My Mom’s Cinnamon Rolls

This is a family recipe that my mom handed down to me. It’s for the most tender, fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls with just enough sweet milk glaze.

Mom's Cinnamon Rolls

When mother’s day rolls around, I always feel a little stressed about how I’m going to honor my mom. She’s an amazing person. If you’re in her line of sight, she’ll become your mom, too – and not in a bossy, pushy kind of way, but in her own quiet way that says “I see you, and I’m going to give you help if you need it.”. She has a true servant’s heart and I hope to be just like her one day. One thing is for sure, she deserves more than I could ever give her.

Mom and I are really close and, well, here’s why. About a week before my ninth birthday my dad died. He had cancer. This was awful and sad as you can imagine (I’m sure some of you know the feeling first hand). My mom had to raise me on her own, and I know it was a struggle but she did so much for me as a single parent I don’t feel like I missed out on anything important. Now that I’m an adult, there are at least a dozen things that come to mind every day that I want to thank her for – or say I’m sorry for.

Mom.

Thanks for all the meals you made for me. I was not as grateful for them as I should have been.

I’m sorry for that boyfriend I had that one time (eye roll).

Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes when I was 16. I’m sorry that I did not always return them.

Thanks for helping me move all those times. If I were you, I would  not have helped me.

Thanks for teaching me how stir peanut butter and sugar together and eat it with a spoon. 

The list goes on and always will.

Mother/Daughter

Mom passed down to me a love of bangle bracelets and coffee the color of caramel (but I did not inherit her green thumb, darnit). She also encouraged me to make good food. Years ago she gave me a cookbook with all the basics, and I was happy to give her my own cookbook in return all these years later.

Last week she came over to my house and we made her favorite cinnamon rolls. They’re so fluffy and have just the right amount of glaze. I had three-ish straight from the oven and two more later that evening. No regrets!

Below is a complete visual to putting these delicious rolls together. I hope you’ll give them a try!

Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Mom's Cinnamon Rolls

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!  Hope it’s the best one yet!

Mom’s Cinnamon Rolls

Heather Baird
This is my mom's recipe for cinnamon rolls. I use the dough for all kinds of sweet breads – not just cinnamon rolls! Source: Mom (magazine clipping from 1976)
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water 90-110°F
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 6 cups all purpose flour sifted
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Filling

  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1 cup sugar and 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon mixed together

Glaze

  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons hot milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • For the dough, heat milk, 1/2 cup sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar melts and a few small bubbles appear at the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool while you prepare the other elements.
  • Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in very warm water (90°F to 110°F) in the bowl of a standing mixer (or a large bowl if you don’t have a stand mixer). Stir with the paddle attachment (or wooden spoon) until well blended. Let stand 10 minutes.
  • Beat eggs into yeast mixture. Stir in cooled milk mixture (it should be lukewarm), switch to the dough hook then add in flour a little at a time until dough is elastic. Add melted butter and mix, then add in more flour until dough is elastic and pulls away from the sides of the mixer. Note: you may not have to use all the flour. Do not add so much flour that the dough does not stick to your hands. Set a timer and knead with the dough hook (or knead with hands on a floured surface) for 5 minutes.
  • Place dough in a buttered bowl and turn it over to coat the entire surface. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place 1 hour or until doubled (mine took a little longer than an hour to double).
  • Punch down dough and turnout onto a lightly floured surface. Knead a few times and cut into two pieces. Roll out each piece to 15×12-inch rectangles.
  • For the filling, brush the rolled dough pieces with the melted butter. Sprinkle each with half the cinnamon sugar mixture and roll up jelly-roll style. Cut each roll into 12 pieces.
  • Place slices not quite touching in a well buttered pan. A 13×9 dish will work well, but I prefer them in 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Cover and let rise about 45 minutes or until doubled.
  • Preheat oven to 375°. Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes, or until golden. Keep a close eye on them so they don't over-bake!
  • Whisk together glaze ingredients, adding additional milk as needed. Glaze rolls in the pan while they are hot, or turn them out on a serving platter and glaze.
Keyword active dry yeast, cinnamon, milk glaze
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

You and your mother are gorgeous Heather, just like those cinnamon rolls.

