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Home Recipes By Dessert Type Other

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

108 Reviews Recipe
nf
By: Erin Antoniak • Updated On December 19, 2022

Take breakfast from 1 to 100 with the Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls. These delicious, fluffy rounds of cinnamon goodness are made with extra TLC. Each bite is better than the last!

cinnamon roll on plate

The best cinnamon rolls. Ever.

I’m a firm believer in going all out for breakfast. I mean, why not start your day with something absolutely delicious?!

For this morning treat, I’m showing you how to whip up the best ever cinnamon rolls. I mean it when I say “best.” These homemade cinnamon rolls are filled with everything we love in a sweet treat breakfast: cream cheese, butter, almond milk, and more.

Each bite is perfectly layered with a delicious sprinkling of coconut sugar and cinnamon for the best tasting result. Not to mention, they’re frosted with a cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar combo. It’s a breakfast fit for a king, and for you!

cinnamon roll on plate

Ingredients in homemade cinnamon rolls

This recipe consists of four parts: the dough, filling, topping, and frosting. For each section there are a specific list of ingredients that you’ll need (many of which overlap). For a quick rundown on what you can expect, here is a complete ingredient list:

  • Unsweetened almond milk
  • Melted butter (or coconut oil)
  • Instant yeast
  • Coconut sugar
  • All purpose flour
  • Coconut sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Softened butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Salt
  • Vanilla
  • Almond milk
making cinnamon rolls

What you’ll need to make this recipe

This recipe requires quite the list of kitchen tools, but don’t be intimidated! I recommend gathering everything before you begin so that it’s right at your fingertips when needed.

  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • 2 small mixing bowls
  • Stirring utensil
  • Whisk
  • Plastic wrap
  • Floss or sharp knife
  • Butter brush
  • Hand mixer or food processor

For measuring, you will need the following sizes: 1/8 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, and 1 cup.

raw cinnamon rolls

How to make the best ever cinnamon rolls

Get ready, because these rolls need your full attention. Though a very easy cinnamon roll recipe to conjure up, the step by step is very detailed! I’ve broken it up into sections to help it be a bit clearer. Any questions? Leave them in the comments below!

Prep the dough

To begin, preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 dish.

In a large bowl, heat the almond milk and butter in the microwave until they melt and reach a temperature of 110F. This should be luke warm (not hot) in order to activate the yeast.

Next, sprinkle the yeast on top of the mixture and let it sit for ten minutes.

While sitting, mix together the flour and salt in another bowl.

After the milk has set for ten minutes, whisk in the coconut sugar.

Turn off the oven and open the door. I use this as a “warm” place for my rolls to rise during the winter months.

Add the wet ingredients into the flour and stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set in the slightly warm oven with the door open for 45 minutes. The dough should become double in size.

Mix the inside ingredients

While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon sugar mixture by mixing the coconut sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.

Shape the dough

Flour a large surface and place the dough on top. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. You should be able to form it into a large rectangle shape.

Once in a large rectangle, spread the softened butter on top, and then evenly sprinkle with the sugar mixture.

Roll tightly from one side to the other, keeping it nice and tight the whole time.

Once in a long roll, cut it in half once using floss or a sharp knife (I prefer using floss to cut it).

Cut each half into 6 rolls and place them into the greased baking dish. Brush with melted butter.

Bake the rolls

Turn the oven back on and preheat to 350F with the rolls sitting on top of the oven.

Once preheated, bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden.

While baking, prepare the frosting by blending all of the frosting ingredients together with a hand mixer or food processor.

Finally, add the frosting!

Frost the cinnamon rolls while warm, or once cooled if preferred.

Not baking today? No problem!

Complete all the way through step 13 and then you can do one of THREE things.

Refrigerate Overnight

This option is best for if you’re making them the day before. Make through step 13 and then cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, set them in a warm-ish place for an hour. This could be in your oven (previously turned on, but now off) with the door cracked open, on top of an oven that is heating up, or on a slow warming pad. After an hour, head to step 15.

Freeze

This option is best for if you want to make them a few days before. Make through step 13 and then cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, take out of freezer and set them in a warm-ish place for an hour. This could be in your oven (previously turned on, but now off) with the door cracked open, on top of an oven that is heating up, or on a slow warming pad. After an hour (if still frozen, let thaw longer), head to step 15.

