Description
This recipe provides an easy guide to baking soft, fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls, perfect for creating sweet breakfast memories with a delightful aroma. It emphasizes understanding ingredient contributions for optimal texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 600 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g granulated sugar
- 7 g instant dry yeast
- 5 g fine sea salt
- 240 ml whole milk, warmed (38–43 degrees C)
- 120 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled (for dough)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 5 ml alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 120 g unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 150 g light brown sugar, packed (for filling)
- 15 g ground cardamom (for filling)
- 5 g ground cinnamon (for filling)
- 240 g powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
- 30 ml fresh orange juice (for glaze)
- 15 ml orange blossom water (for glaze)
- 30–45 ml whole milk or heavy cream (for glaze)
- 30 g toasted pistachios, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 5 g fresh orange zest, finely grated (for garnish)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a medium bowl, whisk together 240 ml warmed milk (100-110F), 75 g granulated sugar, and 7 g instant dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy, showing the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 600 g flour and 5 g fine sea salt. Whisk the foamy yeast mixture with 120 g melted, cooled butter, 2 large eggs, and 5 ml alcohol-free vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead Until Smooth: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes by hand, or 6-8 minutes with a stand mixer and dough hook, until it looks smooth and feels elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly buttered bowl, turning once to coat. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has visibly doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, cream together 120 g softened butter, 150 g packed light brown sugar, 15 g ground cardamom, and 5 g ground cinnamon in a small bowl until it looks well combined and spreadable.
- Roll and Fill: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large 40×50 cm (16×20 inch) rectangle, about 0.6 cm (0.25 inch) thick. Evenly spread the cardamom-cinnamon filling, leaving a small 1 cm (0.5 inch) border on one long edge.
- Slice the Rolls: Starting from the opposite long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp, un-serrated knife or dental floss, slice the log into 12 equal pieces, each about 3.5-4 cm (1.5 inches) thick.
- Second Rise: Arrange the cut cinnamon rolls, cut-side up, in a lightly buttered 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking pan, leaving a little space. Cover loosely and let them proof in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until visibly puffy and almost touching.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F). Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the rolls feel cooked through.
- Glaze and Serve: While the rolls are still warm, whisk together 240 g sifted powdered sugar, 30 ml fresh orange juice, 15 ml orange blossom water, and 30-45 ml milk/cream until smooth for the glaze. Pour generously over the warm cinnamon rolls, then immediately scatter 30 g chopped toasted pistachios and 5 g fresh orange zest. Serve warm directly from the pan.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, unsweetened almond milk and plant-based butter can be used, adjusting hydration slightly. Using a stand mixer for kneading can make the process less intensive. If rolls brown too quickly during baking, loosely tent them with foil. Serve these cinnamon rolls warm directly from the pan for the best experience.
- Prep Time: 53 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (approx 120 g)
- Calories: 410 calories
- Sugar: 48 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: cinnamon rolls, easy breakfast, homemade, cardamom, orange glaze, yeast dough, sweet pastry, baking, comfort food