Cinnamon Rolls with Glaze

There is just something special about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking on a cold morning in winter. It’s just so indicative of a slow, cozy day getting under way-a time with the family, warmth in the kitchen, and taking something sweet. To me, cinnamon rolls will always relate to Christmas morning. Every year, my family would wake up early-not to open presents, but to the smell of fresh rolls. Their warm cinnamon centers and sweet glaze begged us to get out of bed.

My love for these classic pastries began as a child, watching my mother work patiently through the process. She’d measure out ingredients, work the dough until it was smooth and elastic, and place the rolls side by side in a pan, covering them with a dish towel to rise in the warm light of our holiday-strung kitchen. And I remember pulling the towel back, astonished, to see how the dough had risen, this magic transformation into fluffy clouds.

The process was always as much a part of the experience as the eating, and I’ve carried that tradition into my own kitchen.

The Secret to Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade cinnamon rolls can be kind of an involved process, but man, are they worth it. The thing that really sets it apart is the dough: soft, a little bit sticky, full of air pockets to allow the tender, pull-apart layers. It all starts with the warm milk-skimmed, not scalding hot, but at such a temperature that yeasts wake up in it.

This is important because yeasts are killed by too hot milk, and too cool, the dough won’t rise.

A good rule is to aim for about 110°F (45°C). You can easily check this with a kitchen thermometer or think of it as “warm as a baby’s bottle.” Well, the real fun now-after adding milk and yeast-is to add sugar, eggs, soft butter, and a pinch of salt.

These will tenderize and sweeten the dough. Gradually add all the flour until the dough ceases to stick to the sides of the bowl; this is how you will know it is ready for kneading.

This dough, after a good kneading session, or rather, an exercise session for your hands, should become smooth and be slightly springy to the touch.

The Patience of Waiting for Dough to Rise

After this is done, the dough is taken into a greased bowl, covered, and put aside for rising at a warm place. This is where you can take a rest and let the time get to work. The yeast consumes the sugar in the dough and lets out tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide, enabling the dough to rise and even double in size. This may take about an hour, but be patient, because this rise gives the rolls a light and airy feel.

While waiting for it, you can prepare the filling, which is a mix of some soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. That will help the cinnamon sugar melt into the dough while baking and give that very sticky, gooey center we all love so much.

Rolling, Filling, and Cutting: The Heart of the Cinnamon Roll

You are going to roll out the risen dough into a big rectangle.

Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the surface, getting into every corner so each and every bite will be flavored. The art of rolling the dough into a tight log and cutting into uniform slices is an art, but here’s a helpful hint-to get the neatest cuts, use dental floss.

Wrap floss around the dough and cross the ends pulling – this cuts through without squishing the rolls. Place in a baking dish with a little space between each slice so they have room for a second rise.

The Final Bake: Golden Perfection

Golden to Perfection Bake the cinnamon rolls, which requires a bit of attention-hot enough to cook inside, but not so hot it gets too dark on top before it’s cooked inside. Bake at 350°F 175°C for 20-25 minutes, until golden, or until the kitchen smells madly of cinnamon and butter. But when they came out of the oven, pure joy. You could almost see the layers twisting under a gold crust, and the smell… well, the smell is like Christmas.

Glazing the Rolls: The Sweet Finishing Touch

After the rolls cool slightly, you will make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla, adding only enough milk so it’s of a decent drizzling consistency over the top of the rolls. When they have cooled a few minutes but are still warm, let icing ooze into every nook. It drips between the layers and gives you that sweet taste and the feel of smoothness with every bite.

Serving Information: A Morning Delight

These cinnamon rolls are really best when fresh out of the oven. The recipe makes approximately 12 rolls, perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch. You need about 30 minutes to get ready. Then another 1 ½ to 2 hours for the dough to rise and bake. The recipe lets you enjoy making it, and gives you some time for coffee while you wait for it to get ready. Each roll is about 300 calories, so these sweet treats are well worth the calories especially on those special mornings.

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Bonus Tips for the Perfect Rolls

1. Soft Dough is Key: Don’t be tempted to add too much flour. The dough should be slightly sticky to ensure soft, fluffy rolls.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure they incorporate smoothly into the dough.
3. Even Spread: When spreading the filling, use an offset spatula for even distribution. This will ensure each bite is packed with cinnamon-sugar goodness.
4. Preheat the Oven: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking the rolls to ensure they rise properly and bake evenly.

Creative Serving Suggestions

These cinnamon rolls are heavenly on their own, but if you want to take things up a notch, here are a few ideas:

• Top with Fresh Fruit: Serve with a side of fresh berries for a burst of freshness alongside the richness of the rolls.
• Add a Maple Twist: Swap the vanilla extract in the glaze for maple syrup for an extra layer of flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.
• Warm Spices: Add a pinch of ground cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon filling for a little extra warmth and complexity.

Share the Love

There’s something special about creating a batch of cinnamon rolls from scratch. The process might take a little time, but the results are worth every minute. The soft, fluffy dough, the sweet, spiced filling, and that perfect glaze are enough to make anyone smile—especially when shared with family on a holiday morning. If you’re looking for a recipe that brings people together, look no further.

Love this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it to your favorite Christmas morning or holiday dessert board for later!