Bake the day before

Complete all steps of cinnamon rolls, just skip the icing for now. Bake completely. In the morning, heat back up in oven at 400 for 10 minutes. Then add icing.

cinnamon rolls grabbing by hand
cinnamon roll on plate with fork

Storing extra rolls

Leftover cinnamon rolls can be kept in an airtight container and left at room temperature or placed in the fridge.

Before enjoying, I recommend heating in the microwave for about 10 seconds to loosen up the frosting and make them feel fresh out of the oven!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Looking for more breakfasts that will help you start your day on a “sweet” foot? Here are some of my favorites!

  • Cake Batter Overnight Oats
  • Healthy Pumpkin Spice Granola
  • Paleo Cinnamon Coffee Cake
  • Paleo Lemon Blueberry Muffins
  • Healthy Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe
cinnamon roll on plate
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 108 reviews

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Take breakfast from 1 to 100 with the Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls. These delicious, fluffy rounds of cinnamon goodness are made with extra TLC. Each bite is better than the last!

Prep: 80 Cook: 20 Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield 12 rolls 1x
Scale
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • .25oz package instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar (or white sugar)
  • 2.5 cups bread flour (all purpose flour works as well)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Inside:

  • 1 cup coconut sugar (sub white sugar)
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

Topping:

  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 8oz block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp almond milk

Alternate simple icing:

  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp almond milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease 9×13 dish.
  2. In a large bowl, heat almond milk and butter until melted and 110- 120F. This should be luke warm, not hot, in order to activate the yeast. I used my microwave to heat.
  3. Sprinkle yeast on top of warm milk mixture and let sit for ten minutes.
  4. While sitting, mix together flour and salt in another bowl.
  5. After milk has sat for ten minutes, whisk in coconut sugar.
  6. Once oven has reached temperature, turn it off and open door.  I use this as a ‘warm’ place for my rolls to rise during the winter months.
  7. Add wet ingredients into flour and stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set in slightly warm oven with open door for 45 minutes. The dough should double in size.
  8. While dough is rising, prepare cinnamon sugar mixture by mixing coconut sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
  9. Generously flour a large surface and dump dough onto it. If dough is too sticky, add more flour. You should be able to form it into a large rectangle shape.
  10. Once in a large rectangle, spread softened butter on top. Then evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture.
  11. Roll tightly from one side to the other, keeping it nice and tight the whole time.
  12. Once in a long roll, cut in half once using floss or a sharp knife (I prefer using floss to cut it)
  13. Cut each half into 6 rolls and place them into a greased baking dish. Brush with melted butter.
  14. Turn oven back on and preheat to 350F with rolls sitting on top of oven.
  15. Once preheated, bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden.
  16. While baking, prepare frosting by blending all of the ingredients together with a hand mixer or a food processor.
  17. Frost cinnamon rolls when still warm, or once cooled if preferred.
Author: Erin Antoniak Category: breakfast, holiday Method: oven Cuisine: American

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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Recipe Rating




  1. ERIN N says

    Posted on 4/14 at 7:15 pm

    Best cinnamon rolls ever, correct! These were so freaking delicious! Cannot resist eating them all, lol!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/15 at 9:17 am

      Hi Erin, so happy you love them!!

      Reply
  2. Claire says

    Posted on 4/12 at 3:37 pm

    SO GOOD!!!! The best morning treat for a holiday or birthday!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 9:17 pm

      Hi Claire, so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  3. Katy says

    Posted on 4/12 at 11:51 am

    They are not called the best cinnamon rolls for nothing! Make these immediately and check out her highlight on IG for even more guidance!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 9:03 pm

      Hi Katy, so so happy you love them!

      Reply
  4. Chelsea says

    Posted on 4/12 at 1:10 am

    Life changing cinnamon rolls, so much easier to make than I ever anticipated. Truly a weekend favorite in my house!! The recipe is so easy to follow and the cinnamon buns come out perfectly every single time I make them!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 8:45 pm

      Hi Chelsea, so happy it was a huge hit!