Tieghan
Tieghan
10 years ago

Such a sweet post! Both you and your mom are gorgeous and these cinnamon rolls look so amazing! Yum!

Johnny
Johnny
10 years ago

Oh that's so lovely, what an awesome mum you have…you look very alike in those top pics! xx

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Your mom looks like she would be right at home in a kitchen with lavendar on the windowsill and honeysuckle around the door. As long as she remembers to always keep these buns in the kitchen as well because they look amazing.
I hope you both had a fantastic mother's day together 🙂

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
10 years ago

A beautiful ode to your mother. She must be a wonderful person!

Those rolls look heavenly!

Cheers,

Rosa

good times tora
good times tora
10 years ago

Thank you for sharing that! What an amazing woman. And what a lovely daughter too! And what delicious looking buns! x x x

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

This post was so heartwarming! I love the mom and daughter side by side photos. These rolls look delicious, too!

Amanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

Patricia @ ButterYum
Patricia @ ButterYum
10 years ago

What a beautiful post – I love the side by side pics of you and your mom. So sweet.

regan
regan
10 years ago

What a beautiful post! You've made your mother so proud, and there's no better gift than that! And those rolls look awesome, too! Thanks for the recipe!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Beautiful! I love that last shot of the rolls right before they go in the oven.

Julie (pharmbelle85)
Julie (pharmbelle85)
10 years ago

Your mom sounds like a beautiful, wonderful person, and you are wonderful for appreciating what you have in her 🙂

Mary Anne
Mary Anne
10 years ago

Heather, you look so like your mom! Thanks for sharing her….you might not have inherited the green thumb but you got the best part in baking and sharing your love of baking with others! Hope Churro and Biscuit give you lots of love today and happy Mother's Day!

Miss Messy
Miss Messy
10 years ago

Aw these look delicious! you inherited good baking then 🙂

A Luxe List
A Luxe List
10 years ago

These look sooo good, will try these this week 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Congratulations to your mother! You are very lucky!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
10 years ago

These look totally perfect!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

These cinnamon rolls sound really amazing! I love the look of cinnamon rolls touching. I don't know why, but it's just so appealing, and then they all get baked into each other. Yummy 🙂

italiangirlcooks
italiangirlcooks
10 years ago

Lovely post…very nice recipe/pictures…will have to make soon.

Gloria
Gloria
10 years ago

Wonderful Mother's Day post for your Mom, Heather! I am sure she was so pleased, and I'm also sure she is very proud of you.
Best,
Gloria

Gloria
Gloria
10 years ago

p.s. my Dad died when I was 19, so I sympathize with you. p.p.s. I am a single mother to my son (he's 22 now!) as your Mom was for you; and I am proud of him, as I know your mom is of you. And I, too, am trying to pass on my love of cooking to my son. However, he mostly likes to EAT the recipes, not LEARN the recipes. 😉
Best,
Gloria

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Happy Mother's Day! Those rolls look amazing! Funny, I just made cinnamon rolls this morning for my mom! I'll have to give this recipe a try.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Happy Mother's Day to your Mom. My mom was an awesome cook and baker who inspired to love my kitchen. She passed away nearly 14 years ago(cancer too). I miss her and I'm thinking of her today. Beautiful and delicious looking cinnamon rolls. Pure comfort food!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

These look so delicious and paired with a cup of coffee I would be in heaven. xx

Colleen
Colleen
10 years ago

what a sweet and loving post and for sharing your recipe with us.

I cut my cinnamon rolls using a length of dental floss; get nice, clean cut that way; to whereas with a knife, it kinda 'squishes' the dough when slicing

Tesei
Tesei
10 years ago

What a lovely post! Thank you!!

Heather @ Snookie's Cakes
Heather @ Snookie's Cakes
10 years ago

Such a cute post. Your mom seems like an amazing woman!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Thank you for reminding me how I shouldn't take my Mom for granted. I'm going to ask my Mom tongight if she'll bake with me.

Laura Dembowski
Laura Dembowski
10 years ago

What kind words about your mom. She sounds like a great lady. These cinnamon rolls look awesome too!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
10 years ago

I've always wanted to make cinnamon rolls,
but I'm so scared of yeast!

