There might be thousands (if not millions) of cinnamon roll recipes out there, but have you ever encountered a recipe with the right amount of ease, appearance, and most important – taste? This Cinnamon Rolls recipe covers all of that! Member’s Mark™ Ground Cinnamon lends the warm, aromatic flavor to these rolls, without overdoing it. All you need is a cup of coffee for the perfect start to your day!

Alternative Cinnamon Roll Ideas

Sweet Twists on Classic Rolls

Maple Pecan Rolls
Swap cinnamon sugar for maple syrup + brown sugar + toasted pecans. Finish with a maple glaze.
Orange Cardamom Rolls
Add orange zest and a touch of cardamom to the filling—bright and slightly floral.
Apple Butter Rolls
Spread apple butter instead of butter + sugar for a deep, spiced flavor.
Chocolate Hazelnut Rolls
Use Nutella or similar spread with a light cocoa swirl.
Strawberries & Cream Rolls
Add strawberry jam and finish with a cream cheese glaze.

Fresh & Fruity Variations

Lemon Blueberry Rolls
Lemon zest + blueberry filling with a tangy glaze.
Peach Cobbler Rolls
Use diced peaches, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla—like dessert + breakfast combined.
Raspberry Almond Rolls
Raspberry preserves with sliced almonds and almond extract icing.

Dessert-Inspired Rolls

Carrot Cake Rolls
Add grated carrots, warm spices, and a cream cheese frosting.
Pumpkin Spice Rolls
Mix pumpkin puree into the dough and use pumpkin spice filling.
S’mores Rolls
Chocolate, crushed graham crackers, and marshmallow fluff inside.

Tips for Making Cinnamon Rolls

Dough Tips (this is where most people go wrong)

Use warm—not hot—liquid (about 100–110°F) so you don’t kill the yeast.
Don’t over-flour the dough. It should be soft and slightly tacky, not stiff.
Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes by hand). This gives you that fluffy texture.
Let it rise until doubled, not just “looks bigger”—this usually takes 1–1.5 hours depending on your kitchen.

Filling Tips (for that gooey center)

Use very soft butter, not melted—it spreads better and keeps layers intact.
Mix brown sugar with cinnamon and a pinch of salt for depth.
Add extras if you want: chopped pecans, a drizzle of honey, or even a thin layer of cream cheese.

Rolling & Cutting

Roll dough evenly to about ¼ inch thick for the best swirl balance.
Roll tightly but not aggressively—too loose = gaps, too tight = filling squeezes out.
Use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife for clean cuts (no squishing).

Second Rise = Big Payoff

After cutting, let rolls rise again until puffy and touching (30–45 min).
This step is key for soft, bakery-style texture—don’t skip it.

Baking Tips

Bake at 350°F until just golden (usually 18–25 minutes).
Don’t overbake—slightly underdone in the center is better than dry.
For ultra-soft rolls, pour a little warm heavy cream over the rolls before baking (they absorb it and stay gooey).

Frosting & Finishing

Spread icing while rolls are warm, not hot so it melts slightly but doesn’t disappear.
Classic cream cheese frosting is a favorite, but vanilla glaze or maple icing works too.

Pro-Level Tricks

Overnight option: Let rolls rise in the fridge overnight, then bake in the morning.
Even baking: Use a metal or ceramic pan (glass can overcook edges).
Flavor boost: Add a splash of vanilla or a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.

Cinnamon Rolls

There might be thousands (if not millions) of cinnamon roll recipes out there, but have you ever encountered a recipe with the right amount of ease, appearance, and most important - taste? This Cinnamon Rolls recipe covers all of that! All you need is a cup of coffee for the perfect start to your day!

Servings

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 20

Total Time 2 20

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Ingredients

For the Dough

¾ cup Whole or 2% milk warmed to 110°F
2¼ tsp Quick rise or active yeast
¼ cup Member’s Mark™ Granulated Sugar
1 Egg + 1 egg yolk room temperature
¼ cup Salted butter melted
3 cups Bread flour plus more for dusting
¾ tsp Salt

For the Filling

⅔ cup Member’s Mark™ Light Brown Sugar
1½ tbsp Member’s Mark™ Ground Cinnamon
¼ cup Butter softened

For the Frosting

4 oz Cream cheese softened
3 tbsp Butter softened
¾ cup Member’s Mark™ Powdered Sugar
½ tsp Magnolia-Star Pure Vanilla Extract

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Instructions

Add warmed milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Add in Member’s Mark™ Granulated Sugar, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Stir in flour and salt with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form.
Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball and be slightly sticky. If it's TOO sticky (meaning it's sticking to the bottom of the mixer, add in 2 tbsp more bread flour.)
Transfer dough ball to a well-oiled bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1-1⁄2 hours, or until doubled in size.
After dough has doubled in size, transfer to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 14x9-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a 1⁄4 inch margin at the far side of the dough.
In a small bowl, mix Member’s Mark™ Light Brown Sugar and Member’s Mark™ Ground Cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle mixture over the buttered dough, then rub the brown sugar mixture into the butter.
Tightly roll dough up into a log, starting from the 9-inch side and placing the seam side down. Make sure to seal the edges of the dough as best as you can. Cut an inch off both ends of the dough.
Cut dough into (9) 1-inch sections with a serrated knife or floss.
Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan or round 9-inch cake pan and then line with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper. Place cinnamon rolls in the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and towel and bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. Cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.
To make the frosting, combine cream cheese, butter, Member’s Mark™ Powdered Sugar, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Spread over cinnamon rolls and serve immediately.

Course: Breakfast

Keyword: breakfast, brunch, cinnamon rolls