If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the scent of warm, freshly baked Easy Cinnamon Buns wafting through your kitchen, you are in for a treat! These delightful sweet rolls are soft, gooey, and swirled with the perfect blend of brown sugar and cinnamon, all crowned with a luscious glaze. The best part? They can be made start-to-finish in a little over an hour, making them just as friendly for relaxed weekends as for spontaneous cravings. Whether you want a comforting breakfast, a cozy brunch treat, or just a sweet snack, this recipe ensures homemade cinnamon buns are always within reach.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Easy Cinnamon Buns couldn’t be simpler, and it all starts with a lineup of classic, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component plays a unique role, from achieving fluffy dough to bathing every swirl in sweet, aromatic goodness.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the soft, pillowy base of the buns and helps give that irresistible texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a light sweetness to the dough and helps feed the yeast for a perfect rise.
- Instant yeast: The secret for quick rising dough; make sure it’s fresh for the fluffiest result!
- Salt: A little goes a long way to enhance the flavors and balance out the sweetness.
- Warm milk (about 110°F): Creates tenderness and activates the yeast; use milk that’s gently heated for best results.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Melted butter enriches the dough, while softened butter gets swirled into every bite.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and gives the dough a touch of richness.
- Packed brown sugar: Caramelly depth and moist sweetness for the perfect filling.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm, spicy-sweet, and utterly essential—this is what makes the magic happen!
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth glaze to finish the buns with a glossy, sweet drizzle.
- Milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze to just the right consistency; adjust for your preferred pour-over style.
- Vanilla extract: Scented, floral notes that elevate the icing from good to irresistible.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Buns
Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough
Begin by combining 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg, then stir until a soft dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour as needed until the dough pulls away from the bowl. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, enjoying the springy feel until it’s nice and smooth.
Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
Pop your dough into a greased bowl, cover it well, and place it somewhere warm. Let it rise for about 30 minutes—this is your chance to grab a coffee or set the table. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks puffed up and has about doubled in size.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
While the dough is rising, take a small bowl and mix together your packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This combination is pure comfort in a bowl and will soon become the heart of your Easy Cinnamon Buns!
Step 4: Roll, Fill, and Shape
Punch down your risen dough to release any extra air and roll it out into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Slather on the softened butter—don’t be shy, every inch should be covered! Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mix evenly, then roll up the rectangle tightly from the long side, creating that classic swirl. Pinch the seam closed to seal in all that gooey goodness, then slice into 9 even pieces.
Step 5: Final Rise and Bake
Arrange your buns in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish, nestling them together for a snug fit. Cover and let them rise for another 20 minutes—just enough time for you to preheat your oven to 350°F. When they’ve puffed up, bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and the kitchen smells absolutely irresistible.
Step 6: Glaze and Enjoy
While the buns are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle generously over the buns, letting the glaze sink into all those cozy spirals. Now comes the best part—serve immediately and savor every bite!
How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Buns
Garnishes
A classic glaze is always a winner, but you can sprinkle your Easy Cinnamon Buns with a handful of toasted nuts or a hint of orange zest for a boost of flavor and elegance. If you’re feeling festive, a dusting of extra cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce turns them into a real show-stopper.
Side Dishes
While these buns shine on their own, pair them with a bowl of fresh fruit, a frothy cappuccino, or even a light yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness. For a brunch spread, serve alongside eggs or quiche for a delicious combination of sweet and savory.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re in the mood to impress, pile the buns high on a pretty cake stand, or nestle them in a lined basket for a rustic breakfast vibe. Individual mini-buns baked in muffin tins are delightful for parties or potlucks, and you can even stack warm Easy Cinnamon Buns with ice cream for a dessert twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any buns left (which is honestly a challenge!), simply cover the baking dish tightly or transfer the buns to an airtight container. They’ll keep well at room temperature for up to two days, staying soft and flavorful thanks to the rich filling.
Freezing
Easy Cinnamon Buns freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap each bun individually in foil and then place them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months—perfect for impromptu brunches or when you need an emergency treat.
Reheating
To bring your buns back to their freshly-baked glory, pop them in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. If reheating from frozen, let them thaw first for best texture and a soft, gooey center every time.
FAQs
Can I make Easy Cinnamon Buns the night before?
Absolutely! After placing the cut buns in the baking dish, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise a bit more in the morning before baking as usual.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
You can, but you’ll want to dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk first and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy before adding to the dough ingredients. This small extra step helps ensure a great rise!
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
No worries! You can substitute granulated sugar mixed with a bit of molasses, or even use coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor profile—just keep the ratios about the same.
How can I make these dairy-free?
Swap the milk for a non-dairy alternative (like almond or soy milk), and use plant-based butter. The result is still wonderfully soft and flavorful without any dairy involved!
Can I add extras to the filling?
Definitely! Chopped nuts, raisins, or even mini chocolate chips make delicious additions. Scatter your extras on top of the cinnamon sugar layer before rolling up the dough for a customized treat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with comfort and your mornings with smiles, these Easy Cinnamon Buns promise warmth, joy, and a little extra sweetness in every bite. Whether you’re baking for weekend guests or just yourself, this recipe is one you’ll want to keep close. Bake a batch soon—you’ll fall in love with how simple and satisfying homemade cinnamon buns can truly be!
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Easy Cinnamon Buns Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes rising)
- Yield: 9 buns 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy cinnamon buns are a delightful homemade treat perfect for a quick and delicious breakfast. Soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet cinnamon sugar and topped with a vanilla glaze, they are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms, adding the remaining flour as needed.
- Kneading and Rising: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Filling and Shaping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll out the dough, spread softened butter, and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll up tightly, cut into pieces, and place in a baking dish.
- Final Rise and Baking: Let the buns rise for another 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm buns before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add chopped nuts or raisins before rolling up the dough.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated for a few seconds in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
