Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe (2024)

Home / Recipe / Breakfast Recipe / Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe

ByKeri Lyn Published on Updated on

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more details.

Jump to Recipe

If you want to make the very best cinnamon rolls then you will love my Grammy’s cinnamon roll recipe. They are easy to make and taste deliciously old fashioned.

Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe (1)

Table Of Contents

1Ingredients for BEST Cinnamon Rolls

3Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe

3.1Ingredients

3.2Instructions

3.3Notes

3.4Did you make this recipe?

But I can’t take the credit, this is my Grandma Betty’s original recipe, that my mom has played with and perfected over the years. She makes this EVERY Christmas Eve for use to enjoy on Christmas Day. And truly, this is the best homemade cinnamon roll recipe I’ve ever made.

This recipe won’t let you down, so amazing and it these definitely have that “made from scratch” awesomeness.

Ingredients for BEST Cinnamon Rolls

1 C. Milk (2% or whole milk work best)
1/4 C. Shortening
1 package active dry yeast (I prefer Fleischmann’s RapidRise for a better rise, but any yeast will work)
2 well beaten eggs
1/4 C. Sugar
1 t. salt
1/4 C. warm water
3 1/2 Cups Flour (All Purpose Flour or Bread Flour)
Butter (to spread on rolled dough)
Ingredients for cinnamon sugar mixture for sprinkling: Sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon

How to make Grandma Betty’s Cinnamon Rolls

Combine milk, shortening, sugar and salt.

Cook on stove just until bubbles form around edge of pot. (don’t boil)

Cool to lukewarm. I then add the warm milk mixture to my mixing bowl and do everything from this point on in the mixer.

Add yeast to 1/4 cup very warm water (check temperature on yeast package to activate) then add water/yeast mixture to the lukewarm milk mixture.

Add Eggs. Gradually stir in flour to form soft dough. Beat vigorously. Cover with damp cloth and let the dough rise. For this first rise, let it rise until double – turn out onto a floured surface; knead dough slightly. For the second rise – let rise again for 10 minutes (covered).

Use a rolling pin to roll out to 1/4″ – spread on butter and then sprinkle with white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins (optional). How much you add is really up to you, I like to do a nice thin coat of white sugar and then follow with a matching amount of brown sugar and then the cinnamon.

Roll it up (like a rug, literally) and then cut into slices. Place the unbaked rolls in pans and cover, let rise again to double.

Bake at 350degrees for 15 minutes (or until cinnamon buns are golden brown)

Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe (2)

Once they come out of the oven, make your icing (I use 4 cups powdered sugar and just add milk – it doesn’t take much at all, so add very slowly and carefully) and a touch of vanilla. Spread/drizzle icing over the top of the warm rolls and let them continue to cool.

Pure heaven right there in your kitchen, and you’ll love the fragrance of that very first batch, so good!

I have started using parchment paper under my rolls and I don’t think it necessarily makes them taste or bakeany better, but it does help with easy of serving and clean up.

I have also started usingFleischmann’s RapidRise yeast packets and I feel like I get a better rise out of them however, that might vary depending on where you live, climate, etc. Another pro tip: the more butter, the more flavor they’ll have so if you really want to make them extra heavenly, you can add extra butter (don’t add too much butter or the only thing they’ll be greasy) but I have learned that a little bit more does make them even more delicious in terms of yummy gooey cinnamon rolls go.

This recipe is also a wonderful one for making gifts for family members and friends. It’s a simple recipe that is wonderful for any special occasion and as I mentioned, it really is the best homemade cinnamon rolls recipe that I’ve tried. It makes wonderfully fluffy cinnamon rolls and is so much better than other recipes I’ve tested over the years.

I have tried these with cream cheese frosting, so that’s another option if you are looking for ways to change them up. It’s such a delicious recipe that you can kind of play with the different options once you’ve made it a few times. It’s been one of the most popular recipes on my blog for years and I get compliments on it all the time.

To store your cinnamon rolls cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh until the next day – that is – if you have any left over!

If you want to get creative, you could even turn these into fun Santa Cinnamon Rolls like we did last year!

As I mentioned above, my mom always sends us home with a pan of these on Christmas Eve. Such a fun part of our Christmas, a tradition that we look forward to every year. What Christmas traditions do you have?

Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe (3)

The very BEST Cinnamon Roll recipe is my Grammy's recipe. It's one that never disappoints and we make it every year. So easy and perfect for the holidays or any time of year. You can make this with or without raisins.

