Go Back
Cinnamon Buns
Print Pin

Cinnamon Roll Recipe (with a Pull-Apart option)

This is an easy cinnamon roll recipe that I make every Christmas morning. The dough can be made in the bread maker, but if you don't have one or is broken (like ours), it can be done with a stand mixer...or if you are strong, by hand!
Course Breakfast, Dessert, holiday
Keyword Christmas, Cinnamon buns, Cinnamon rolls, cream cheese, frosted, icing, Pull-apart
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author withinthisspace

Ingredients

The Dough

  • 1 cup milk Any kind at room temp
  • 1/4 cup water room temp
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 4 cups All purpose Flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 tbsp sugar You can sub for any sugar
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast

THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING SHORTAGE

Here is a recipe to use if you can't find instant pudding

  • 3 cups non-fat dry milk
  • 4 cups sugar You can sub any sugar (I use syrup)
  • 3 cups cornstarch
  • 5 tsp vanilla extract or powder (I use vanilla bean powder)
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
  • 1/4 tsp salt

The filling (I usually eye ball)

  • 1/4 cup softened butter enough to cover the dough
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon you can add more or less

The Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 oz cream cheese (use full-fat) 4oz = 1/2 package or 1/2 cup
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1 ½ cups Icing sugar
  • 1½ tsp milk any kind
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

THE DOUGH

    For the bread machine

    • Preheat oven to 350°
    • Add first 9 ingredients in order suggested by your machines manufacturer
    • Select the "dough" setting.
    • Check the dough after 5 minutes of mixing. ADD 1-2tbsp water or flour if needed
    • When cycle is completed, toss the dough on a lightly floured surface

    Making the rolls

    • Roll into an approximate 17"x10" rectangle.
    • Spread with the softened butter
    • Sprinkle a generous amount of the suagr and cinnamon mixture
    • Roll tightly, starting from the long side, rolling up. Pinch the seams.
    • Cut into equal sizes, approx 20 pieces
    • Place cut side down in a VERY greased baking pan
    • Cover with towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

    Stand Mixer or by Hand.

    • Mix active yeast with the warm water and let sit
    • Using the mixing paddle, beat Butter with vanilla pudding mix, sugar until fluffy. Add salt,
    • beat in the egg
    • Add the milk and stir.
    • Stir in yeast
    • Change to the dough hook
    • Add the flour, little at a time.
    • Take out and knead on a lightly floured surface until it becomes a nice and stretchy dough.
    • Follow the "Making the Rolls" instruction

    To Make Pull-Apart (our favourite with little people)

    • Follow dough instructions (either bread machine/stand mixer/hand)
    • Instead of rolling, make 1 inch balls and roll into the "filling" and place in a well greased/buttered bundt pan until the pan is half full (using all the dough)
    • Cover with a towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. It should be bubbly and slightly crispy on the sides.

    Cream Cheese Icing

    • Mix all ingredients together until smooth
    • Ice the warm rolls
    • Warm the icing up if you are wanting to make a dip for the pull-aparts (our favourite messy treat)