Soft fluffy cinnamon buns (Printable Version)

Soft, fluffy buns filled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze for any time enjoyment.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
04 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
05 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 large egg, room temperature
07 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup packed brown sugar
09 - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine lukewarm milk and active dry yeast in a small bowl and let rest for 5 minutes until frothy.
02 - In a large bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt; then add melted butter, egg, and yeast mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
03 - Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down risen dough and roll into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle.
05 - Spread softened butter evenly across the dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered surface.
06 - Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log and slice into 12 equal pieces.
07 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
08 - Heat oven to 350°F.
09 - Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They actually aren't as complicated as they seem, and your kitchen will smell like a professional bakery without the professional price tag.
  • The dough is forgiving enough that even if you're not a baker, you'll end up with soft, fluffy rolls every single time.
02 -
  • The second rise is shorter than the first but absolutely critical; under-proofed rolls stay dense, but over-proofed ones collapse into each other and lose their structure.
  • Timing matters less than appearance; judge doneness by the golden-brown color and a soft-to-the-touch center, not by the clock.
03 -
  • Use an instant-read thermometer on your milk; it should read 110°F, which is warm enough to activate yeast but not so hot that it kills it.
  • Shape the rolls with consistent tension so they rise evenly and don't bake with one giant puffed roll next to a flat one.
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