Classic Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet, and Irresistible Buns with a Buttery Cinnamon Filling

These classic cinnamon rolls are everything you want in a sweet treat—soft, fluffy dough, rich cinnamon filling, and a beautiful golden exterior with a glossy sugar finish. Each bite is a comforting mix of sweet, buttery layers, with a warm spiced center that melts in your mouth. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or save a few for later, these buns will quickly become a family favorite. With the perfect balance of cinnamon, sugar, and cardamom, they are delightful for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you crave something cozy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: You’ll love this recipe for its rich, fragrant flavor and irresistibly soft dough. The combination of cardamom in the dough and cinnamon in the filling gives these rolls a warm, aromatic depth that makes them stand out from other cinnamon rolls. The butter-rich filling melts into the dough as it bakes, creating sweet layers that stay soft and moist. Topped with a glossy sugar syrup, these buns are perfect for a cozy morning or an afternoon treat. The recipe also offers a great opportunity to practice different dough-twisting techniques, giving each bun a unique, handcrafted look.

Perfect Occasion: These cinnamon rolls are perfect for weekend brunches, holiday breakfasts, or even as a midweek treat to make your mornings a little sweeter. They’re especially great for special occasions like birthdays, holiday gatherings, or as a cozy dessert after dinner. With their golden, pillowy appearance and sweet aroma, they’re also ideal for sharing with friends and family. Whether you serve them with coffee or as a comforting snack, they will bring warmth and joy to any occasion.

Decoration Tips: For a classic look, sprinkle the buns with pearl sugar after brushing them with the egg wash. If you want to add a more indulgent touch, drizzle them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or cream after they’ve cooled slightly. For a festive twist, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract to the glaze. You can also garnish with chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for added texture and flavor. If serving at a special occasion, arrange the buns on a cake stand or platter for a beautiful presentation that shows off their golden brown tops and intricate twists.

Filling Ingredients:

• 75g (1/3 cup) room temperature butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 to 2.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar

Instructions for Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla sugar until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. Set it aside while you prepare the dough.

Dough Ingredients:

• 7g (2¼ teaspoons) dry yeast
• 1 cup (2.5 dl) whole milk, at room temperature
• 1.5 tablespoons ground cardamom
• 125g (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) butter, cut into small pieces
• 7 tablespoons (1 dl) granulated sugar
• 3⅓ to 3½ cups (8-8.5 dl) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions for Dough:

1. In a large bowl, pour the room temperature milk and stir in the dry yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes until the yeast dissolves and blooms. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel during this time.
2. Add the cardamom, granulated sugar, and half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Stir in the butter pieces gradually, mixing everything together by hand or using a stand mixer until a sticky dough forms.
3. Add the salt and gradually incorporate the remaining flour. Knead the dough for 15-20 minutes using a stand mixer, or longer if kneading by hand, until the dough becomes soft and elastic.
4. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
5. Spread the prepared cinnamon filling evenly over the dough rectangle. Fold the dough in half lengthwise, then roll it out slightly to make it thinner.
6. Cut the dough into strips about 1½ cm (½ inch) wide. Twist each strip into your desired shape—there are many techniques you can experiment with!
7. Place the twisted buns onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving plenty of space between them. Let the buns rise for about 2 hours. To check if they’re ready, gently press a bun—if the dough springs back, they’re good to go.

Egg Wash Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• A splash of water

Instructions for Egg Wash:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, and a splash of water. Brush the egg wash over the buns before baking to give them a shiny, golden finish.

Sugar Syrup Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (1 dl) water
• 3 tablespoons (1/2 dl) granulated sugar

Instructions for Sugar Syrup:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Set aside to cool slightly.

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Once the buns have risen, brush them with the prepared egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar for added texture.
2. Bake the buns in the middle rack of the oven for 15-17 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
3. As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them with the sugar syrup to keep them moist and give them a glossy finish.

Enjoy!