The BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in Cinnabon? ›

Cinnabon's Secret Ingredient

This special Indonesian cinnamon, called Makara, is trademarked by Cinnabon. And because of that trademark, you won't find this product in your local grocery store spice aisle.

There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content. A single serving packs a hefty caloric punch, often exceeding the daily recommended sugar intake in just one pastry.

Structurally, cinnamon buns share the same spiral shape. They are sometimes thinner and more delicate. The most significant difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is the inclusion of nuts. Cinnamon buns often have pecans, walnuts, or even raisins in the filling.

As the rolls bake, the cream in the bottom of the pan heats up. Its liquid migrates up into the rolls, making them moister. And the remaining fat, milk solids, and milk sugars coalesce into a sweet, sticky syrup that coats the rolls' bottom (which become their top when you turn them out of the pan).

The main difference between the two is their fat content. Heavy cream has slightly more fat than whipping cream. Otherwise, they are nutritionally very similar. You can use them interchangeably in recipes without affecting the taste, although they may lead to different consistencies.

Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream? Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names.

Can cinnamon rolls rise for too long? Yes definitely! If you let your cinnamon rolls rise for too long you can over-proof them. This can lead to dense rolls or rolls that collapse after baking.

You want to add only the amount of flour that it takes so your dough is not sticky. Adding too much flour will make your rolls very dry. Once you have added the appropriate amount of flour, turn your mixer to a low speed and let the machine do all the kneading for you.

3) Don't roll the dough too tightly

It also ensures the rolls proof properly (they have enough room to expand!) and bake evenly, all the way through to the center.

Should cinnamon rolls touch when baking? ›

Place the cinnamon rolls into your prepared pan, with little room between each roll and ½ inch from the edge of the pan. Lightly press down on each roll so that the edges of each roll barely touch each other, and improve their round form if needed.

You may have simply not given them enough time for a second rise after rolling and shaping them. Because you're using a sweet dough, and then rolling it with cinnamon and sugar and butter, the yeast needs to work hard to raise the dough. You might also have rolled them too tight, giving them less room to expand.

If you want to go for a stronger or more unique flavor, consider adding some nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or allspice into your brown sugar and butter mixture. Once you've spread the filling over the dough, roll the cinnamon rolls back up and bake them.

If there are no buns in the oven, some store operators warm baking sheets of cinnamon and brown sugar to strengthen the aromas. "Aroma is who we are," Bill Gellert, president of Gellfam Management Corp., a restaurant franchisee that owns several Cinnabon restaurants, told WSJ. "It is our greatest asset."

In fact, cinnamon rolls are required to be baked at least every 30 minutes. And, in a tricky feat of resourcefulness, a few store operators “heat additional sheets of brown sugar and cinnamon to keep the aroma in the air.” Cinnabon is far from the only brand fishing for consumer dollars with tempting smells.

This unique cinnamon comes from the mountains of Indonesia and is known for its rich, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor profile. Makara cinnamon isn't just any cinnamon; its robust flavor is what makes Cinnabon rolls irresistibly delicious.

A Quick Peek at the Health Side

A classic Cinnabon roll packs quite a punch in terms of calories and sugar. A single Cinnabon classic roll contains around 880 calories and about 58 grams of sugar. That's a hefty sum, especially when you consider that the recommended daily sugar intake for adults is less than 50 grams.