14 Cinnamon Rolls I Would Serve In My Cafe

These are my favorite and most popular cinnamon roll recipes all in one place. They are indulgent and so delicious with step by step instructions on how to make them at home from scratch without any fancy equipment or ingredients.

This blog was a long time coming. I have been meaning to write about my love for cinnamon rolls since a while now. There is no better comfort than freshly baked cinnamon rolls at home, hot out of the oven. The buns are soft and fluffy, the cinnamon butter is gooey and saucy, the glaze/frosting is a supporting actor but works so perfectly every single time. The flavors of each cinnamon roll is distinct, they stand apart and if I started my own cinnamon roll cafe these are some of the flavors I would love to have. Fun fact, the first bread recipe I posted on this blog almost 8 years ago was cinnamon rolls.

There are some which I have not baked and tried yet but there are a few which I still would love to give a go. I have listen them too. So basically this write up is my love letter to cinnamon rolls and that comes with it. The comforting joy of eating them once they are baked but the actual therapeutic effect of baking them and feeding your loved ones also brings me peace. There are a few cinnamon roll “bars” around the city (Dubai) and I have tried a few, while they are good and nothing to fault on – I get a different kind of joy to bake them at home and feed everyone around me. So let us get to it.

What are cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon rolls are a sweet pastry made with a buttery brioche like bread dough that is layered with a cinnamon butter, rolled into a log and cut into pieces before baking. Commonly it is frosted with a cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze/icing. My classic cinnamon roll recipe is the best no knead dough you will make, it is so easy to handle, very fluffy and the perfect beginner baking recipe.

What is the difference between a cinnamon bun and a cinnamon roll?

A cinnamon rolls is thinner than a cinnamon bun. Also, cinnamon rolls are mostly baked individually but cinnamon buns are baked in a way that they are pull apart – this not a fact before you come for me but I have read it in a few blogs. To be honest the ingredients are the same and the filling is the same as well.the method of making the sweet treat doesn’t change.

What are cinnamon rolls filling made of?

The classic cinnamon roll filling is with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon powder and a pinch of salt. They are many variations on this recipe though, using castor sugar, cardamom powder, cocoa powder and multiple flavors such as Nutella, peanut butter, pistachio paste etc.

What do you eat with cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon rolls can be eaten on their own, dunked into a simple syrup, slathered with frosting or drizzled with glaze. Commonly served with coffee or tea these rolls are sweet so they are delicious with a warm drink to wash it down with every bite.

How do you eat cinnamon rolls?

There is no right or wrong way to eat cinnamon rolls, some eat it with a fork and knife, other ice into it directly, while some like to unroll them and eat the dough. You could eat them any way you like. I prefer eating them warm with my hands and biting into them for the best form of satisfaction.

What ingredients do you need to make Cinnamon Rolls?

Flour –

I have used all purpose flour and I think they give these rolls the best texture, they come out super fluffy and tender. You could use bread flour but it would be a little chewy in texture the next day.

Dry yeast –

I have used instant dry yeast, you can use active dry yeast as well. I haven’t made this recipe with fresh yeast, if you do let me know how it goes.

Sugar –

The dough calls for a little castor sugar, you can use granulated sugar or honey as well. This not only sweetens the dough but also helps the yeast bloom well. We also need brown sugar to make the filling, I wouldn’t recommend skipping the brown sugar for any other sugar as it adds caramel like flavor to the filling once baked.

Milk –

The milk must be pleasantly warm to the touch. This helps activate the yeast as well as starts gluten formation in the dough once mixed through. If the milk is cold it will not activate the yeast.

Butter –

We need butter in the dough and the filling. This recipe is not the one to look at your waist line. The butter in the dough keeps it soft like a brioche and the butter in the filling adds flavors and helps the cinnamon become oozy and gooey once baked.

Yogurt-

We add yogurt in the dough to make it tender and soft once baked. You could use an egg as well- it has the same effect.

Baking powder & Baking soda-

Might seem odd but this helps keep the bread light and soft once baked.

Cinnamon powder –

Can’t make cinnamon rolls without cinnamon powder. We need to add cinnamon in the filling. I wouldn’t skip on the quality of cinnamon here, as the better the quality the better the cinnamon rolls.

Vanilla & Salt –

I consider these as seasonings but they are absolutely essential in the dough. You need small amount of both but they go a long way.

Frosting –

My cream cheese topping is a cross between frosting and glaze. It is rich, delicious and perfect. We need cream cheese, butter, icing sugar, vanilla and salt.

What equipment do you need to make Cinnamon Rolls?

You could make this in a stand mixer to keep your hands clean for the most part. You could also use an electric dough mixer. I prefer making these by hand, it is therapeutic but also very easy. You need a roll pin to roll out the dough, a large mixing bowl to allow it to proof. We also need a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough and roll into scrolls. I bake these rolls in a 9 x 13 inch tray in the oven, you could do them in batches. If you bake them in a small tin they will take longer to bake and might over spill in the oven. To make the frosting we need a whisk and mixing bow. When being any kind of bread I like using a dough scraper.

Are sweet rolls same as cinnamon rolls?

