Irresistible Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
As I sit down to write about my Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, the sweet scent of freshly baked treats fills the air around me. There’s something about the smell of cinnamon rolls that makes everything feel homier and more comforting. The warm, gooey goodness of a homemade treat is nearly impossible to resist.
Growing up in the South, cinnamon rolls were a staple in my household. My mother would bake batches and batches of these light and fluffy rolls, with swirls of butter and brown sugar infused cinnamon goodness. I still remember the look on my siblings’ faces as we eagerly reached out for our share at breakfast or dessert time.
I’ve also had the pleasure of trying variations of this recipe from some of the most notable Southern chefs in the culinary industry, including Trisha Yearwood, Preppy Kitchen, and America’s Test Kitchen. But what sets my recipe apart is its simplicity; made with straightforward ingredients found in any pantry or grocery store, this Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is a breeze to put together.
Whether you’re hosting brunch for friends or family, indulging in an afternoon treat or simply craving something sweet and delicious for breakfast, these cinnamon rolls are the perfect addition to your menu. So why not join me in whipping up a batch of these decadent treats today? Trust me; you won’t regret it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Darling, let me tell you why you’ll be head over heels for this recipe. These Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls are so soft and delicious, your taste buds will dance with delight! Brimming with cinnamon flavor and draped in a buttery brown sugar filling that’s light and fluffy, these cinnamon rolls are the ultimate temptation for breakfast, brunch or even a sweet treat.
Imagine waking up to the sweet scent of warm cinnamon wafting through the kitchen, knowing that the aroma is coming from a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls. Picture biting into a fresh-baked roll that’s just out of the oven — how it almost melts in your mouth and how the gooey filling oozes out just a little bit. It’s the kind of treat that can soothe your soul on even the toughest of mornings.
But what makes this Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Roll recipe stand out from all the rest? Ah, my love, it’s all in the details! You see, we use just enough light brown sugar and cinnamon to create a well-balanced sweet flavor without being too overwhelming. And with a dough that’s perfectly soft, yet still has some bite to it, each bite is pure heaven.
There are other variations of cinnamon rolls recipe out there; however, this southern-style recipe is unique with its rich flavor profile crafted by mixing cinnamon and brown sugar together. It is not only delicious but also easy to make at home.
So what are you waiting for? Try out this southern-style kitchen cinnamon rolls recipe today and experience the magic yourself!
Ingredient List
-
Yeast Mixture:
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast (or 1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water
-
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
-
Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
-
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Extra filling from above (optional)
The Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe!
These homemade cinnamon rolls are the best! They are light, fluffy, buttery, and packed with cinnamon flavor. The recipe is easy to follow; you can make them for special occasions or whenever you like to treat yourself with something truly delicious.
I use simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. You can make the dough-ahead of time and bake them fresh in the morning or freeze them for later. Trust me; these cinnamon rolls will become a staple recipe in your kitchen after trying it once!
The Recipe How-To
Now let’s get to the fun part of making Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe! This recipe requires an afternoon in the kitchen but trust me, the result is worth it. Taking your time and following these steps will ensure that your cinnamon rolls turn out light, fluffy and oh-so delicious.
Steps:
1. Activate the Yeast
First, take a small bowl and mix 2 tablespoons of dry yeast with 1/2 cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for five minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, melt 1/2 cup of butter with 1/2 cup of milk in the microwave or over medium heat in a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, stirring until the butter melts completely.
Then add one egg and mix until everything is well combined. Add the yeast mixture that was set aside earlier into this bowl.
Stir in about 2 cups of all-purpose flour, mixing gradually until you have a loose dough that sticks to your fingers. Add more flour as necessary in increments of one tablespoon until you can form a ball with the dough without it sticking too much to your hands.
Knead this dough for about 5-7 minutes while adding flour if necessary if the dough feels too sticky.
3. Let It Rise
Place kneaded dough into a large greased bowl, then cover it with wax paper or a damp cloth. Keep it somewhere warm for up to two hours or so until your dough rises and doubles in size.
4. Make the Filling
In another bowl, melt 1/4 cup butter and add 1 1/2 cups of light brown sugar and roughly two tablespoons of cinnamon powder. Mix well until you get a smooth paste.
