Take your family traditions up a notch by preparing this new Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Cinnabon Copycat Recipe!
This recipe uses a yeast dough that produces a soft, gooey and irresistibly sweet roll that will become a new favorite breakfast or brunch treat for any holiday or special occasion you're celebrating.
Check out the full list of cinnamon roll recipes , to find inspiration for any occasion!
Enjoy celebrating any holiday or Saturday morning with cinnamon rolls by baking these warm homemade cinnamon rolls, that taste just like those from Cinnabon.
Nothing quite compares to the feeling of walking into a kitchen filled with the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning!
Looking for more breakfast ideas to serve for special occasions that don't involve yeast? Try my Easy Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole or my Cinnamon Roll Casserole without Eggs...yum!
Table of Contents
- Cinnabon Copycat Recipe
- Pouring Heavy Cream on Cinnamon Rolls
- Top Tip
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Ingredients
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Roll out the Dough
- Rising Instructions
- Baking Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting
- Before You Begin!
- Prep Ahead Tips
- Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- Ready for More Delicious Recipes?
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Cinnabon Copycat Recipe
Cinnabon is known for their delectably soft and sweet rolls, which are made from only the finest ingredients. The base of each cinnamon roll consists of thick dough that has been slow-proofed overnight, allowing the flavors to deepen before baking.
Cinnabon is also known for their intense cinnamon taste. This recipe uses 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, which is a lot. If you're worried about the flavor of all that cinnamon, you can reduce it to 1 tablespoon.
This Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Cinnabon Copycat Recipe is topped with an awesomely indulgent cream cheese frosting!
Pouring Heavy Cream on Cinnamon Rolls
Adding heavy cream to cinnamon rolls provides a decadent texture and flavor to the classic dish. The richness from the cream balances out the sweet and spicy tones from the cinnamon, creating a taste that can't be beat.
Cream adds an extra layer of richness to the rolls and pairs particularly well with their sweet cinnamon flavor. Not only does it make them more delectable, but it helps keep the rolls moist while they bake.
Top Tip
The secret to this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Cinnabon Copycat Recipe is to pour heavy cream over the rolls before baking! This will make the rolls gooey and taste just like the ones you purchase at the mall.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Mixing Bowls (Set of 3), Ceramic Mixing Bowls, Serving Bowls
3 Pack Stainless Steel WhisksBaking Dishes, Rectangular Bakeware Set Ceramic Baking Pan 13 x 9 InchesChristmas Coffee Mug Set of 6SYRUP Ceramic Syrup Dispenser Jar
Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the filling for added crunch and flavor.
- Or try drizzling melted chocolate or add chocolate chips to the filling.
- Add a little maple syrup to the cream cheese frosting!
- Try my Cinnamon Rolls with Heavy Cream and Cinnamon Roll Recipe with Canned Cinnamon Rolls which also call for pouring heavy cream over the rolls right before baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the sugar and the yeast to warm milk. Stir to combine. Cover with a plate and let it sit for 5 minutes to let the yeast mixture proof.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar using the paddle attachment, then add the eggs and yeast mixture, mixing briefly and scraping down the sides. Add in the flour and mix it in well.
Step 3:Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, and knead by hand for 4 to 5 minutes.
Roll out the Dough
Step 4: Roll out the dough to 19 to 21 inches long. Brush the dough with butter, and leave about ¾ inch around the sides.
Step 5: Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it evenly over the butter. Cover the entire surface of the dough. Roll the dough up like a jelly roll.
Rising Instructions
Step 6: Slice the log of dough into 12 one inch pieces. Carefully place them into a greased 9x13 baking dish that's been prepared with non stick baking spray.
Step 7: Pour the heavy cream all over the rolls. Cover the dish with a towel or plastic wrap. In a warm place, let the rolls rise for about an hour or until they have doubled in size.
Baking Instructions
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool while you prepare the cream cheese frosting.
Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 9: Use your mixer to combine all the ingredients together until smooth. Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for about 15 minutes before spreading your glaze on top. If you spread the glaze too soon, it will melt and not be the proper consistency.
Before You Begin!
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Prep Ahead Tips
Check out my post on Freezer Friendly Cinnamon Rolls for complete details. You can easily make these rolls ahead of time and freeze so you're not that stressed making homemade rolls on a holiday morning:
- After you have sliced and formed the individual cinnamon rolls, place each bun on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer to flash freeze.
- Once frozen, you can remove them to an air-tight container and place in the freezer.
- Transfer the rolls from the freezer, allow them to defrost and come to room temperature.
- Then bake according to the recipe instructions.
If you want to give the frozen cinnamon rolls as a gift over the holidays, check out my Homemade Cinnamon Roll Labels with instructions for baking.
Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should stay fresh up to 5 days after baking...if they last that long!
Thawing and Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat any leftovers in the microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
Freezer: The cinnamon rolls can also be frozen after they've baked. Wrap them in aluminum foil and then place in a freezer-safe plastic bag or storage container for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You can make almost any homemade cinnamon roll recipe the night before. Start off by shaping your dough into a roll, preparing it as you normally would, and setting it on parchment paper in the baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator an hour before baking to let them come to room temperature again. Bake according to the recipe instructions.
Once the rolls have been formed, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer to flash freeze. Place the frozen rolls in a freezer safe plastic bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The secret to Cinnabon's iconic flavor lies in Makara cinnamon, a distinct variety renowned for its potent sweetness and subtle citrus notes.
Ready for More Delicious Recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Cinnabon Copycat
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar divided
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk 105°-110°F
- 4 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup heavy cream to pour on top of the rising cinnamon rolls
Filling:
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast to the warm milk. Stir slightly to combine. Cover with a plate and let sit for 5 minutes for the yeast mixture to proof.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and remaining sugar suing the paddle attachment.
- Add the eggs, mix in completely.
- Add the yeast mixture next and mix for a few seconds. Stop the mixer, and scrape down the bowl using a rubber spatula.
- Then add in the flour, and mix until well incorporated. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper. Knead the dough for about 4-5 minutes by hand.
- Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 19 to 21 inches long.
- Brush butter over the dough, leaving about ¾ inch around the sides.
- Combine the cinnamon with the brown sugar, and then sprinkle evenly over the butter on top of the entire surface of the dough.
- Beginning at one end, start rolling the dough up like you would a jelly roll.
- Slice the dough into 12 one inch pieces and gently place into a greased 9x13 baking dish that's been sprayed with non-stick baking spray.
- Pour heavy cream over the rolls.
- Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap.
- Let the rolls rise in a warm place for 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool while you prepare the homemade cream cheese frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Prepare the frosting by combining together all the ingredients in the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer.
- Once smooth, spread the frosting on top of the slightly cooled cinnamon rolls.
- If you add the frosting too soon, it will begin to melt.
Estelle Forrest says
This sounds fantastic. That frosting recipe sounds great. Thanks for popping by the last SSPS of 2024. I hope you will join us again in 2025, as I will be featuring your post!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
Cinnabon copycat rolls? I’m sold! These look just as delicious as the originals. Thanks for sharing and for joining Fiesta Friday party!
Cindy Rybaczyk says
These look outstanding! I forgot how much I loved Cinnabon... I'll definitely be trying these!
Lois says
Hope you enjoy the recipe! Thank you for visiting!