There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your kitchen on a lazy Sunday morning. To me, they pair perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee or a chilled glass of orange juice.
Whether enjoyed as a special breakfast for the family or saved for a delightful afternoon snack, these cinnamon buns have a way of bringing people together. Throughout my kitchen adventures, I've discovered that using a bread machine takes the guesswork out of achieving the perfect dough, allowing me to focus on enjoying the process (and the results).
Today, I'm excited to share a scrumptious bread machine cinnamon bun recipe that truly takes the cake—well, the roll! These cinnamon buns are fluffy, sweet, and generously iced; they make for an irresistible treat. Best of all, this recipe is super straightforward, thanks to the magic of the bread machine.
You'll have freshly baked rolls without the heavy lifting (literally, no kneading required!).
This recipe is your ticket to soft, decadent cinnamon rolls made with a time-saving approach. The bread machine does all the hard work of kneading and dough rising, resulting in perfect rolls with minimal effort. You’ll get to enjoy the joy that comes from homemade baking without spending an entire day in the kitchen.
What sets this recipe apart is its focus on fresher ingredients and a carefully crafted icing that elevates the overall flavor. I’ve swapped some conventional staples for cream cheese and a hint of nutmeg to add depth. This recipe is all about creating a warm, comforting experience that makes every bite worth savoring, while streamlining the process to fit busy lifestyles.
Imagine a warm, gooey center nestled within a fluffy, lightly sweetened exterior. As you take a bite, you're met with the cozy warmth of cinnamon, complemented by the richness of creamy icing. These rolls strike that perfect balance between sweet and satisfying—truly a comforting treat to brighten any day.
Here’s what you’ll need to gather for these heavenly rolls:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/45°C)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup melted margarine (or butter if you prefer)
- 4 ½ cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons bread machine yeast
- Filling:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup softened butter
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (a little secret ingredient for warmth)
- Icing:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Ingredients From : allrecipes.com
Making these cinnamon buns is a joy. Follow these simple steps, and you'll have drool-worthy rolls ready to bake in no time!
Begin by pouring the warm milk into the bread machine pan. Next, add the eggs, melted margarine, bread flour, salt, sugar, and finally, the yeast. It’s best to layer them in this sequence; for bread machines, this order helps create the right conditions for the yeast to develop. Now, select the dough cycle on your bread machine and hit start. Just sit back and relax while your kitchen fills with a wonderful bakery-like aroma.
After the dough cycle is complete, you’ll want to check the size—your dough should have nearly doubled. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Just give it a quick knead to remove any air bubbles, then cover it with a kitchen towel or some plastic wrap. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. This short break is crucial as it makes the dough easier to roll out.
Now comes the fun part! Lightly flour your surface again and roll out the dough into a large rectangle, measuring approximately 16x21 inches. Keep that rolling pin moving evenly; you want to maintain a uniform thickness.
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. This magical mixture adds the signature flavor to your buns. Spread the softened butter over your rolled dough. Don’t be shy; get that butter all over! Then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar evenly over the butter, making sure it covers every inch of your dough.
Starting at the longer edge, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log. Once rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into about 12 equal pieces. A good technique is to use a sawing motion rather than pressing straight down, which helps to preserve that fluffy structure.
Place your rolls in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking pan, ensuring they’re close but not touching. Cover them with a clean towel and allow them to rise until they are nearly doubled in size—this will take about 30 minutes. While they’re rising, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Once your rolls have puffed up beautifully, it’s time to bake! Place the pan in the preheated oven and let them bake for about 15 minutes until they turn a lovely golden brown on top.
While the rolls are baking, it’s time to whip up the icing. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat everything until it’s creamy and spreadable. The cream cheese adds a richness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon rolls.
When the rolls are done, take them out of the oven and let them cool in the pan for just a few minutes. Then, while they’re still warm, generously spread the icing over the top. You want that icing to melt slightly into the warm rolls—pure perfection!
- Measure Carefully: Baking is a science. Make sure you measure your ingredients carefully for the best results.
- Warm Ingredients: Using warm milk and room temperature eggs helps activate the yeast better, resulting in fluffier rolls.
- Fresh Yeast: Always check the expiration date on your yeast. Fresh yeast makes a world of difference in your dough rising.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: Letting your dough rise properly will elevate the texture and flavor. Patience makes for the best rolls!
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment by adding raisins, walnuts, or even chocolate chips to your filling for a fun twist!
Let your cinnamon rolls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be kept for up to three days. If you want to enjoy them later, consider freezing them after baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll be good for up to a month. Just thaw and reheat to enjoy that fresh-baked goodness again.
- Coffee Companion: Enjoy these cinnamon rolls with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea—perfect for a breakfast or brunch gathering.
- Breakfast Feast: Pair them with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a well-rounded breakfast.
- Dessert Delight: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Brunch Buffet: Make them the star of your next brunch buffet alongside quiches and fruit salads.
- Gift Idea: Wrap a few rolls in a decorative box and gift them to a friend or neighbor—share the joy of homemade treats!
- Milk: Swap out regular milk for almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
- Margarine: Use coconut oil instead of margarine for a different flavor profile and to make it dairy-free.
- Sugar: Try substituting coconut sugar for a more natural sweetener.
- Brown Sugar: Use maple syrup in place of brown sugar for a different flavor tweak in your filling.
- Cream Cheese: Substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter topping, albeit with a tangy twist.
Baking cinnamon rolls in a bread machine makes the process effortless and enjoyable. These buns are a delightful way to start your day or brighten an afternoon. They’re fluffy, filled with spices, and topped with a creamy icing that takes them to the next level. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll be bringing smiles to breakfast tables everywhere.
With each batch, I can guarantee that you’ll find new rituals and traditions to love—happy baking!
Today, I'm excited to share a scrumptious bread machine cinnamon bun recipe that truly takes the cake—well, the roll! These cinnamon buns are fluffy, sweet, and generously iced; they make for an irresistible treat. Best of all, this recipe is super straightforward, thanks to the magic of the bread machine.
Servings 12
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
- Measure Carefully: Baking is a science. Make sure you measure your ingredients carefully for the best results.
- Warm Ingredients: Using warm milk and room temperature eggs helps activate the yeast better, resulting in fluffier rolls.
- Fresh Yeast: Always check the expiration date on your yeast. Fresh yeast makes a world of difference in your dough rising.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: Letting your dough rise properly will elevate the texture and flavor. Patience makes for the best rolls!
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment by adding raisins, walnuts, or even chocolate chips to your filling for a fun twist!
Mary Siegel is a registered dietitian from Texas and the heart behind Easy Meal Recipe, a blog dedicated to making healthy cooking simple and enjoyable. With a background in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Houston, she shares easy, flavorful recipes designed for busy lives. Growing up surrounded by family and food, she now blends her love of comfort food with a focus on balanced nutrition. Outside the kitchen, Mary loves exploring farmers' markets and spending time with her family in the Texas outdoors.