5. Roll Out the Dough and Add the Filling
Gently roll out your dough on a floured surface into a rectangular shape. Be sure to dust flour as necessary to avoid it sticking.
Spread the cinnamon mixture onto the dough, spreading it evenly from edge to edge.
6. Form the Rolls
Roll up your dough firmly into a log shape (by its longest side) then cut it into about 10-12 rolls. Place these rolls onto your greased pan (allowing 2 inches of space on each side) and let them rise once again for about 15-20 minutes.
7. Bake
Seconds before placing the pan in preheated oven at 375°F brush top of each roll with 1 tablespoon of melted butter, sprinkle some loose brown sugar and cinnamon if desired.
Place in oven and bake for roughly 25-30 minutes until it turns golden brown. Allow your rolls to cool for five minutes before glazing them.
Substitutions and Variations
Variety is the spice of life and it applies to recipes too! If you’re looking to mix things up, try some of these substitutions and variations on the classic Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls recipe:
– Orange Cinnamon Rolls: Add some zest to your rolls by using the zest of one orange in the filling mixture. This will give your cinnamon rolls a citrusy twist that you won’t be able to resist.
– Sticky Buns: Want to take things up a notch? Create sticky buns by spreading caramel sauce on the bottom of the baking dish before placing the rolls on top. After baking, flip the pan over so that the caramel seeps into the cinnamon rolls. Then, drizzle extra caramel sauce on top for an indulgent treat.
– Cream Cheese Frosting: Instead of a simple glaze, try adding a cream cheese frosting to your cinnamon rolls. Simply beat softened cream cheese and butter together with powdered sugar until smooth and then spread it onto your warm cinnamon rolls.
– Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls: For a quick and easy alternative, use biscuit dough instead of homemade cinnamon roll dough. Flatten out each biscuit, add your filling, roll them up, and bake as directed for flaky and flavorful rolls.
– Trisha Yearwood’s Cinnamon Orange Rolls: Follow Trisha’s recipe for tangy-sweet goodness that will keep you coming back for more. Her version has a fragrant orange twist that teams perfectly with gooey cinnamon filling.
All in all, don’t be afraid to get creative with this recipe. The possibilities are endless!
Serving and Pairing
Oh, honey, you’re going to love serving up these Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls recipe to your family and friends. Once you take these light and fluffy rolls out of the oven, they’ll fill your kitchen with the warm scent of cinnamon that will have everyone’s mouths watering.
Now, when it comes to pairing these rolls with a beverage, I recommend some good old southern sweet tea. You can also serve them with your favorite coffee or hot cocoa for the perfect indulgent pairing.
To elevate this recipe even further, try adding a dollop of whipped cream on top or drizzling some caramel sauce over the rolls. Trust me; it doesn’t get any better than that!
If you want to make this into a full breakfast spread fit for a queen, serve these cinnamon rolls with some crispy bacon or sausage links alongside a fresh fruit salad.
These mouth-watering cinnamon rolls are perfect for any time of day, from breakfast to dessert. Share and enjoy them with your loved ones because nothing beats a well-made homemade cinnamon roll.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
What’s better than waking up to the sweet aroma of freshly-baked cinnamon rolls? Waking up to freshly-baked cinnamon rolls that you made ahead of time! Yes, these gooey and fluffy Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls can be prepped ahead and stored for a future indulgent breakfast or brunch.
To make these treasures in advance, prepare the dough as per instructions and let it rise for the first time. Then, roll the dough into a log, slice it into 12 pieces and place them in a greased baking dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight or up to 24 hours.
The next morning, take out the dish and let the rolls sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes, then follow the recipe instructions to bake your cinnamon rolls until golden, pillowy perfection. Your family and friends will never know they weren’t baked on demand.
If you have leftover cinnamon rolls or time isn’t on your side in the morning, you can also store them so they remain light and fluffy. Tightly wrap individual cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature or five days in the fridge.
To reheat them, just remove the wrapping and heat them in the microwave for around 10-15 seconds (depending on its power) or preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet, cover with foil and bake until warm throughout (around 8-10 minutes).
Enjoy these Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls anytime without sacrificing their delicious texture and taste.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have a basic understanding of the Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls recipe, let’s discuss some tips that will help you perfect it.
