Get ready to transform your kitchen into a heavenly bakery with these mouthwatering cinnamon buns that will make your taste buds dance! Imagine warm, soft rolls oozing with rich cinnamon and brown sugar, filling your home with an aroma so irresistible that everyone will be racing to the kitchen. This isn't just another cinnamon bun recipe - it's a culinary journey that promises to elevate your baking skills and create a treat that's guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 buns
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk (around 110°F) with the active dry yeast and let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Add melted butter, sugar, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Whisk thoroughly to create a smooth, uniform liquid base.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when gently pressed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 18x12 inches.
- Spread softened butter evenly across the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture generously over the butter.
- Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log shape. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each roll for expansion.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes in a warm place until they've nearly doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while the rolls are rising.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls for 22-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Optional: drizzle with cream cheese frosting if desired.
Tips
- Yeast Temperature Matters: Ensure your milk is precisely warm (around 110°F) to activate the yeast without killing it. Too hot, and you'll destroy the yeast; too cold, and it won't activate properly.
- Kneading Technique: When kneading the dough, use the heel of your hand to push and fold. This develops gluten and creates that perfect, soft texture.
- Rising Environment: Choose a warm, draft-free spot for dough rising. A slightly warmed oven (turned off) or near a sunny window works perfectly.
- Rolling Trick: Use dental floss to cut the rolled dough into even slices - it creates cleaner cuts than a knife and prevents squishing the delicate dough.
- Don't Overbake: Watch your buns closely in the final minutes of baking. Golden brown is perfect; dark brown means dry buns.
- Optional Upgrade: For extra indulgence, prepare a cream cheese frosting to drizzle on top while the buns are still warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 55mg
