The Best Cinnamon Rolls With Vanilla Frosting

There’s nothing quite like a classic, sweet and savory cinnamon roll with delicious icing. Cinnamon rolls can be made in many different ways. Some have a vanilla glaze, others have a cream cheese frosting. Some have raisins or walnuts and others are made the good old fashioned way with butter, cinnamon and sugar. There are even some that are more crumbly than fluffy. It really just comes down to your preference.

One thing is for sure–you should always start with a solid cinnamon roll recipe and then you can make any alterations from there. With this classic recipe, there’s nothing not to love, as every bite is sweet and savory, making the perfect treat. 

This particular recipe makes a delicious cinnamon roll with vanilla frosting. Not too complex, yet will still blow your mind every time. It’s a great go-to recipe for you to enjoy with family and friends. Because this recipe is more straightforward than other overly complex recipes, it makes it a good foundation for those who like to add new flavors or fillings, making it easy to play around with.

With that being said, this recipe allows you to get creative with it (if you’d like). Perhaps you’d like to try your cinnamon roll with walnuts or pralines, chocolate, a tangy citrus curd, or whatever your heart desires. There are even a number of spices you can add to your filing, like nutmeg and cloves, making the perfect touch of flavor during the holiday season.

Regardless of how you choose to customize your recipe, one thing is for sure–your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you.

For Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups sifted, all-purpose flour
  • 3 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • ½ cup shortening or unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup milk
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • Cooking spray for greasing

For Filling

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • Raisins (optional)

For Vanilla Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2-4 tablespoons milk or cream

Instructions

Each category (cinnamon rolls, filling, and icing) are broken into separate categories as there are multiple steps involved in the recipe, making it easier to follow.

The Dough

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Take a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast into the warm water and let it sit until it becomes foamy (about 10 minutes).
  3. Take a large heat-resistant bowl, add the shortening. Take a heavy-bottomed pan, then scald the milk over medium heat.
  4. Let the milk cool down after scalding, then pour milk over the shortening. 
  5. Stir in the sugar and salt with a wooden spoon and let cool for a few minutes.
  6. Stir in the yeast and the beaten egg.
  7. Add in the flour cup by cup, mixing thoroughly each time. Make sure that the dough is not too soft, but is firm enough to handle.
  8. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the dough has become pliable and smooth. Steer clear of adding more than a few tablespoons of flour.
  9. Place the dough in another bowl that has been lightly greased with oil, cover, and leave in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.

The Rolls

  1. With shortening, butter, or a non-stick cooking spray, grease two 9-inch springform pans or one 9 X 13-inch baking pan.
  2. Once the dough is ready and has risen, pat or roll it out into a 16 X 10-inch rectangle. Brush generously with melted butter and then cover with brown sugar. 
  3. Sprinkle an even layer of cinnamon and raisins over the butter and brown sugar.
  4. Starting from one of the long ends, roll the dough into a tight cylinder.
  5. Slice the roll with a sharp knife into about 1 to 1 ½ inch thick pieces, which comes out to about 12-14 pieces.
  6. Place the slices into the greased pan, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for another hour so the dough can continue to rise. They should be doubled in size after an hour.
  7. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350 F.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
  9. Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a plate while you prepare the frosting.

The Icing

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Add the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla to a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture has become a thick consistency and there are no lumps visible.

Icing the Rolls

  1. Pour the icing onto the semi-warm rolls and enjoy!

How to Store the Cinnamon Rolls

It is important to note that cinnamon rolls can dry out easily, therefore, it is essential to keep them in an airtight container to keep them soft. They can be stored at room temperature for two to three days and in the refrigerator for about a week.

If you would like to store your cinnamon rolls for longer, they can be kept in the freezer for up to four months. It is best to wrap them individually with plastic wrap and place them in a zip-lock bag when storing them in the freezer.

Get the Best Spices for Your Cinnamon Rolls

At Grupo Canela, we are one of the leading wholesale spices suppliers in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. We source from over 30 countries around the globe and pride ourselves in acquiring spices from each corner of the world, as we strongly believe it brings people together where no other way can. 

Grupo Canela was founded in 1965 and has built a name for itself in the spices wholesale market, providing exceptional products for people around the world. When it comes to searching for “wholesale spices near me,” you will learn that we are proud to be #1 importers and exporters of Ceylon cinnamon, otherwise known as “true cinnamon.” To achieve the best results for your cinnamon rolls, you can count on our products. If you are interested in organic herbs wholesale to ensure your cooking and baking experiences are of the highest quality, contact us today!