The BEST Homemade Yeast Cinnamon Rolls – Easy Recipe!

The BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls That is Easy to Make!

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Easy and Delicious Homemade Yeast Cinnamon Rolls

These homemade cinnamon rolls with yeast are the ultimate treat – soft, fluffy, and gooey, just like Cinnabon! This easy recipe is perfect for a special breakfast or holiday treat. With simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, you can create the best cinnamon rolls from scratch in just a few steps. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide and tips for customizing your rolls, whether you prefer a gluten-free or dairy-free version!


yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

14 Years on My Blog Recipe:

This is one of the oldest yet most popular recipes on my blog! It’s been up for about 14 years, but I figured I’d give it a little update since it’s been shoved into the deep and dark archives of this blog. I am going to make these cinnamon rolls tomorrow with a new video, too! You can look out for that. I made these cinnamon rolls again on Christmas morning for a few neighbors, us, and my parents. I only make them a few times a year, but every time it’s pure magic! 

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Cinnamon Roll Tradition

My mom always had cinnamon rolls for us on the first day of school and Christmas morning. It’s the small things in life that bring the most joy.

I’ve never been a big lover of cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting. I prefer them with buttercream, and that’s why I love these cinnamon rolls so much!

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

How to Customize Cinnamon Rolls

Customize Your Cinnamon Rolls (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Savory Options)

Add custom spices– You can add nutmeg, cloves, orange zest, and other spices to add a sophisticated taste to your cinnamon rolls. In the fall, you can add pumpkin purée to the frosting.

Make it fruity – You can totally make these cinnamon rolls perfect for summer months by adding blueberries to the filling, lemon zest, and even white chocolate chips!

Make them dairy-free – That’s right! You can use oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk with this recipe! The Earth Balance vegan butter works as a great substitute in the frosting and the dough.

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

For the vanilla icing lovers…

If you’re team extra icing, definitely double up the recipe! It tastes so good that you’ll want to dip your fingers right into the bowl before getting to the actual cinnamon roll. 

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

More Sweet Recipes You’ll Love:

Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake
Healthy Peach Crumble Dessert
Frosted Banana Bars with Vanilla Buttercream
Gooey Cinnamon Buns
Famous Better Homes & Gardens 1963 Banana Bread
The Best Blueberry Muffins
Chocolate Cottage Cheese Pudding
Spiced Zucchini Bread
The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Cinnamon Roll Ingredients for Homemade Yeast Rolls

Homemade Cinnamon Roll Ingredients:

  • Dough:
    • Warm Filtered Water (can be from your refrigerator!)
    • Active Dry Yeast (1/4-ounce packets)
    • Salt
    • Sugar
    • Melted Unsalted Butter
    • Flour
    • Eggs
yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking
  • Filling:
    • Melted Unsalted Butter
    • Brown Sugar
    • Sugar
    • Ground Cinnamon
    • Flour
    • Pinch of Salt
yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking
  • Icing:
    • Butter
    • Powdered Sugar (or more)
    • Milk (or more, as needed)
    • Vanilla Extract
yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

How to Make THE BEST pillowy soft yeast cinnamon rolls:

How to Make Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Once dissolved, add sugar and mix well. Stir in the melted butter and 3 cups of flour.
  • Whisk eggs in a separate bowl and add to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the remaining flour and salt until the dough forms.
  • Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, then cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or up to an hour.

Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

Melt the butter and mix it with the brown sugar, sugar, flour, and sea salt.

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Prepare & Bake:

Once the dough has doubled in size, pour it over a floured surface and roll it into a rectangular shape.

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Roll the dough tightly, cut into 2-inch rolls, prepare baking dish with flour and butter, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until lightly golden.

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Perfect Cinnamon Roll Icing (Tastes Like Cinnabon!)

Frost:

  • While the rolls bake, prepare the buttercream frosting. Spread on warm rolls and enjoy!
yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

Why These Are the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

THE BEST:

  • Soft and Fluffy Every Time: The yeast-based dough ensures the cinnamon rolls come out light, airy, and perfectly tender for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Simple Ingredients: With just pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, you can easily make these without a trip to the store.
  • Customizable Frosting: The rich buttercream frosting can be tailored to your liking, making it easy to switch up flavors like vanilla, orange, or classic Cinnabon-style.
  • Customizable Ingredients: Whether you need them gluten-free, dairy-free, or even savory, this recipe can be easily customized to suit any preference.
  • Family Favorite Tradition: This recipe has been a go-to for years, loved for special occasions like Christmas morning, and guaranteed to impress anyone who tries it!
yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

I made a few batches of cinnamon rolls using baking sheets and also using casserole dishes to bring over to the neighbor’s house on Christmas morning. 

yeast cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll icing, easy cinnamon rolls, 2 hour recipe, breakfast, dry active yeast rolls, frosted cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, pillowy, vanilla buttercream icing, baking

The BEST Homemade Yeast Cinnamon Rolls that are EASY to Make!