1. Use room temperature ingredients – This will ensure better blending of the ingredients and faster yeast activation.
2. Knead the dough thoroughly – Kneading the dough for an adequate amount of time results in light, fluffy, and delicate cinnamon rolls.
3. Choose the right flour – All-purpose flour works best for this recipe since it contains the right amount of gluten needed for good structure and elasticity.
4. Handle with care – Avoid pressing down too hard when rolling or cutting the dough, as this can make the rolls tough and less fluffy.
5. Don’t overbake – The cinnamon rolls will continue to cook after being removed from the oven. To avoid dry and crumbly cinnamon rolls, take them out before they become too golden brown.
6. Melt butter properly – Melted butter adds airiness to the dough, resulting in flaky cinnamon rolls. Always melt butter gently by heating it for a few seconds at a time and stirring in between until fully melted.
7. Add extra flavor to your icing – While traditional icing calls for powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, you can add extra flavor with maple syrup or orange zest, resulting in deliciously unique glazes.
8. Experiment with different fillings – While everyone loves classic brown sugar cinnamon filling, you can get creative with alternative fillings such as pecans or raisins.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make perfect cinnamon rolls every time that are fit to impress even your most skeptical guests!
FAQ
As with any recipe, you may have some questions or concerns before diving in. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions about the Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls recipe, along with answers and advice to help ensure your rolls turn out light, fluffy, and delicious every time.
Why pour milk on cinnamon rolls before baking?
When preparing these rolls, the liquid will gradually soak into them, resulting in a soft and moist texture. The fat, milk solids, and milk sugars left in the pan will come together to form a delectable and sugary glaze that will coat the bottom of the rolls, which will become the top when they are flipped over.
What does pouring heavy cream on cinnamon rolls do?
Here’s a secret to achieving incredibly moist rolls: incorporate heavy cream into your recipe. For best results, allow it to reach room temperature before use. After allowing the rolls to rise for the second time, pour the cream generously over the top before placing them in the oven to bake. This step makes all the difference in obtaining those perfectly fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth rolls.
Why do you brush cinnamon rolls with milk?
One secret to achieving perfectly caramelized and crispy tops for your cinnamon rolls is to brush them with either heavy or light cream, or even milk. Pop them in the oven and bake for around 25-30 minutes until they’re done. A simple way to check is by inserting a toothpick and seeing if it comes out clean.
What’s the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns?
The way that buns and cinnamon rolls are shaped is what sets them apart. Buns are formed through braiding and rolling techniques to give them a more typical bun-like appearance. On the other hand, cinnamon rolls get their name from the fact that they are rolled up into a spiral shape, which traps all the delicious, gooey butter and brown sugar filling inside.
Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy?
To ensure your rolls have a soft, airy texture, it is important to have enough air bubbles in your dough. However, there can be various reasons why your yeasted dough doesn’t seem to be rising properly. Some reasons may include expired or old yeast, a room temperature that is too cool, or using hot liquid to bloom the yeast.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves delicious and fluffy cinnamon rolls. With just a few ingredients and some easy steps, you can create a dish that will have everyone asking for more. These cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch or any special occasion. They are also great for feeding a crowd. So, next time you’re looking to impress your friends or family with something tasty, why not give this recipe a try? Trust me, your taste buds will thank you! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Happy baking!
Southern Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 ounce dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, well-packed
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Dough Instructions:.
- Scald milk.
- Add butter and stir until the butter is melted.
- Add sugar and salt and stir until dissolved.
- Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to milk mixture.
- Add 1 C of flour and beat well.
- Add egg, which has been beaten lightly, and beat about 2 minutes.
- Add 1 C of flour and beat well.
- Add remaining flour and mix well.
- Place on floured board and knead very lightly about 8 times.
- Put in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Instructions:.
- Mix sugars and cinnamon together until well-blended.
- Roll dough out to a rectangle about 8” X 20”.
- Completely cover the dough with 1 T melted butter.
- Spread cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over surface, reserving about ¾ C for the top.
- Roll up and cut into 24 even sized pieces.
- Melt 5 T butter in a 7” X 10” pan and put rolls in pan, placing cut side up. Press down to force butter up around rolls.
- Then spread remaining sugar mixture evenly over top.
- Press down. Let rise until doubled.
- Bake at 375 deg. Until done…about 20 minute Serve Warm.