Soft Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Glaze (Printable)

Soft, fluffy spiraled buns filled with sweet cinnamon sugar and topped with luscious vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
04 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
05 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 large egg, room temperature
07 - ½ tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2–3 tbsp milk
13 - ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine lukewarm milk and yeast in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy and activated.
02 - Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter, egg, and activated yeast mixture. Stir until dough begins to form.
03 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm area for 1 hour until doubled.
04 - Punch down risen dough and roll into 16×12 inch rectangle on floured surface.
05 - Spread softened butter evenly over dough surface. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle mixture evenly over butter.
06 - Starting from long edge, roll dough tightly into log. Cut crosswise into 12 equal slices using serrated knife or dental floss.
07 - Place rolls cut-side up in greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
09 - Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - While rolls cool slightly, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle generously over warm rolls before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough comes together with ingredients you already have in your pantry
  • That moment when you pull golden spiraled rolls from the oven feels like pure magic
  • The homemade glaze puts any coffee shop version to shame
02 -
  • Hot milk kills yeast instantly. Test it on your wrist like you would a babys bottle.
  • The dough is ready to bake when you press it gently and the indention stays.
03 -
  • Use unflavored dental floss for slicing. Slide it under the roll, cross ends over, and pull through for perfect cuts.
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the butter from seizing and create a more uniform dough.
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