Nothing beats the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns wafting through your kitchen.
Whether you prefer classic rolls dripping with cream cheese frosting or unique variations with unexpected flavors, these six tried-and-true recipes will satisfy your sweet cravings.
From a traditional Swedish-style recipe passed down through generations to a quick no-yeast version perfect for busy mornings, you’ll discover options to match your baking expertise and time constraints.
Get ready to create pillowy-soft, perfectly spiced cinnamon buns that will make you the star of any breakfast or brunch gathering.
Classic Swedish Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls
These aromatic Swedish rolls combine the warm, spicy notes of cardamom and cinnamon to create a delightful pastry that’s perfect with your morning coffee.
Unlike American cinnamon rolls, these Swedish treats feature a unique twisted shape and aren’t overly sweet, letting the spices shine through.
Ingredients:
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs (1 for dough, 1 for egg wash)
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt
Filling:
• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• Pearl sugar for topping
Step 1: Mix warm milk with yeast and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Combine flour, sugar, cardamom, and salt in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add melted butter, 1 egg, and yeast mixture to dry ingredients. Knead for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Let dough rise for 1 hour until doubled.
Step 5: Roll dough into rectangle, spread filling mixture, and fold into thirds.
Step 6: Cut into strips, twist each strip, and form into buns.
Step 7: Let rise another 30 minutes.
Step 8: Brush with egg wash, sprinkle pearl sugar, and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the second rise – it’s crucial for achieving that perfect, fluffy texture. Keep an eye on your rolls during the last few minutes of baking, as the high butter content can make them brown quickly.
Overnight No-Knead Sourdough Cinnamon Buns
Indulge in these heavenly Overnight No-Knead Sourdough Cinnamon Buns that combine the tangy complexity of sourdough with sweet, buttery cinnamon goodness.
This recipe lets you do most of the prep work the night before, allowing you to wake up to fresh, warm cinnamon buns for breakfast.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup active sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup softened butter
For the cream cheese frosting:
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1: Mix flour, starter, milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Perform 4 stretch-and-folds at 30-minute intervals, keeping the dough covered between folds.
Step 3: After the final fold, refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).
Step 4: The next morning, roll dough into a 16×20 inch rectangle.
Step 5: Spread softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 6: Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 12 pieces.
Step 7: Place in a greased 9×13 pan, cover, and let rise for 2 hours.
Step 8: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Step 9: Top with cream cheese frosting while warm.
Pro Tip: For the best texture, make sure your sourdough starter is at peak activity before using it in the recipe. You can test this by dropping a small amount in water – it should float when ready.
Gooey Cream Cheese Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in these irresistibly soft and gooey cinnamon rolls topped with luxurious cream cheese frosting.
This homemade recipe creates the perfect breakfast treat that will fill your home with an enchanting aroma and bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
The combination of warm, buttery dough swirled with cinnamon-sugar and crowned with creamy frosting makes these rolls absolutely heavenly.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the frosting:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1: Mix flour, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Knead until smooth.
Step 2: Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
Step 3: Roll dough into a rectangle and spread softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture.
Step 4: Roll tightly and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Step 5: Place rolls in greased baking pan and let rise for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.
Pro Tip: For the fluffiest texture, ensure your yeast is fresh and active before starting. You can test it by mixing with warm milk – it should foam within 5-10 minutes. Also, don’t overbake the rolls; they should remain slightly gooey in the center.
Gluten-Free Pecan Cinnamon Swirls
Treat yourself to these irresistible Gluten-Free Pecan Cinnamon Swirls, perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or special brunch.
These soft, pillowy swirls combine the warmth of cinnamon, the crunch of pecans, and a delightful sweetness that’ll make you forget they’re gluten-free.
Ingredients:
• 2½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• ¾ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
Filling:
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• ¼ cup softened butter
Steps:
1. Combine warm water and yeast in a bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs to the yeast mixture.
4. Gradually incorporate wet ingredients into dry ingredients until you form a soft dough.
5. Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
6. Roll out dough into a rectangle on parchment paper.
7. Spread softened butter, sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans evenly.
8. Roll dough tightly from the long edge, using parchment paper as support.
9. Cut into 12 equal pieces and place in a greased baking pan.
10. Let rise another 30 minutes and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
Pro Tip: For the best texture, don’t skip the rising times – they’re crucial for proper development of the dough. When checking for doneness, look for golden-brown tops and make sure the center swirl is fully cooked before removing from the oven.
Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in these heavenly Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls that combine the warmth of fall spices with the sweetness of maple syrup.
These soft, fluffy rolls feature a pumpkin-enriched dough and a buttery cinnamon filling that creates the perfect autumn breakfast treat.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup warm milk
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
For the filling:
• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the maple glaze:
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 2-3 tbsp milk
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Activate the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Mix flour, sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.
Step 3: Combine pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, and yeast mixture. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
Step 4: Let dough rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Roll out dough into a 16×20 inch rectangle and spread with filling mixture.
Step 6: Roll tightly and cut into 12 pieces. Place in greased pan.
Step 7: Let rise another 30 minutes and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
Step 8: Whisk glaze ingredients and pour over warm rolls.
Pro Tip: Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best results. Let the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before glazing to prevent the maple glaze from completely melting into the rolls.
Quick 30-Minute Air Fryer Cinnamon Buns
Craving warm, gooey cinnamon buns but don’t want to wait hours? These air fryer cinnamon buns are your answer!
Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfectly fluffy on the inside with a delightfully crispy exterior.
This recipe uses refrigerated dough to save time while still delivering that fresh-baked taste you love.
Ingredients:
• 1 tube refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (8 count)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Icing packet (included with dough)
• Cooking spray
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (165°C) for 3 minutes.
Step 2: Separate the refrigerated dough into individual rolls.
Step 3: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Step 4: Brush each roll with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 5: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Step 6: Place rolls in the basket, leaving space between each for expansion.
Step 7: Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
Step 8: Remove from air fryer and let cool for 2 minutes.
Step 9: Drizzle with the included icing while still warm.
Pro Tip: For extra gooey buns, add the icing in two stages – half right when they’re hot, and the remainder after 2 minutes of cooling. Check your buns at 7 minutes, as air fryer temperatures can vary significantly between models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes homemade cinnamon buns soft and fluffy?
Using warm milk and active yeast creates a tender dough, while kneading develops gluten for fluffiness. Adding eggs and butter enriches the texture for perfect softness.
How long should you let cinnamon bun dough rise for best results?
Allow the dough to rise twice – first for about 1 hour until doubled in size, then another 30 minutes after shaping. This develops optimal flavor and texture.
What’s the secret to creating the perfect cinnamon filling?
Combine softened butter with brown sugar and quality ground cinnamon. Spread the mixture evenly on rolled dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
How do you achieve clean slices when cutting unbaked cinnamon rolls?
Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut the rolled dough. Make quick, clean cuts without squishing the dough to maintain the spiral shape.
What’s the ideal oven temperature for baking cinnamon buns?
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. This temperature ensures the rolls cook evenly without burning the tops or leaving centers doughy.
Final Thoughts
Now you have six delicious cinnamon bun recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Whether you prefer the classic version, a quick no-yeast option, or something more adventurous like sourdough or gluten-free, there’s a perfect recipe for every skill level and taste preference.
Remember to always use room-temperature ingredients for the best results, and don’t rush the proofing process.
Feel free to experiment with different glazes and toppings to make these recipes your own. Happy baking!
