Description

These Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll recipe, featuring rich, nutty browned butter in both the dough and filling. Soft, fluffy, and baked to golden perfection, they are topped with a smooth vanilla glaze that adds the perfect touch of sweetness. Ideal for a cozy breakfast or special brunch treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk, warm
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and browned
2 large eggs

For the Filling:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned and melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Brown the Butter and Make the Dough: Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt. In another bowl, combine warm milk, browned butter, and eggs. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine browned melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well mixed.
Roll and Fill the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it on a floured surface into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
Second Rise: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and arrange the rolls inside with space between them. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until puffy, about 30-45 minutes.
Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately to enjoy their soft, buttery goodness.

Notes

Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning and to develop the nutty flavor essential for this recipe.
For fluffier rolls, do not skip the second rise; it allows the rolls to become light and tender.
You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter version, though flavor and texture might be slightly different.
These cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat rolls gently in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to restore softness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: brown butter cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll recipe, homemade cinnamon rolls, baked cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls