Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/22/23
Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
Leah Maroney
Prep: 90 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 2 hrs
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls

When you're in the mood for something sweet, these copycat Cinnabon cinnamon rolls are the perfect, indulgent treat!

Inspired by the top-secret Cinnabon cinnamon roll recipe from More Top Secret Recipes: More Fabulous Kitchen Clones of America’s Favorite Brand-Name Foods, we up the ante with less salt, butter instead of margarine, and an easier way to mix it all together. 

Who would have thought you could make these incredible, indulgent rolls at home? They are soft and dense all at the same time and you can eat them hot or cold, day or night!

Besides taking a bit of time to rise, there is not much work or effort in these rolls. This recipe makes a perfect pan of rolls for any breakfast, brunch, or shower. Par-bake and freeze them for the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Just top them with our ooey-gooey cream cheese icing that is incredibly thick, sweet, and slightly tangy; ideal for these cinnamon rolls.  

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/3 cup salted butter, melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

  • 1/3 cup salted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, softened

  • 3 tablespoons sour cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the milk until it is hot, then cool it to lukewarm. Do not let the milk boil and do not add the yeast if the milk is still hot, make sure to wait until it is lukewarm. If you add the yeast when the milk is too hot, it can kill the yeast and prevent the rolls from rising. 

  3. Add the yeast to the milk, gently stir and allow it to sit for 5 minutes or until it starts to froth.  

  4. Add the milk mixture, sugar, butter, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix gently, using a paddle attachment, until incorporated.

  5. Slowly add in the beaten eggs.

  6. Then change the attachment to a dough hook and gradually add the flour to the mixture. 

  7. Knead the dough with the dough hook until it's smooth and has formed a soft ball.

  8. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about one hour. It should double in size during this time. 

  9. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. 

  10. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with softened butter or cooking spray. 

  11. Once the dough has risen, knead it gently with your hands. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin into a large rectangle, about a 16 x 12-inch shape and a 1/4- inch thick.  

  12. Spread the softened butter over the rectangle of dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the softened butter. 

  13. Roll the dough over the sugar and continue to roll until you have a cylinder.  Pinch the edge of the dough together. Then cut 1 1/2-inch slices.

  14. Place the slices in the prepared baking pan. Cover them with a clean cloth and allow them to rise for about 30 minutes. 

  15. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown, fully risen, and completely cooked.

  16. While they are baking, beat together the ingredients for the icing.  

  17. Once the rolls have cooled slightly slather the with the icing and serve! 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
463 Calories
17g Fat
72g Carbs
7g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 463
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 10g 51%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Sodium 235mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 72g 26%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 38g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 80mg 6%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 135mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)