Magazine clipping from 1976!
You are such a character, Heather. I'm sure your mom's so proud of you.
I have a black thumb, too. My mom can make anything bloom.
Happy Mommy's Day! oxo

Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
10 years ago

This is my favorite post of yours, ever ever EVER!!! Can't wait to try these cinnamon rolls. What a sweet mom you have.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
10 years ago

I love this post, Heather. Such a nice message for your mom, she sounds like a pretty amazing woman.

SweetSugarBelle
SweetSugarBelle
10 years ago

You're a lucky gal, Heather!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Look so yummy! Pinning it now:-)

madscar
madscar
10 years ago

Love it! Thanks for recipe 🙂

Averie @ Averie Cooks
Averie @ Averie Cooks
10 years ago

Heather, they're gorgeous and thanks for posting this sweet post with pics of your mom – and of course, her recipe. I'd love one right about now!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

the little comparisons between you & your mum made me tear up a little bit! sometimes i forget how similar i am to mine – love the idea of putting the similarities together to remember 🙂

Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen
10 years ago

Loved this post, Heather! Stopped by to see what you have been up to (need to catch up on your blog) and this post caught my eye first. Like Mother, Like Daughter…love the side-by-side! Very sweet. 🙂 xo

CupCakesLondon
CupCakesLondon
10 years ago

great sharing… i like ur mom's recipe..
Sweet Revenge London

señorita percebe
señorita percebe
10 years ago

OMG!!
That cinnamon rolls look gorgeous!!
Im glad and thankful that you shared quite personal thinks like your mom´s recipes with us!
I also loved the relationship between your mother and you! I truly hope one day i´ll have the same relation with my mom!!
Greetings from Mexico!
Natalia <3

señorita percebe
señorita percebe
10 years ago

OMG!!
That cinnamon rolls look gorgeous!!
Im glad and thankful that you shared quite personal thinks like your mom´s recipes with us!
I also loved the relationship between your mother and you! I truly hope one day i´ll have the same relation with my mom!!
Greetings from Mexico!
Natalia <3

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

I made this last night with my wife, and sisters daughter, we overcooked the first batch but the second one was great! (Its amazing to have a loving/supportive mom!)
Who else made these cinnamon rolls

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

I made this last week. very soft and delicious. thank you very much!

qtpp
qtpp
10 years ago

Hello from the UK,

great post, mum's cooking is always the best. i love how neat and tidy your cinnamon rolls are. please check out my version on my blog.

CookieBakingBlog.com

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Ok–Just stab us all in the heart why don't you! what a beautiful post. Thank you for the beautiful photos and memories. Absolutely adore your website and I see now why you are truly inspired. Keep on baking & making gorgeous edibles!

Shimei
Shimei
10 years ago

Hi Heather! I've been following your blog for quite sometime now and I've tried making some of your recipes already. I've also been dying to try making cinnamon rolls and when I saw this beautiful post of yours about Mother's Day, I was ecstatic. I cannot wait to try out this recipe! I was just wondering though, if I were to use instant dry yeast instead of active dry yeast, should I change the amount I have to use? Will there be any alterations re preparations? Thanks in advance! 🙂

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

Instant yeast will rise faster, so the raising time could be greatly decreased – up to 50% less time. I'd use the same amount, but you can add the instant yeast directly to the flour and not have to worry about blooming it in warm water. You will need to add the 1 cup of water to the mixing bowl, regardless.

I hope this helps! Thanks so much!

simran
simran
10 years ago

i tried these today and they were ah-mazing! everyone loved them! 🙂 thank you so much!

Priscilla
Priscilla
10 years ago

I just made a batch of these cinnamon rolls. They turned out great! Half a pan got gobbled up immediately. Thanks so much for the recipe and all the lovely photos!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Hi! If I wanted to have these in the freezer, would it be better to prepare them than freeze, or bake them first, than freeze? I made these once before and they were amazing! Thanks!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

I've never frozen these before, but I'm almost sure you could prepare them and store them in the freezer until ready to bake Let them thaw and rise in a warm place before baking – much like those frozen ready-made rolls you get at the grocery store.