      Reply
  5. Lacey says

    Posted on 4/11 at 7:42 pm

    These are so easy & fun to make. Plus they taste amazing!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 8:19 pm

      Hi Lacey, so glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  6. John M says

    Posted on 4/11 at 7:41 pm

    The 🐐 cinnamon rolls. So much better than the ones from the grocery store. I also don’t fee as guilty when I have 4 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 8:18 pm

      Hi John, so happy you love them! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Skylar says

    Posted on 4/11 at 6:50 pm

    The best cinnamon rolls – I even froze 1/2 them and cooked them a week later, they were AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 8:07 pm

      Hi Skylar, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  8. Stephanie James says

    Posted on 4/11 at 4:38 pm

    These cinnamon rolls are fantastic. I want to write a longer review but all I can say is fantastic. Will never use another recipe, unless it’s by Erin 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/11 at 5:48 pm

      Hi, Stephanie, so lad you love them! Thanks for your support!!

      Reply
  9. Hannah Neville says

    Posted on 4/4 at 1:38 pm

    Well these were hands down the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had. My husband and I absolutely loved them! They taste like Cinnabon but BETTER, and I never thought that could be possible LOL! Going to make these for every holiday here on out! Such a warm and comforting Easter treat!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/5 at 7:18 am

      Hi Hannah, so happy you both loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Alexandria says

    Posted on 3/22 at 11:45 am

    Made these for the second time – they are so perfect. The icing is just sweet enough and they reheat very well. My favorite cinnamon roll recipe, thank you Erin!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/22 at 11:55 pm

      Hi Alexandria, so happy you loved them!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Sandra says

    Posted on 3/18 at 12:31 pm

    So easy to make! I recommend. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/19 at 12:07 am

      Hi Sandra, I am so glad you liked them!

      Reply
  12. Chrisite says

    Posted on 3/17 at 1:15 pm

    Cinnamon rolls are excellent for a healthier version! Our family was not a fan on the icing though. Way too sweet.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/18 at 11:59 pm

      Hi Christine, so glad you liked them and thanks for the feedback. You can always reduce the sugar or half the recipe so there’s less icing!

      Reply
  13. Leah says

    Posted on 2/21 at 11:38 am

    I made these just as you suggested and they were simply amazing. My whole family loved them. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/22 at 1:02 pm

      Hi Leah, so happy everyone liked them!

      Reply
  14. Kiera says

    Posted on 2/14 at 10:24 pm

    Made these with brown sugar instead of coconut sugar and they were SO GOOD!! I was intimidated at first but it was pretty simple! This recipe is 10/10 and I will be making these again for sure.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:07 pm

      Hi Kiera, so happy you loved them!

      Reply
  15. Leigh Allison says

    Posted on 2/14 at 6:36 pm

    These are amazing! I made these as a Valentine’s Day treat and they came out beautifully. The videos on instagram made it so easy to follow! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:07 pm

      Hi! So happy you loved them and thanks for your support!! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Jennifer M says

    Posted on 2/14 at 3:26 pm

    Holy cow, these are literally THE BEST EVER. They are so dang good. Made them on Valentine’s Day morning and they were EPIC. We have tried making cinnamon rolls so many times and they always turn out like hockey pucks. NOT THESE! Totally foolproof and they were legit the FLUFFIEST, softest, best cinnamon rolls literally ever. Saving this recipe for eternity so we can have them for every special occasion. Thank you so much for this recipe! 💖💖💖👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:06 pm

      Hi Jennifer, I am so happy you loved them so much! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Caitlin says

    Posted on 2/14 at 2:30 pm

    Delicious!!!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:04 pm

      Hi Caitlin, so glad you liked them!

      Reply
  18. Gabby says

    Posted on 2/14 at 12:38 pm

    Amazing recipe. I ended up needed an extra 1/3 cup of flour and used my kitchenaid with dough hook to knead the dough for about 10min before proofing. Once cut I let rest again for about 10min before putting them in the oven. So light and fluffy and not over sweet at all.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:03 pm

      Hi Gabby, so happy you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  19. Jordan says

    Posted on 2/14 at 10:04 am

    First time making homemade cinnamon rolls and they were so easy and delicious! My fiancé said, “These are the kind of cinnamon rolls I would buy from a bakery!” I did not have any coconut sugar on hand, so I substituted brown sugar for the dough and turbinado raw cane sugar for the filling. 10/10 would make again!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/15 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Jordan, so glad you both loved them and made them your own!!

      Reply
  20. Erika Golden says

    Posted on 2/11 at 6:31 pm

    So easy and sososo delicious! Was intimidated initially but the step by step instructions make this such an easy, and especially yummy, for anyone!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/12 at 12:19 pm

      Hi Erika, so glad you liked them!!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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