Ingredients

  • 1 C. Milk
  • 1/4 C. Shortening
  • 1 package yeast (I preferFleischmann’s RapidRise for a better rise, but any yeast will work)
  • 2 well beaten eggs
  • 1/4 C. Sugar
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1/4 C. warm water
  • 3 1/2 C. Flour

Instructions

    Butter (to spread on rolled dough)
    Ingredients for sprinkling: Sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon
    Combine milk, shortening, sugar and salt.
    Cook on stove just until bubbles form around edge of pot. (don’t boil)
    Cool to lukewarm. I then add the milk mixture to my mixing bowl and do everything from this point on in the mixer.
    Add yeast to 1/4 cup very warm water (check temperature on yeast package to activate) then add water/yeast mixture to the lukewarm milk mixture.
    Add Eggs. Gradually stir in flour to form soft dough. Beat vigorously. Cover with damp cloth. Let rise until double – turn out onto a floured surface; knead dough slightly. Let rise 10 minutes (covered).
    Roll out to 1/4″ – spread on butter and then sprinkle with white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins(optional). How much you add is really up to you, I like to do a nice thin coat of white sugar and then follow with a matching amount of brown sugar and then the cinnamon.
    Roll it up (like a rug, literally) and then cut into slices. Place in pans and cover, let rise again to double.

    Bake at 350degrees for 15 minutes (or until golden)

Notes

Once they come out of the oven, make your icing (I use 4 cups powdered sugar and just add milk (doesn’t take much at all, so add very slowly and carefully) and a touch of vanilla. Spread/drizzle icing over the top of them and let them continue to cool.

I have started using parchment paper under my rolls and I don’t think it necessarily makes them taste or bakeany better, but it does help with easy of serving and clean up. I have also started usingFleischmann’s RapidRise yeast packets and I feel like I get a better rise out of them however, that might vary depending on where you live, climate, etc.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Grammy’s BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why pour milk on cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

What is the secret to Cinnabon? ›

Cinnabon's Secret Ingredient

This special Indonesian cinnamon, called Makara, is trademarked by Cinnabon. And because of that trademark, you won't find this product in your local grocery store spice aisle.

Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar in cinnamon rolls? ›

Use brown sugar or granulated sugar in the filling: I used to use granulated sugar in the cinnamon sugar filling, but recently switched to brown sugar for extra flavor. Brown sugar doesn't necessarily make the filling more moist—there's so much butter, so it's moist and gooey either way. Use whichever sugar you prefer.

Is heavy whipping cream the same as heavy cream? ›

Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names. According to the US Food and Drug Administration's labelling standards, heavy cream must contain at least 36 percent milk fat.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in cinnamon rolls? ›

For 1 cup heavy cream, use 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted butter, or thicken 1 cup milk with 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour. (Whisk milk into cornstarch or flour little by little.) Coconut milk, coconut cream (beware of increased sweetness), or cream cheese whisked with a little water also work.

Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy? ›

There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

Should cinnamon rolls be touching when baking? ›

Place the cinnamon rolls into your prepared pan, with little room between each roll and ½ inch from the edge of the pan. Lightly press down on each roll so that the edges of each roll barely touch each other, and improve their round form if needed.

What is the most unhealthy Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content.

Why did Cinnabon discontinue cinnamon sticks? ›

ATLANTA, May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bakery supplier, CSM Bakery Solutions, recently notified Cinnabon® of the recall of Cinnabon Stix due to the possible presence of peanut allergens in an ingredient used in Cinnabon Stix.

Is dark or light brown sugar better for cinnamon rolls? ›

The higher amounts of protein help to produce more gluten, which gives cinnamon roll the chewy, soft texture you know and love. Brown sugar: personally, I love using dark brown sugar for more robust molasses sweet flavor in those cinnamon swirls, but light brown sugar will work!

What's the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns? ›

Structurally, cinnamon buns share the same spiral shape. They are sometimes thinner and more delicate. The most significant difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is the inclusion of nuts. Cinnamon buns often have pecans, walnuts, or even raisins in the filling.

Why do my cinnamon rolls have gaps? ›

Gaps can form between the dough and cinnamon swirl in your homemade cinnamon swirl bread. It's happened to me plenty of times! It's the moistened dough separating from the dry cinnamon-sugar mixture as it bakes. To help prevent this, make sure you are brushing the dough with egg white before adding the cinnamon sugar.

What does heavy cream do to dough? ›

Due to heavy cream's high fat content, adding it to the rolls just before baking adds moisture and acts as a tenderizer to baked treats.

What can I put on top of my cinnamon rolls? ›

Classic Sweet Cinnamon Roll Toppings
  1. Cream Cheese Frosting. This frosting is just the right mix of sweetness and tanginess, with a creamy texture that perfectly complements the warm, gooey rolls. ...
  2. Vanilla Glaze. ...
  3. Sugar Glaze. ...
  4. Caramel Drizzle. ...
  5. Chocolate Sauce. ...
  6. Coffee Glaze.
Nov 5, 2023

How much heavy cream on cinnamon rolls reddit? ›

Pour approximately 1/4 cup of heavy cream (also known as whipping cream) on top of and in between the rolls. Bake as usual. Ill never skip this step again, they come out twice the size and fluffy.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 6217

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.