These Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are super fluffy and pillowy soft with a gooey cinnamon-sugar center. Drizzled with a vanilla yogurt-and-cream-cheese glaze, they’re perfect with a cup of coffee.
Nothing beats a homemade cinnamon roll fresh from the oven. These rolls are straightforward to make and well worth the effort. I prefer white whole wheat flour in the dough for extra fiber and a slightly nutty flavor. The filling uses dark brown sugar and cinnamon, and a maple-sweetened cream cheese and yogurt glaze keeps the rolls balanced — sticky and satisfying without being overly sweet.
Recipe Overview
A Few Key Ingredients
Below are the key ingredients you’ll need to make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Full quantities are in the recipe card further down.
White whole wheat flour: Keeps the rolls soft and fluffy while adding extra fiber. Regular whole wheat flour will work but produces slightly denser rolls.
Plain Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and tenderness to the dough. Non-fat or reduced-fat yogurt can be used but yields slightly less soft rolls.
Whole milk: Adds liquid and some fat for a richer dough. Skim or 2% milk will work but the rolls may be less fluffy.
Quick tip!
Warming the milk to about 110°F helps activate the yeast and speeds the rise. If the milk gets hotter, let it cool to the proper temperature before adding, since milk that’s too hot can deactivate the yeast.
Instant yeast: Produces air bubbles that make the dough rise and create a light texture. Active dry yeast can be substituted if desired.
Cinnamon-sugar: Dark brown sugar combined with ground cinnamon makes a moist, flavorful filling.
Vanilla yogurt cream cheese glaze: A tangy-sweet glaze of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and maple syrup that melts into the warm rolls.
Using Floss for the Cleanest Cuts
Slicing a soft log of dough cleanly can be tricky with a dull knife. Unflavored dental floss works great for neat cuts: wrap a long length of floss under the log, bring the ends up and pull them in opposite directions to slice through the dough without squashing it.
This method keeps even pressure around the roll and helps you get perfect rounds every time.
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F), vanilla, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2. Whisk in the egg, Greek yogurt, and melted coconut oil.
Step 3. Add the flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth, soft, and slightly tacky. If sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time. Avoid adding too much flour so the rolls remain tender.
Step 4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 5. While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
Step 6. Punch down the dough and roll into a rectangle roughly 12 × 18 inches.
Step 7. Spread the cinnamon-sugar evenly to the edges.
Step 8. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife.
Step 9. Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish, leaving a small gap between each.
Step 10. Cover and let rise another 30 minutes until noticeably puffy.
Step 11. Bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until the tops are lightly golden. The centers should stay soft — avoid overbaking.
Step 12. Let the rolls cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 13. Whisk together softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and enough milk (2–4 tablespoons) to make a smooth, pourable glaze. Drizzle generously over warm rolls so the glaze seeps into every swirl.
How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Keep rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze baked, unglazed rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing.
Reheating: Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 10–20 seconds until heated through, or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Proofing yeast: Instant yeast can be added directly to dry ingredients, but proofing it in liquid first confirms it’s active. If the mixture doesn’t become foamy during proofing, the yeast is likely inactive and should be replaced.
Encouraging the rise: For best results, let dough rise in a warm place. If your kitchen is cool, place the covered dough in a turned-off oven with a mug of boiling water to create a warm, steamy environment.
Avoid adding too much flour: It’s tempting to add extra flour while kneading, but too much will make the rolls dry. Add minimal extra flour and consider using a stand mixer with a dough hook if you prefer.
Questions I Get Asked a Lot
Usually the room is too cool. Yeast needs warmth, so move the dough to a warmer spot. Dough may also fail to rise if the yeast was old or killed by liquid that was too hot.
Yes. Place shaped, unbaked rolls in the baking dish, cover lightly with oiled plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake as directed.
Dough should be slightly sticky to yield tender rolls. If it’s overly sticky, add a bit more flour and knead longer. Properly kneaded dough will become only slightly tacky.
More Wholesome Desserts
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- No Bake Cheesecake
- Lemon Pound Cake
- Coffee Cake Muffins
- Blueberry Cobbler
- Peach Dump Cake
- No Bake Buckeye Balls
- Almond Butter Cookies
Made these? Leave a comment below and tell me how they turned out. Tag me on Instagram if you’d like me to see your cinnamon rolls.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls With Greek Yogurt
These Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are fluffy with a gooey cinnamon center and a vanilla yogurt and cream cheese glaze — ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough
- ¾ cup warm whole milk, 110°F
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup refined coconut oil, melted
- 3¼ cups white whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Cinnamon Filling
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Vanilla Yogurt Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons milk, as needed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup warm whole milk, 2 tsp vanilla, ¼ cup white sugar, and 2¼ tsp instant yeast. Let sit about 5 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in 1 large egg, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, and ¼ cup melted coconut oil.
- Add 3¼ cups white whole wheat flour and ½ tsp fine salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth, soft, and slightly tacky. Add flour sparingly if sticky.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Make the filling by combining 2/3 cup dark brown sugar and 3 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Punch down the dough and roll into a rectangle about 12 × 18 inches.
- Spread the cinnamon sugar evenly to the edges.
- Starting on the long side, roll tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife.
- Arrange rolls in a lightly greased 9 × 13-inch dish, leaving a little space between each.
- Cover and let rise another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until tops are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Allow rolls to cool about 10 minutes. Whisk together 4 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2–4 tbsp milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls so the glaze melts into the swirls.
Notes
- Proofing yeast: Proofing instant yeast in liquid first ensures it’s active. If it doesn’t foam, replace the yeast.
- Helpful rise tip: For a consistent rise, use a warm spot or a switched-off oven with a mug of hot water to create steam.
- Flour caution: Add minimal extra flour when kneading to keep the dough tender. A stand mixer with a dough hook can help achieve the right texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 roll
Calories: 272 kcal | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 8 g | Fiber: 4 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe? Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals on Instagram so I can see your rolls.