a bowl and whisk until the yeast dissolves. Mix in the eggs.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Mix to combine. With the mixer on low, slowly add the warm milk mixture and continue mixing until the dough comes together, about 1 minute.
- Increase speed to medium and add the butter one piece at a time until incorporated. Switch to the dough hook and continue mixing until the dough is smooth and comes away from the sides of the bowl, about 10 minutes.
- Knead the dough a few times on a lightly floured surface and shape it into a smooth ball. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 2 hours.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the filling. Punch down the dough and roll it into an 18-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top and press in gently.
- Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam to seal. Using a sharp knife or a piece of dental floss, cut the roll into 12 equal pieces. Place cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown.
- While the rolls bake, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together in a bowl. Let the rolls cool for about 15 minutes, then drizzle the glaze over the top with a spoon. Serve warm.
Notes
Check your yeast’s expiration date before you start — expired yeast will not rise properly and the rolls will be dense. Warm milk should be between 100–110°F; too hot kills the yeast. Do not hurry the proofing by placing the dough somewhere too hot; slow, warm room-temperature proofing gives the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baking
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of dough do I need to make these cinnamon rolls?
You will need a buttery brioche dough, which is essential for achieving the tender texture of the rolls.
How do I prepare the cinnamon filling for these rolls?
The cinnamon filling is made by rolling the brioche dough with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking.
What ingredients are used for the icing on the cinnamon rolls?
The icing is a simple powdered sugar glaze, made with powdered sugar and a little bit of milk to achieve the desired consistency.
