These homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar swirl. Topped with a sweet glaze, they’re a timeless treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love these cinnamon rolls because they deliver bakery-style flavor right from your own kitchen. They’re sweet, gooey, and tender, with just the right amount of spice. Plus, they’re made with frozen bread dough, making them easy for beginners without sacrificing taste.

Cinnamon Rolls

Few baked goods are as comforting and beloved as cinnamon rolls. They represent warmth, coziness, and indulgence, often evoking memories of holiday mornings or lazy weekend brunches. The aroma alone—a blend of cinnamon, sugar, and butter wafting through the kitchen—feels like an embrace.

These rolls begin with frozen bread dough, which is a clever shortcut that saves time without compromising the soft, pillowy texture you expect. It’s a great way to make homemade cinnamon rolls approachable, even if you’ve never worked with yeast before.

The filling is a simple but magical mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts. The walnuts add a satisfying crunch and a nutty undertone that balances the sweetness. As the rolls bake, the filling melts into a gooey caramel-like layer that makes each bite irresistible.

Rolling the dough tightly ensures beautiful spirals of filling that peek out when you slice into them. This visual detail makes the rolls as impressive to look at as they are delicious to eat.

After baking, the rolls are topped with a drizzle of icing made from confectioners’ sugar, milk, and a hint of vanilla. This glaze melts slightly into the warm rolls, adding a sweet finish without overwhelming the delicate balance of flavors.

The texture is soft and tender, with a golden-brown exterior that gives just enough resistance before yielding to the fluffy interior. Each bite is layered with buttery richness, fragrant spice, and creamy glaze.

Cinnamon rolls are endlessly versatile. They can be served as a special breakfast treat, a holiday brunch centerpiece, or even a dessert. Pair them with coffee or hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy experience.

One of the best things about this recipe is its forgiving nature. Using pre-made dough ensures consistent results, and the rising time lets you prepare ahead. You can assemble the rolls the night before, let them rise in the fridge, and bake fresh in the morning.

If you enjoy experimenting, you can swap the walnuts for pecans, add raisins, or even spread a layer of cream cheese frosting instead of glaze for a richer topping.

The joy of cinnamon rolls also lies in sharing them. Few things bring people together like pulling apart a pan of freshly baked rolls, still warm and fragrant from the oven. They’re a communal dessert that invites conversation and connection.

These rolls are especially rewarding to make because they feel indulgent yet simple. They’re impressive enough for special occasions but straightforward enough for an everyday treat.

And let’s not forget the satisfaction of making them yourself. Watching the dough rise, filling the spirals, and drizzling the glaze—every step adds to the anticipation, making the first bite even more satisfying.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to brighten the day. They embody everything we love about homemade baking: warmth, comfort, and joy.

Servings

20 rolls

Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Rise Time: 90 minutes

• Cook Time: 25 minutes

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• ⅔ cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ cup chopped walnuts

• 1 teaspoon water (as needed for sealing)

• ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream

• ⅔ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 dash vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Lightly grease two round cake pans with butter.

2. Roll out bread dough into a 6×18-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter.

3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts. Sprinkle mixture evenly over buttered dough.

4. Roll dough into a log, starting at the long edge. Moisten edge with water to seal.

5. Slice log into 20 even pieces and arrange cut-side down in prepared pans. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 90 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour heavy cream evenly over the risen rolls.

7. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

8. While rolls bake, whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

Tips

• For extra richness, replace the glaze with cream cheese frosting.

• To make ahead, refrigerate assembled rolls overnight, then bake in the morning.

• Add raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness.

• Rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.