Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe: 30-Minute Method for Perfect Rolls

The easiest cinnamon roll recipe requires just 9 simple ingredients and 30 minutes of active time. This beginner-friendly method uses a no-fail dough technique with instant yeast and delivers soft, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls without complicated steps or special equipment. Perfect for breakfast or brunch with minimal cleanup.

If you've ever wanted to make cinnamon rolls but felt intimidated by lengthy recipes, this streamlined approach changes everything. After testing dozens of variations over 15 years of baking, I've perfected a method that eliminates common pitfalls while delivering bakery-quality results. The secret? A foolproof dough that rises quickly and a cinnamon filling that won't leak during baking.

Why This Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe Works

Most cinnamon roll recipes require multiple rises, precise temperature control, and hours of waiting. This easy cinnamon roll recipe from scratch solves those problems with three key innovations:

• Instant yeast - No proofing required, works at room temperature
• Single-rise method - Ready to bake in 90 minutes total
• Stabilized filling - Brown sugar and cornstarch prevent sinking

Professional bakers often use these techniques but rarely share them in simple cinnamon roll recipes for beginners. This approach maintains authenticity while removing unnecessary complexity.

Ingredients for Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Makes 12 rolls | Prep: 30 min | Rise: 45 min | Bake: 20 min

Ingredient	Measurement	Key Substitutions
All-purpose flour	3½ cups + extra for dusting	Bread flour (for chewier texture)
Instant yeast	2¼ tsp	Active dry yeast (use 25% more)
Whole milk	1 cup, warm (110°F)	Almond milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
Unsalted butter	⅓ cup, melted	Coconut oil (for dairy-free)
Granulated sugar	⅓ cup	Coconut sugar (less sweet)

Filling Ingredients

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (prevents filling leakage)
• 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp softened butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

1. Combine warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and yeast in large bowl. Wait 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix in 2 cups flour until smooth. Add remaining flour ½ cup at a time until dough pulls from sides.
3. Knead 5 minutes by hand (or 3 minutes with dough hook) until smooth and elastic.

2. Roll and Fill

4. Roll dough into 16x12 inch rectangle on floured surface.
5. Spread softened butter evenly over dough, leaving ½ inch border.
6. Mix brown sugar and cornstarch, then sprinkle evenly over butter.
7. Roll tightly from long side, pinch seam to seal.

3. Cut and Bake

8. Cut roll into 12 equal pieces using unflavored dental floss (prevents squishing).
9. Place in greased 9x13 inch pan, cover, and let rise 45 minutes.
10. Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
11. Cool 10 minutes while preparing glaze.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with this foolproof cinnamon roll recipe, beginners sometimes encounter issues. Here's how to fix them:

• Dense rolls: Over-flouring is the #1 cause. Measure flour by spooning into cup then leveling - don't scoop directly.
• Filling leaks out: Cornstarch in filling absorbs moisture. If using regular recipe, reduce sugar to ⅓ cup.
• Uneven rising: Place pan over warm oven (not running) with bowl of hot water for consistent temperature.

Serving and Storage Tips

For the best easy cinnamon roll recipe experience, follow these professional tips:

• Serve warm with cream cheese glaze (mix 4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk)
• Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature for 2 days
• Freeze unbaked rolls: Assemble, wrap tightly, freeze. Bake from frozen adding 10-15 minutes
• Reheat in microwave 10-15 seconds for fresh-from-oven texture

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this easy cinnamon roll recipe without yeast?

Yes, substitute yeast with 1½ tsp baking powder and ½ tsp baking soda in the dry ingredients. The texture will be more biscuit-like but still delicious. This creates a quick simple cinnamon roll recipe no yeast version ready in under 45 minutes total.

How do I prevent my cinnamon rolls from becoming dry?

The key is proper baking time - remove when center reaches 190°F internal temperature. Overbaking by even 2 minutes dries them out. Also, brush with melted butter immediately after baking for extra moisture retention in this easy homemade cinnamon rolls recipe.

Can I prepare these cinnamon rolls the night before?

Absolutely. Assemble rolls in pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 18 hours. Remove 1 hour before baking to take chill off. This make-ahead cinnamon roll method actually improves flavor development while saving morning preparation time.

Why did my cinnamon roll filling sink to the bottom?

This happens when using regular brown sugar without cornstarch. Our easy cinnamon roll recipe includes 2 tbsp cornstarch in the filling to absorb moisture. If you skipped this, the sugar liquefies during baking. Next time, mix filling ingredients thoroughly before spreading.