Soft Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Glaze (Printable)

Fluffy spiraled buns with cinnamon sugar filling and vanilla glaze, ideal for breakfast or brunch.

# 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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dough comes together with ingredients you already have in your pantry, no special trips needed
  • These rolls freeze beautifully unbaked, letting you wake up to fresh homemade breakfast on busy weekdays
02 -
  • Pat yourself on the back for the kneading, but do not skip it, this step develops the gluten structure that makes the rolls fluffy instead of dense
  • Room temperature ingredients incorporate better, so take your egg and butter out about 30 minutes before starting
03 -
  • A warm oven with just the light on creates the perfect proofing environment if your kitchen runs cool
  • Brush the baked rolls with a little melted butter right after they come out of the oven for extra softness
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