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Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

4.6 from 144 votes
Huge fluffy cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese frosting that stay soft for days. They really are the best ever!
photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish
Published on , Updated November 1, 2024
4.6 from 144 votes

Huge fluffy cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese frosting that stay soft for days. They really are the best ever!

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I try not to exaggerate about the recipes I share on this blog, because I know the way a recipe turns out in my kitchen is not exactly the way it will turn out in your kitchen. And opinions on food are really a matter of…..well, opinion.

But these really are the Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls! Of course, just because I think something is the “best ever” doesn’t mean you will.

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Thank you for the fantastic recipe! I made them this Christmas and last year also. I do wrap the rolls tightly in foil at the rising stage and put them overnight in the fridge, then remove from fridge and let rise, covered, for 2 hours before baking. They came out perfectly. My family loves them!!

Brooke

5-star rating

Having said that, I will tell you that I have tried MANY cinnamon roll recipes over the years (many of those also claiming to be the best ever) and I’ve never found one that I thought was special enough to share here.

Until now. Everyone in the family agreed. They were the best cinnamon rolls they’d ever had!

Of course, they do require a few hours of your time. But the best things in life take time.

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

They’re pretty big (yes, you really do bake 12 on a rimmed cookie sheet) but none of us has had trouble eating them.

The dough is just about perfect, and the rolls still taste soft and fresh the next day. The secret is not to add too much flour.

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The rolls were big, fluffy and delicious. I doubled the icing–because who doesn’t love more icing–and they were gone in 24 hours. Thank you for sharing. They are going to be a family favorite for sure!

Julie

5-star rating

Your dough should be soft and slightly sticky without leaving too much residue on your fingers. And did I mention the maple cream cheese frosting?

I highly recommend covering cooled rolls with a paper towel and putting them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. They taste like they just came out of the oven!

Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Yeast
  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Cream cheese
  • Vanilla
  • Maple syrup
  • Powdered sugar
Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Huge fluffy cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese frosting that stay soft for days. They really are the best ever!
4.57 from 144 votes
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Course: Breads
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 1 dozen
Calories: 639kcal
Author: Danelle

Ingredients 

For the rolls

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 2 eggs
  • 5 1/2 to 6 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup butter very soft
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk or as needed for consistency

Instructions

  • To make the dough, heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it is just simmering and bubbles being to form around the edge of the pan. Pour the milk into the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook.
  • Add the butter, sugar and salt. Mix on low speed until the butter is melted. Let the mixture cool until warm but not hot. Add the yeast and eggs and mix until combined.
  • Gradually add the flour until the dough clears the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Knead for 2-3 minutes.
  • Transfer the dough to a large, lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or lightly greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about one hour.
  • Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×12 inches. Spread 1/2 cup softened butter over the dough.
  • Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the dough. Pat it in slightly with the palms of your hands.
  • Starting with a long end, roll up the dough as tightly as possible, pinching the seam lightly to seal.
  • Using a serrated knife, cut the roll in half. Then cut each half in half again (forming four equal portions). Cut each of the four portions into three rolls – twelve cinnamon rolls total.
  • Place the rolls evenly spaced on a large, parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet. If the ends have come free, carefully tuck them under the cinnamon roll. Cover and let rise until double.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 18-22 minutes until light golden brown. Let the rolls cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.
  • For the frosting, in a large bowl, whip together the cream cheese and butter. Add the vanilla, maple syrup and salt and mix until combined.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar (if you add it all at once, be prepared for a huge snowstorm in your kitchen) and mix until thick and creamy. Add cream or milk a tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable to your liking. Spread the cinnamon rolls with frosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 406mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!

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57 comments

  • Karyn Anderson

    5 stars
    They were fabulous right out of the oven and the next day. I can’t judge beyond that because they had all been eaten. This is definitely a recipe. I will use over and over again..

  • 5 stars
    I’ve been making these for Christmas morning for the past 5 years. They have turned out perfect every time.

  • Detverah Donaldson

    5 stars
    They are great , made them for a birthday party, and to make more for the family .

4.57 from 144 votes (141 ratings without comment)

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photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish

Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.

At Let's Dish, I'm bringing a taste of uptown foodie to real-life, everyday meals! Here, I share simple, reliable recipes that make mealtime easy.
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