The Best Easy Cinnamon Bun Recipe

Hi beauties! There's nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon buns baking in the oven. It fills your kitchen with cozy warmth and instantly makes any morning feel special - whether it's Christmas morning, a lazy Sunday, or just a craving you couldn't ignore.

I've tested a lot of cinnamon bun recipes over the years, and this one is hands-down the easiest (and most foolproof) version I've ever made. You don't need any fancy equipment - just a bowl, a baking dish, and a little patience while your dough rises. The result? Soft, pillowy buns filled with gooey brown sugar cinnamon filling and topped with creamy vanilla frosting.

If you've ever felt intimidated by yeast recipes, this easy cinnamon bun recipe will change your mind forever. It's simple enough for beginners and yields bakery-style results every time.

Why You'll Love This Easy Cinnamon Bun Recipe

• Beginner-friendly: No stand mixer needed - just mix, knead, rise, roll, and bake.
• Soft and fluffy: Bread flour gives these buns the perfect pillowy texture.
• Rich, buttery flavor: Melted butter and whole milk make the dough incredibly tender.
• Delicious cream cheese frosting: Sweet, tangy, and perfectly smooth - the best finishing touch.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prep the night before and bake fresh in the morning!

Easy Cinnamon Bun Ingredients

Before we jump into the steps, let's talk ingredients. You only need a handful of everyday staples to make these bakery-style cinnamon buns right at home. Each ingredient plays an important role in giving you that soft, fluffy texture and rich, gooey flavor we all love.

For the Dough

• Milk - Whole milk or 2% milk works best. It adds richness and helps create that tender, fluffy dough. You'll warm it just enough to activate the yeast (around 110°F or warm to the touch).
• 2¼ teaspoons (one ¼-ounce packet) quick-rise (instant) or active dry yeast - Yeast gives the buns their light, airy rise. Quick-rise yeast is faster, but active dry yeast works beautifully too - just make sure it foams before you mix it in.
• Honey or Maple Syrup- A touch of sweetness in the dough balances the salt and helps feed the yeast for that perfect rise.
• Butter (melted and cooled) - Butter adds richness and a soft, tender crumb. Make sure it's cooled slightly so it doesn't kill the yeast when mixed in.
• 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk (room temperature) - The egg gives structure while the extra yolk adds moisture and richness, helping the dough stay soft for days.
• Bread flour (plus extra for kneading) - Bread flour gives the best texture - strong yet pillowy. If you only have all-purpose flour, that's okay too; your buns will just be slightly less chewy.
• Salt - Don't skip this! Salt enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Extra-virgin olive oil - Used to grease the bowl while the dough rises. You can use any neutral oil here, but olive oil adds a light depth of flavor.

For the Cinnamon Filling

• Butter (softened) - This buttery base helps the cinnamon sugar filling stick to the dough. It melts into gooey layers as the buns bake.
• Brown sugar - Brown sugar gives a caramel-like richness. You can use light brown sugar if that's what you have, but dark brown sugar adds deeper flavor.
• Cinnamon - The star of the show! Choose a good-quality cinnamon for the best aroma and warm, spicy flavor.

Optional add-ins: A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for warmth, or finely chopped pecans for a little crunch.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese (softened) - This makes the frosting rich and slightly tangy - the perfect contrast to the sweet buns.
• Powdered sugar - For sweetness and that classic creamy frosting texture.
• Vanilla extract - A little vanilla ties all the flavors together and gives that classic bakery-style taste.

Tip: If you like extra-thick frosting, chill it for 10-15 minutes before spreading it on warm buns.

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Buns

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Warm the milk until it's just lukewarm (not hot). Pour it into a large mixing bowl and whisk in the yeast and honey. Let it sit for a few minutes until foamy.
Add the melted butter, egg, and egg yolk. Stir to combine.
Add flour and salt, then stir until a dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil, place the dough inside, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined into a thick paste.

Step 3: Roll and Fill

Once your dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 14x9 inches).
Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Trim the ends, then slice into 9-12 even rolls using dental floss or a sharp knife.

Step 4: Second Rise

Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover again and let rise for 1 hour until puffy.

Step 5: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon buns for 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let them cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting (the frosting will melt slightly into the warm buns - perfection).

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Spread over the warm cinnamon buns and enjoy every bite!

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Buns

• Use room-temperature ingredients for a soft dough.
• Don't over-knead. Stop when the dough is elastic but still slightly tacky.
• Check your yeast. If it doesn't foam in the milk, it's expired.
• Try overnight buns. After shaping, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temp before baking.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for extra depth.

Easy Variations

• Apple Cinnamon Buns: Add a thin layer of diced apples before rolling.
• Pecan Sticky Buns: Sprinkle chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce on top before baking.
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Buns: Add a small dollop of sweetened cream cheese filling inside before rolling.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• To reheat, warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds - just enough to bring back that fresh-baked softness.
• To freeze, wrap individual buns tightly and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm before serving.

Final Thoughts

These easy cinnamon buns are the definition of cozy comfort food - the kind of treat that makes mornings brighter and brings everyone running to the kitchen. Whether you're baking them for your family, a brunch, or just because you deserve something sweet, they never disappoint.

If you try this recipe, tag me on Instagram @nikkisplateblog - I love seeing your recreations! Don't forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.

Until next time,