Taralynn
This simple yeast cinnamon roll recipe creates soft, fluffy, and gooey rolls with an irresistible cinnamon sugar filling and buttercream frosting.
5 from 21 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Warm Water
  • 2 Packages Active Dry Yeast 1/4 ounce packets
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • ½ Cup Sugar
  • Cup Butter, Melted unsalted
  • 6 Cups Flour
  • 2 Large Eggs
Filling
  • 5 Tablespoons Melted Butter unsalted
  • 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 Pinch Sea Salt
Frosting
  • ½ Cup Butter
  • 4 Cups Powdered Sugar or more
  • 5 Tbsps Milk or more
  • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Instructions
 

Cinnamon Roll Dough

  • Mix yeast and warm water in a large bowl. Once the yeast is dissolved, pour in the sugar and combine well. Mix in ⅓ cup of melted butter and only 3 cups of the flour.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together, and then add them to the yeast mixing bowl with the yeast. Once the eggs are mixed in, add the remaining flour and salt.
    Knead with hands or spoon for about 5 to 7 minutes.
    Cover the dough with a towel on top. Place the dough in a warm area for about 45-minutes to an hour to rise (should double in size)

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

  • Melt the butter, and fold in the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and flour.

Prepare Cinnamon Rolls for Baking

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    Sprinkle flour on your surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle.
    Once the dough is rolled out, spread filling evenly over the top.
  • Tightly but gently, roll the dough layer up. Cut the rolls about 2 inches thick using a dough cutter.
    Place the rolls in a prepared baking dish. Use a glass or ceramic dish greased with butter and flour.
  • Bake 30 to 40 minutes.

Cinnamon Roll Icing

  • In a mixing bowl, add melted butter (if you don't want to melt the butter, use an electric mixer), powdered sugar, and stir lightly.
    Slowly mix in the milk and vanilla.
    If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add more milk.
    Frost the cinnamon rolls when they are warm (at least 15 minutes after removing from hot oven.)
Keyword cinnamon rolls, breakfast, baked goods, baking, breakfast rolls, frosted, frosting, homemade, the best cinnamon rolls,
Tried this recipe?Leave a Rating!

I cannot wait for you to try these out (& maybe again for some of you!)

578Shares

Keep Up with Taralynn

5 from 21 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Recipe




20 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just wanna say I made these yesterday and they are the best freakin rolls I have ever eaten. They really do taste like Cinnibon! Problem is, I have so much left over and no more people to give them to so I keep eating them! 😡 Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Awesome recipe. Made them a week ago (half the recipe) and unfortunately ate them all by myself ;D just way too good! 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    I have never craved cinnamon rolls so much in all my life! 😮 they look so good xx

  4. 5 stars
    my grandma made these for me and they were so close to being cinnabon.

  5. 5 stars
    This is exactly what I’m goint to cook tomorrow morning 🙂

  6. At what stage do you freeze them? After you have cut all the rolls? Then do you thaw them before cooking?

    1. Definitely after you cut all the rolls. I let them sit out for about three hours and then bake.

  7. 5 stars
    These are incredible!! made them today (gluten and dairy free) came out perfect, thank you for including the swaps made it so much easier. I made cinnamon rolls a lot for events but had not tried your recipe for them gf/df so it was nice to eat them! I think bacon with maple syrup drizzled over the top would be delightful. one breakfast tradition my mum has been doing for ever is blueberry pancakes on Christmas morning as its my grandmothers birthday that day so we have her favourite meal for breakfast. I also made the blueberry muffins with the flaky streusel, oh they are so good, no wonder my staff nabbed them all when I took them to work.

    1. Hi, Harriet!

      I’m so so so happy you loved this recipe! Your instagram photo looked so dreamy! I love that you added the extra frosting 😋

      It’s crazy how good bacon is with sweet breakfast foods. I love having bacon with syrup!

      I’m happy you finally had the chance to try those muffins! They looked scrumptious and I always appreciate you sending me your recipe pics!

      & you can never go wrong with blueberry muffins! Love that tradition ♥️

  8. 5 stars
    I have not gotten to make the cinnamon rolls yet but I’m so pumped to have found this recipe. Long time reader and first time commenter. My husband has celiac and my little boy loves cinnamon rolls at school so I think this will be the perfect combo and can’t wait to try it.

    1. Yay! I’m so so so happy to hear that! Please let me know what you think of the recipe! 😊

  9. 5 stars
    Cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning was always a tradition in my house growing up. I’ve never made then from scratch but I really want too, and I think that I will with this recipe! My mom also makes almond and pistachio rolls and they are so good! I can’t wait to make this recipe, I am loving all the recipes you have been posting, I hope you’ll do some more cooking with you videos, I love watching them in the morning while enjoying my coffee…also my storyville coffee arrived the other day and I am so excited!

    1. Thanks Asheton! I definitely will soon!!! ♥️ I’ve been loving cooking lately!

      hope you enjoy these!!

  10. 5 stars
    These are DELISH! The sour from the dough makes the frosting taste like cream cheese frosting. These are the best cinnamon rolls and very filling.

  11. Simply Someone says:

    Oooh these look so beautiful. In my country we make something called date rolls where the paste is dates. And they’re then frozen. And so on. In your cinnamon rolls, do you prefer using seylany (ceylon) cinnamon or cassia cinnamon usually?

  12. 5 stars
    Holy Moly. I know this is an older recipe of yours but it’s our favorite! I made them again for Christmas and my family went nuts. I can’t get on the sourdough bandwagon yet because im scared so thank you for the yeast alternative!