No trip to the mall is complete without a visit to Cinnabon. The unmistakable smell of fresh-baked cinnamon buns can steal us away from shopping every time. That mouthwatering aroma comes from the company’s trademarked Makara cinnamon, yeasty dough and a brown sugar center.
To re-create the experience at home, use our Cinnabon cinnamon roll copycat recipe. It’s a perfect taste-alike!
How to Make Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
Here’s what you’ll need to make approximately 16 rolls.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Filling:
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, melted, divided
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Step 1: Prepare the dough
The foundation of your cinnamon bun is the tender dough. To get started, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. In another bowl, combine sugar, butter, eggs and salt with the yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (the dough will be sticky).
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled. It will take about 1 hour. Here’s what happens when the dough is rising!
Step 2: Add the cinnamon filling
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. (Did you know cinnamon has health benefits?) Punch down dough and divide in half.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into an 11×8-inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons of butter, then sprinkle with half of the brown sugar mixture to within 1/2 inch of the edges.
Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into eight slices. Place each slice in a greased 13×9-inch pan, cut side down. Cover with a kitchen towel.
Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°.
Step 3: Bake until golden brown
It’s time to let the magic happen. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Remove and cool on wire racks.
Step 4: Prepare the creamy frosting
It’s not a Cinnabon copycat unless you add cream cheese frosting. Beat butter, cream cheese, vanilla and salt until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar.
Step 5: Spread on the frosting and enjoy
Pair your roll with a glass of homemade lemonade like they’d serve at the mall. You can refrigerate leftovers, although we doubt there will be any!
More than 100 million deliciously fluffy Cinnabon buns—dripping with cinnamon, brown sugar, margarine and cream-cheese frosting—are sold each year. You might want to use your Cinnabons to make this wild Disney treat.