While many recipes call them cinnamon rolls, without the addition of cinnamon they are just rolls, either sweet or savory. I have seen videos and blogs where recipes are called garlic bread cinnamon rolls, lemon curd cinnamon rolls etc and they are not cinnamon rolls as they do not contain any cinnamon powder in them – much like my strawberries and cream rolls. I would love to try these recipe too but I wouldn’t call them cinnamon rolls or buns unless they have cinnamon butter in them.

What are the types of cinnamon rolls I want to try but haven’t yet?

There are so many recipes I am inspired to bake, here are a few cinnamon rolls I want to bake at the top of my head: tiramisu cinnamon rolls, peach crumble cinnamon rolls, maple bacon cinnamon rolls, carrot cake cinnamon rolls, orange cinnamon rolls, almond croissant cinnamon rolls, blueberry crisp cinnamon rolls, masala chai cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cinnamon rolls, eggnog cinnamon rolls, cranberry orange cinnamon rolls, smores cinnamon rolls, double chocolate cinnamon rolls, maple pecan cinnamon rolls.

Tips for the best cinnamon rolls:

Bloom yeast don’t kill it
Don’t add more flour even though the dough may be sticky allow it to proof and then use oil to help roll it out
Cutting the dough into slices using a pizza cutter for clan edges or dental floss
Use correct size pan, all my regular size recipes use a 9×13 inch baking tray
Rise the dough in peace don’t rush it, the time may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen – hence do not follow the timing on the recipe but make sure it is doubled in volume
Watch out for over baking, always under bake or until it sounds hollow if you knock it as it will continue to bake in the residual heat of the baking tray
Baking soda regulates the dough’s pH, helping it brown in the oven hence do not skip it

Now that we have the basics of cinnamon rolls, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.

Garlic Butter Cheese Hot Cross Buns

My favorite no knead all butter hot cross bun dough...

Honeycomb bread stuffed with cheese (Khaliat Nahl)

This traditional bread is so soft, fluffy and tender. Each...

Banana Bread Batter Cinnamon Buns (no knead recipe)

Fluffy and soft, these cinnamon buns are so rich and...

No Knead Focaccia Recipe (with all purpose flour)

This homemade no knead focaccia is so simple and easy...

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pāo de Queijo)

The simplest gluten free bread recipe you can bake in...

Strawberries & Cream Rolls

Fluffy and buttery no knead bread, swirled and baked with...

Beignets (New Orleans Style No Knead Recipe)

These fluffy, feather light clouds of dough are square shaped...

Sticky Toffee Date Pudding Cinnamon Rolls

March 15, 2026 No Comments

Fluffy no knead cinnamon rolls layered with cinnamon butter, sticky toffee date cake batter and topped with a honey cream cheese frosting and toffee sauce. This is the ultimate cinnamon roll recipe and definitely an indulgently delicious baking treat.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cinnamon Rolls

July 8, 2025 No Comments

Soft and fluffy no knead cinnamon roll dough, layered with cinnamon butter, chocolate chip cookie dough and baked until buttery, gooey and delicious. These buns are topped with a classic cream cheese frosting and are indulgent but perfect.

No Knead Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls (eggless recipe)

June 17, 2025 No Comments

These buttery soft cinnamon rolls are fluffy, gooey and so delicious. With a tender no knead yeasted dough, classic cinnamon butter filling and topped with a cream cheese glaze that melts into the warm buns.

Brownie Batter CInnamon Rolls

June 16, 2025 No Comments

Fluffy, buttery and soft cinnamon rolls layered with a fudge chocolate brownie batter, rolled and bake until ooey and gooey. Topped with a cocoa icing for the most indulgent and delicious sweet bread recipe.

Banana Bread Batter Cinnamon Buns (no knead recipe)

May 28, 2025 31 Comments

Fluffy and soft, these cinnamon buns are so rich and delicious. Stuffed with a banana bread batter and cinnamon butter, topped with more sliced bananas and brown butter cream cheese glaze they are indulgent but so worth it!

Baklava Cinnamon Rolls

March 17, 2025 1 Comment

Fluffy, soft and gooey cinnamon rolls filled with chopped nuts, topped with crispy and golden filo pastry, drowned in a spices honey syrup and finished with a cream cheese frosting. The only sweet treat recipe to make this Ramadan.

Hot Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

November 8, 2024 9 Comments

These fluffy and soft buttery pillow like rolls are filled with an intense hot cocoa spread, topped with chopped chocolate and mini marshmallows. The rolls are baked until golden, frosted with a deliciously intense hot chocolate glaze and toasted marshmallows. The perfect Christmas morning breakfast recipe.

Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls

October 5, 2024 1 Comment

Fluffy and soft cinnamon rolls recipe that is easy to follow, not to mention it makes 4 perfect eggless rolls for a simple small batch baking project. Topped with a cream cheese cheese frosting for that classic flavor.

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls (No knead recipe)

September 10, 2024 No Comments

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls (No knead recipe)

Fluffy and soft yeasted pumpkin cinnamon rolls that is packed with pumpkin puree, brown butter, and cinnamon powder. This easy no knead recipe is warm and comforting for the cold fall mornings.