Soft Cinnamon Buns Recipe – The Perfect Comforting Breakfast Treat
Introduction
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns wafting through your kitchen. These Soft Cinnamon Buns are the perfect combination of fluffy dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and a rich, creamy glaze. Whether you’re making them for a weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or just a sweet indulgence, these cinnamon buns are guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make!
Why You’ll Love These Soft Cinnamon Buns
Fluffy and Soft: The dough is tender and light, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone craves.
Perfectly Spiced: The cinnamon filling is rich and aromatic, making every bite bursting with flavor.
Homemade Glaze: The creamy glaze adds a sweet touch, perfectly balancing the spice of the cinnamon.
Great for Special Occasions: These cinnamon buns are perfect for a family breakfast, holiday brunch, or whenever you want to treat yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough:
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 45°C)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour (more for dusting)
For the Cinnamon Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for a richer glaze)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
Add the sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5–7 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well until the filling is smooth and spreadable.
3. Assemble the Cinnamon Buns:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about 12×18 inches (30×45 cm).
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Roll the dough tightly into a log starting from the long edge. Pinch the seams to seal the roll.
Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place the buns in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each one.
Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the buns rise for about 30 minutes, until they puff up.
4. Bake the Cinnamon Buns:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the buns for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. The buns should be soft and slightly spring back when pressed in the center.
5. Prepare the Glaze:
While the buns are baking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt (optional). If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar, or for a thinner glaze, add a little more milk.
6. Glaze and Serve:
Once the cinnamon buns are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the warm buns, letting it soak into the swirls.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
These soft cinnamon buns are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them with:
A hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Fresh fruit on the side, like berries or sliced oranges, to balance the sweetness
Tips for the Perfect Soft Cinnamon Buns
Don’t rush the dough: Make sure the dough has enough time to rise properly. This will ensure the buns are light and fluffy.
Room temperature butter: For the filling, ensure the butter is soft and spreadable. If it’s too hard, it will be difficult to spread evenly over the dough.
Cutting the dough: Use a piece of dental floss or a sharp knife to slice the dough into rolls. This helps create clean cuts without squashing the buns.
Make-ahead option: You can prepare the buns the night before. After assembling them, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just let them rise for about 30 minutes and then bake.
Health Considerations
These cinnamon buns are certainly indulgent, with butter and sugar being the primary ingredients. If you’re looking to lighten them up, you can substitute some of the butter with Greek yogurt or try using whole wheat flour. However, these buns are meant to be an occasional treat—perfect for a special breakfast or brunch!
Conclusion
These Soft Cinnamon Buns are the ultimate comfort food—warm, sweet, and perfectly spiced. They’ll fill your home with a wonderful aroma, and everyone will be eagerly waiting to dive into these gooey, fluffy treats. Whether it’s for a holiday morning or just a regular weekend, these cinnamon buns are sure to be a favorite in your household!