Sunday mornings are the perfect time to relax with a nice cup of coffee. But what could make it even better? A homemade treat! And while scones or croissants certainly fit the bill, freshly baked cinnamon rolls make a cozy morning at home that much sweeter.
Traditional cinnamon rolls are made by filling dough with butter and a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before cutting and baking them until golden brown. And this classic back-of-the-box recipe from Domino Sugar follows suit. However, this Domino sugar cinnamon roll recipe is kicked up a notch with dark brown sugar, pecans and raisins for added flavor. Of course, we knew we had to give them a try.
If you don’t have time to make cinnamon rolls at home, here’s our collection of the best store-bought cinnamon rolls.
How to Make Domino’s Dark Brown Sugar Cinnamon Rolls
It takes a few steps to whip up this Domino Sugar cinnamon roll recipe, but you can certainly accomplish it at home on a Sunday morning.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 3-1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
For the Filling
- 1/4 unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
For the Icing
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Tools You’ll Need
Directions
Step 1: Activate the yeast
Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the warm water and sprinkle the yeast on top. Stir to dissolve the yeast and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to activate the yeast.
Step 2: Make the dough
In a large bowl, add the flour, salt and granulated sugar and mix. Use a pastry blender or fork to blend in the softened butter until crumbs form. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, pour in the yeast mixture and mix the two together with a rubber spatula. As it comes together, continue mixing the dough with your hands.
Step 3: Knead the dough
Once the dough comes together, move it from the bowl to a floured surface. Knead the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes, or knead it in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
Step 4: Let the dough rise
After kneading, place the ball of dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it sit in a warm place until it doubles in size.
Step 5: Roll and fill the dough
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
Once the dough has risen, move it to a well-floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it out into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Combine the dark brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and pecans for the filling. Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over the dough. Sprinkle the melted butter with the filling mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll the dough up tightly.
Step 6: Cut the dough
Grease the bottoms and sides of a 9×13 baking dish or pan. Cut the dough into 12 1-inch slices. Place each cinnamon roll in the prepared baking pan. Let the cinnamon rolls sit for 30 minutes to rise again before baking.
Step 7: Time to bake!
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the tops of the cinnamon rolls with granulated sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Once the cinnamon rolls are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes.
Step 8: Ice the cinnamon rolls
In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and milk. Whisk well until smooth. Once the cinnamon rolls have slightly cooled, generously drizzle them with icing before serving. If you want to try more copycat recipes, then here’s our favorite Domino’s cheesy bread recipe.
Here’s What I Thought
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
First things first, I’ve never met a cinnamon roll I didn’t like. But these dark brown sugar cinnamon rolls take this classic to a whole new level!
The recipe definitely requires quite a few steps, but they’re absolutely worth the effort and extra patience. Adding the two eggs to the dough, along with the softened butter, makes for a delicate, fluffy, rich dough. I chose to take the easy route and threw my dough in my stand mixer when it was ready for kneading. You can certainly knead it by hand, or let your mixer do the work.
All too often, cinnamon rolls are all about the filling with little flavor in the dough, but not this recipe. It’s all about balance, with flavor in every bite. The filling complements the dough perfectly, with caramel notes from the dark brown sugar and added crunch from the pecans. And once the icing is added, it makes for the perfect gooey, warm treat paired with your favorite coffee.
Every Way to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Skillet Cinnamon RollsI love using cast iron to get a nice crust on these skillet
cinnamon rolls. The pan also makes an impressive serving dish on the table without it looking as if you tried too hard. —Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
Mini Maple Cinnamon RollsMaple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon
Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon RollsMy cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio
Chocolate Chip Caramel RollsAs a teenager, I keep active with sports and friends, but baking is my favorite hobby. My five older brothers eat these delicious breakfast rolls right out of the oven! —Julia Holm, Northfield, Minnesota
Caramel-Pecan Cinnamon RollsThese irresistible rolls are perfect as an
Easter brunch idea! - Louis Jacobsen, Dallas, Wisconsin
Overnight Cinnamon RollsThe wait may seem hard, but these overnight cinnamon rolls are worth it. These rolls are made with a doughy, moisture-rich dough packed with cinnamony goodness and are the perfect addition to your weekend brunch spread. Serve them piping hot with the decadent glaze dripping down the edges.
