If you are searching for the ultimate cinnamon rolls with vanilla bean icing, this recipe delivers everything you want in a homemade treat: soft, fluffy dough, rich cinnamon sugar swirls, and a smooth vanilla bean icing that melts right into every warm layer. These cinnamon rolls are perfect for weekends, holidays, or anytime you want a bakery style breakfast made right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing Recipe
These cinnamon rolls are special because they balance indulgence with careful technique. The dough is enriched with milk, eggs, butter, and honey, giving it a tender crumb and gentle sweetness. A short resting and folding process helps build structure without heavy kneading, making the dough easy to work with even if you are newer to yeast baking.
The filling uses brown sugar and cinnamon for deep, cozy flavor, while the icing combines cream cheese, butter, and real vanilla bean for a smooth finish that tastes luxurious but familiar. Every bite feels soft, warm, and comforting without being overly sweet.
You will also love how flexible this recipe is. You can prepare the dough ahead of time, bake the rolls fresh in the morning, and adjust the icing to your preferred thickness. These cinnamon rolls are ideal for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients for Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing
Dough Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, warm but not hot
- 1 third cup honey
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 and 1 quarter teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 and 1 quarter teaspoons salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Cinnamon Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 eighth teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla Bean Icing Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- Seeds from 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 eighth teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1 quarter cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
If you do not have vanilla beans, pure vanilla extract works beautifully and still gives excellent flavor. Whole milk is best for richness, but you can substitute 2 percent milk if needed.
If you prefer a lighter icing, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to thin it slightly. For a dairy free option, use plant based butter and dairy free cream cheese, keeping in mind the texture may be slightly softer.
This recipe contains no alcohol or pork products, making it family friendly as written.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs, warm milk, and honey. Stir until smooth. Add the flour, yeast, and salt. Mix on low speed or with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Add the butter pieces and continue mixing until the butter is mostly incorporated. The dough will look sticky and soft, which is exactly what you want.
Step 2: Rest and Fold the Dough
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 minutes. After resting, gently pull one side of the dough up and fold it over itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat this fold four times.
Cover and rest again for 20 minutes, then repeat the folding process. Do this a total of three rounds. These folds help develop structure while keeping the dough tender.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
After the final fold, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and improves flavor.
Step 4: Prepare the Filling
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn out the chilled dough and roll it into a rectangle about 16 by 12 inches. Try to keep the thickness even for uniform rolls.
Brush the surface of the dough with the melted butter, leaving a small border along one long edge. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered surface.
Step 6: Shape the Cinnamon Rolls
Starting from the long edge opposite the clean border, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam gently to seal.
Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 10 equal pieces. Place the rolls cut side up into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish, spacing them slightly apart.
Step 7: Final Rise
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let the rolls rise at room temperature for 1 to 1 and a half hours, or until noticeably puffy and touching each other.
Step 8: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly golden on top and baked through in the center.
Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before icing.
Step 9: Make the Vanilla Bean Icing
In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla bean seeds or extract and salt, mixing well.
Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth. Adjust consistency with a small splash of milk if needed.
Step 10: Ice and Serve
Spread the icing generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Let it melt into the swirls, then serve while warm for the best texture and flavor.
Pro Tips for Success
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smoother mixing.
- Do not over flour the dough. A slightly sticky dough makes softer rolls.
- Chill the dough if it feels too soft while rolling.
- Cut rolls with dental floss for clean edges.
- Let the rolls rise fully before baking for the fluffiest texture.
Flavor Variations
- Orange Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to the filling and replace vanilla with orange extract in the icing.
- Nutty Cinnamon Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before rolling.
- Maple Icing: Replace half the confectioners’ sugar with maple sugar or add 1 tablespoon maple syrup to the icing.
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add a thin layer of finely diced sautéed apples over the filling.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cinnamon rolls warm with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also pair well with fresh fruit to balance the richness. For a special brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a yogurt parfait.
These rolls are perfect for holidays like Christmas morning, weekend breakfasts, or as a homemade gift for friends and neighbors.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Store leftover cinnamon rolls tightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
To freeze, wrap baked but unfrosted rolls individually and store in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm, and frost before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~420 |
| Protein | ~7 g |
| Carbohydrates | ~58 g |
| Fat | ~18 g |
| Fiber | ~2 g |
| Sodium | ~260 mg |
Values are estimates and will vary based on ingredients used.
FAQ About Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing
Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the rolls the day before. Cover and refrigerate overnight, then let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.
Why is my dough sticky?
This dough is meant to be soft and slightly sticky. Avoid adding too much flour, as that can make the rolls dense.
Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes, you can freeze shaped, unbaked rolls. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and allow them to rise before baking.
What makes these cinnamon rolls soft?
The enriched dough, gentle folding method, and proper rising time all contribute to a tender, fluffy texture.
Can I skip the vanilla bean?
Yes, vanilla extract works perfectly well and still gives delicious flavor.
Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing
Equipment
- mixing bowl or stand mixer
- measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling Pin
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- oven
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, warm
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt (for filling)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (icing)
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or vanilla extract)
- 1/8 tsp salt (icing)
- 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Combine eggs, warm milk, and honey in a bowl. Add flour, yeast, and salt and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Add butter and mix until incorporated.
- Cover and rest dough for 20 minutes. Perform stretch-and-folds, then rest again. Repeat for three total rounds.
- Cover dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Melt butter and set aside.
- Roll dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Brush with butter and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
- Roll dough into a log and cut into 10 equal pieces. Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let rolls rise for 1 to 1½ hours until puffy.
- Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until lightly golden. Cool 10 minutes.
- Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla, salt, and confectioners’ sugar until creamy.
- Spread icing over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
These ultimate cinnamon rolls with vanilla bean icing are the kind of recipe you will come back to again and again. They are soft, comforting, and full of classic cinnamon flavor, topped with an icing that feels both indulgent and homemade. Whether you are baking for family, friends, or yourself, this recipe delivers bakery quality results right from your kitchen.
