Few things in this world top a batch of homemade soft, sweet cinnamon buns just baked fresh from the oven and lightly drizzled with a creamy icing.
Best Ever Cinnamon Bun Recipe
Preparing these tasty cinnamon buns is a treat for the whole family and especially the little ones that love the soft and sweet dessert. While mixing the ingredients, keep in mind that the dough has a similar consistency to a pizza dough, soft and a little tacky and not overly firm. Once the dough is prepared it can also be put in the freezer to bake at a later date. We’ll often make a double batch, one to bake right away and the other for baking another time.
The cinnamon bun filling consists of softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and additionally, can include raisins if you prefer. We previously shared the recipe for making apple cinnamon buns; adding a unqiue spin to the classic cinnamon bun filling.
Most often than not, we top these cinnamon buns with a simple powdered sugar and milk icing but they can also be topped with a creamy and smooth cream cheese frosting, same as the frosting recipe we prepare for our classic carrot cake. Just be sure to use ingredients that are at room temperature when preparing and spreading the frosting over the buns.
Classic Homemade Cinnamon Bun Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup warm water; divided
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp yeast
- 4 cups flour + 3 tbsp flour
- 5 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ cup softened butter + 1 tbsp butter melted
- 6 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp vanilla sugar
- ½ cup raisins optional
Icing
- 4 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Mix together 1 cup warm water, granulated sugar, salt and yeast and put it aside for a few minutes to rise.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups flour, oil and ¾ cups warm water until well blended. Add an extra 3 tbsp of flour and mix for approximately 4 minutes.
- If the dough is too dry, add more water and if the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. The dough needs to have the same consistency as pizza dough.
- Divide dough into two and knead by hand for a couple minutes just to form into two balls. Roll the dough thin on a floured surface.
- Spread soft butter over top of the dough.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins (optional) and sprinkle on top of the buttered dough.
- Roll each dough by hand forming a long log about 18" long and then pinch the ends to hold its shape.
- Cut the log into 2.5” long pieces.
- Grease a large round or square deep baking pan.
- Line cut cinnamon buns into a pan leaving just a bit of space between each.
- If desired, open each bun just a little on the top to bake rose-shaped cinnamon buns.
- Melt 1 tbsp of butter and spread over the top of the buns before placing in the oven.
- Bake at 385F for 25 minutes. Check the buns while baking: better undercooked than over cooked.
- Remove from oven and allow it too cool to the touch before adding the icing.
Icing
- Mix milk with powdered sugar until well blended.
- Drizzle over buns while still warm.
Other Classic Desserts to Try
For more classic homemade dessert recipes that can also be enjoyed for breakfast, try some of these delicious recipe options:
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