Gingerbread Cinnamon RollsThese cinnamon rolls are sure to please anyone who has a sweet tooth. They're just the thing for a Christmas morning treat. Be sure to eat them while they're still warm—they're best that way! The dough for these rolls is sticky, so don't worry if your fingers get messy. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon BunsIndulge in these pumpkin cinnamon rolls for a cozy and delightful twist on the classic treat. Perfect for autumn mornings, these rolls are filled with pumpkin, cinnamon and a sweet glaze that will make your breakfast extra special.
Giant Cinnamon RollThis must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, the sweet spices and the homemade caramel drizzle. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Air-Fryer Bourbon Bacon Cinnamon RollsThis recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to the cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Citrus Heights, California
Sticky BunsIt's impossible to eat just one of these soft, yummy sticky buns—they have wonderful old-fashioned goodness. Use the conventional method or your bread machine to make the dough. —Dorothy Showalter, Broadway, Virginia
Toffee Apple Cinnamon BunsThis recipe was my dad’s favorite growing up. He would sit and watch his mom sprinkle the dough with sweet filling, carefully roll it up and cut it into rounds. The anticipation waiting for them to come out of the oven was almost more than he could bear. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Cappuccino Cinnamon RollsDistinctive coffee flavor accents the filling of these ooey, gooey rolls. The glaze goes on while they are still warm—they won’t last long!.
—Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
Pumpkin Eggnog RollsI needed to use up some eggnog, so I swapped it for milk in my sweet roll
recipe. Even people who usually don’t go for eggnog go back for seconds of these yummy frosted treats. —Rebecca Soske, Douglas, Wyoming
Red Velvet Cinnamon RollsTurn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Best Cinnamon RollsWhen I married him, I discovered that my husband's family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I've been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas
Caramel Pecan RollsSoft and sweet, these rolls will get a lip-smacking smile from everyone. They rise nice and high, hold their shape and have a gooey caramel sauce that's scrumptious. There's no better way to start the day! —Carolyn Buschkamp, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Cinnamon Roll Cherry CobblerRed Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
Tender Pecan Sticky BunsThese homemade caramel rolls have the old-fashioned goodness my family craves. Tender and nutty, the buns disappear fast on Christmas. —Julia Spence, New Braunfels, Texas
Bacon Cinnamon BunsI absolutely love bacon! I also love recipes that blend sweet and savory flavors, so I put chopped bacon in traditional cinnamon buns for a finger-licking-good combination. —Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
Gooey Lemon RollsMy mother made these hard-to-resist rolls when I was young. I always warm up after having one, and so will your family. —Cora Patterson, Lewiston, Idaho
Cinnamon Roll CookiesI love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Caramel-Pecan Sticky BunsMy mother used to make delicious cinnamon rolls when I was a child. Later, she taught my sister and me to make them. I've since added the caramel and pecans. These scrumptious sticky buns are a huge hit wherever I take them. —Judy Powell, Star, Idaho
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll PuddingPerfect for dessert or breakfast, this sinfully sweet cinnamon roll bread pudding recipe is made with day-old cinnamon rolls, eggs, milk and raisins for a satisfying treat that practically makes itself in the slow cooker.
Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider GlazeI love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Molasses-Pecan Sticky BunsAs much as I like making yeast breads, I enjoy watching others enjoying my baking even more. These soft, tender rolls are loaded with the gooey goodness of molasses.—Shirley Saylor, Felton, Pennsylvania
Bite-Sized Cinnamon Roll CookiesIf you love cinnamon rolls and spiced cookies as much as I do, make this bite-sized version that combines the best of both worlds. — Jasmine Sheth, New York, New York
