There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filling your home. ❤️
On a cold day here in Finland, baking has become one of my favorite ways to make our home feel warm and cozy. Whether it’s for breakfast, afternoon coffee, or a sweet weekend treat, these homemade cinnamon rolls never disappoint.
The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make! You don’t need to be a professional baker, just a little patience while the dough rises, and you’ll be rewarded with soft, fluffy, buttery cinnamon rolls that everyone will love.
I love making these because they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends. There’s something special about serving warm cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, especially with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
So if you’re craving something sweet, comforting, and homemade, give this recipe a try. I hope it brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to ours!
Happy baking! 🥰
Ingredients
Dough
- 500 g bread flour (I usually use all-purpose flour.)
- 1 tbsp instant dry yeast
- 2 large eggs
- 250 ml evaporated milk (I usually use fresh milk.)
- 100 g butter
- 1 tsp salt
Cinnamon Filling
- 1/3 cup ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup muscovado sugar (I sometimes use brown sugar if muscovado isn’t available.)
- 1/3 cup instant coffee powder (optional; I haven’t tried adding this yet.)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 2 packs (2 dl each) all-purpose cream (called vispikerma in Finland)
- 100 g cream cheese (I use half of a 200 g pack of Philadelphia Original cream cheese.)
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant dry yeast, eggs, and milk. (I don’t usually activate the yeast first—I simply add it directly to the mixture.)
- Once the dough starts to come together, add the melted butter and salt.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes using a stand mixer, or for about 15 minutes by hand, until it becomes soft and smooth.
- Cover the mixing bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle.
- Prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing the ground cinnamon, white sugar, muscovado sugar, and optional instant coffee powder. (I usually skip the coffee because I’m trying to reduce my caffeine intake.) You can also mix in a little melted butter if you prefer.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice it into evenly sized rolls.
- Arrange the rolls on a lined or greased baking tray, leaving enough space between each piece for them to expand. (If you like, you can spread a little melted butter mixed with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and a pinch of salt on the baking tray before placing the rolls. This is completely optional, and I rarely do it.)
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese filling by mixing the all-purpose cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese filling on top. Serve warm and enjoy!
💡 Tips
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for the fluffiest rolls.
- Don’t overbake the rolls, they should be lightly golden on top.
- Enjoy them warm for the best taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and simply warm them up before serving.
Final Thoughts
These homemade cinnamon rolls have quickly become one of our family’s favorite treats. My toddler loves it so much! They’re soft, sweet, and filled with the comforting aroma of cinnamon that makes any day feel a little brighter.
If you decide to try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Feel free to leave a comment below or share your photos with us on our Facebook page.
Happy baking, and enjoy every bite! 🧁
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
— Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
May every meal we prepare remind us of God’s goodness and the joy of sharing His blessings with those we love. 💛
