These homemade cinnamon rolls have been passed down for generations in my family. The soft, airy dough is rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture, tossed with raisins and nuts, and drizzled with icing.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls on a wire rack drizzled with icing

Just the smell of these sweet and fluffy cinnamon rolls brings me back so far in time. This recipe came from my grandmother, (AKA my Bachi). The name of the recipe as it was printed out was “Gossipy Sweet Rolls” and my sister absolutely hated that name. (So naturally, that’s what we called it. 🤣)

These was a holiday tradition in our house, we had them at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. It’s a perfect way to bring the family together in the morning over coffee to talk about the fun-filled family day that lies ahead. And of course, kids love them too. Not to mention, you can make them ahead of time. Read on, my friends. Read on.

Can you make cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this cinnamon roll dough 3-4 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready for it to rise, roll out, and bake! Just note that it will take longer for the dough to rise as it will need to first come down to room temperature first.

You can also prepare these rolls completely 1-2 days beforehand, just store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator in the meantime. I recommend heating them in a 320 degree oven for 5-10 minutes prior to serving.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, these cinnamon rolls can be frozen. Simple store them in an airtight container in the freezer, they are best if used within 3-4 months. To serve them, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature. Then warm them in a 320 degree oven for 5-10  minutes.

What if my dough doesn’t rise?

If you’re baking on a chilly Fall or Winter day, it might be tougher to get your dough to rise as it needs to do so in a warm place. These tricks can get you out of a bind, just note that it may take longer for your dough to rise if these methods are needed:

–Method #1: (👉I like this method best)Preheat the oven to 315 degrees, leave the oven on, and place the bowl on top of a warm spot on the oven. For me, the warmest spot is right in the front of the oven between the front two burners.

–Method #2: Place a baking tray on the bottom rack in the oven. Remove the top rack. Boil water and pour it into the tray, then place the bowl of dough on top and close the door.

-Method #3: (Assuming you have a warm place for the dough to rise but it still isn’t)-Take a new package of yeast and mix it with 1/4 cup of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it starts to foam. Knead the yeast mixture into the dough, and place it in a warm place to rise.

Making Cinnamon Rolls

How do you scald milk and why?

-Scalding milk is the first step in this recipe, and it requires you to bring the milk to a near boil, remove it from the heat, and allow it to come to room temperature.

-Scalding milk helps to ensure that the dough is light and fluffy by killing the protein in the milk, which keeps the gluten intact. The gluten is what aids in the breakdown of the sugar and yeast, which in turn allows it to rise.

Homemade cinnamon rolls on a wire rack topping with raisins and white icing.

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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
5 from 2 ratings
Servings: 20 rolls
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This homemade cinnamon roll recipe has been passed down for generations in my family. The soft, airy dough is rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture, tossed with raisins and nuts, and drizzled with icing. 

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Dough

  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup margarine or shortening
  • ½ cup warm water, 105 degrees
  • 2 packages Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus ½ cup more as needed

Filling

  • 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup very finely chopped pecans or walnuts, plus more for garnishing
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup raisins

Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Dough Instructions

  • Scald the milk by bringing it to a near boil, then remove it from the heat. Add the sugar, salt, and margarine/shortening and stir until combined. Let it reduce to lukewarm in temperature, (105 degrees.)
  • Add the warm water to a large bowl and stir in the yeast until dissolved. Add in the lukewarm milk mixture along with the beaten eggs and 1 cup of flour. Beat until smooth, a hand mixer makes this easier.
  • Add 3 ½ cups flour and mix until a soft dough forms. If it is too sticky, you can add up to ½ cup additional flour.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  • Grease a large bowl and add the dough to it. Turn the dough so that all sides are greased.
  • If making the dough ahead of time, refrigerate the dough for 3-4 days from here. Then remove the dough once ready to continue and let it come to room temperature before proceeding.
  • Cover the bowl and put it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, this takes at least 1 hour. *See my dough rising tips in the notes if needed.
  • Punch the dough down, cover, and let it rise again until nearly doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Assembly instructions

  • Place the dough back onto a floured surface and roll into two individual 16 x 15 inch rectangles. (Each makes about 10 rolls) 
  • Brush the top of the dough with melted butter.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. Sprinkle it evenly over the top of each rectangle to within ½ inch of the edge and pat it down gently.
  • Locate the 16 inch side closest to you and tightly roll the dough up to form a cylinder. Repeat for the other rectangle. Seal the edges and cut 1 ½ inch slices, placing them onto a greased baking sheet as you do so.
  • Cover and let the rolls rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Bake the rolls for approximately 10 minutes, until they are a nice golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as the oven is hot.
  • Combine the ingredients for the icing and spread it over the warm rolls. Sprinkle with additional chopped nuts if desired. Serve immediately for super fresh results!

Notes

Dough rising tips: 

Method #1: (I like this method best) Heat the oven to 315° F and place the bowl on top of a warm spot on the oven. For me, the warmest spot is right in the front of the oven between the front two burners.
Method #2: Place a sheet pan on the bottom rack in the oven. Remove the top rack. Boil water and pour it into the tray, then place the bowl of dough on top and close the door.
Method #3: Take a new package of yeast and mix it with 1/4 cup of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it starts to foam. Knead the yeast mixture into the dough, and place it in a warm place to rise.

Freezing:

These prepared rolls can be frozen in an airtight container and are best if used within 3-4 months. 
To serve: Remove them from the freezer, let them come to room temperature, then bake them at 320 degrees for 5-10 minutes prior to serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 158mg, Potassium: 136mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1.8mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
This homemade cinnamon roll recipe has been passed down for generations in my family. The soft, airy dough is rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture, tossed with raisins and nuts, and drizzled with icing. | The Cozy Cook | #rolls #cinnamon #bread #rolls #brunch #breakfast #cinnamonrolls