The Sweet Taste of Delicious Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Why is Cinnabon so Unique and Not Copied?

Before we get into the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls recipe, you’ll gain a much stronger appreciation for the tasty rolls when you understand more about the history and the ingredients.

It’s All About the Cinnamon

Cinnabon uses a special type of cinnamon called Makara. Makara is a cinnamon from Sri Lanka and Cinnabon trademarked the name, as well as having some exclusivity in that region of Indonesia. However after digging deep, I’ve been able to find that this type of cinnamon is ‘Cassia Cinnamon’ which is grown in other areas of the region. I’m a big fan of Anthony’s products on Amazon and have used several of their products in previous recipes. This particular cinnamon is imported from India but packaged in the USA. You can also use Korintji Cinnamon which is a type of cassia cinnamon, which gives a strong, spicy, and slightly sweet profile.

The Fluffy Proofing in the Dough

The other key component in a perfect cinnamon roll is the soft, fluffy texture pastry roll. Cinnabon keeps the secret recipe but we’ve been able to get the scoop on some key elements for the perfect pillow fluffy rise.

• Warm 2% milk (You’ll use the heavier stuff when you build the roll)
• Instant yeast
• Room temperature eggs (Can you source local eggs from a local business or neighbor? Even better and will have more flavor)
• High quality butter (I’m a big fan of Kerry Gold)

Cinnabon has Fast Food Secrets

We’ve heard from our fast food insiders and was able to get some fun secret menu items you can get the next time you go to a Cinnabon.

Cinnabon Secret Menu Items

• TurtleBon: A classic roll topped with caramel sauce, Ghirardelli chocolate sauce, and chopped pecans – basically a gooey, heavenly twist on the classic. Just be prepared for the sugar rush!
• Caramel Lover: A cinnamon roll drenched in extra caramel sauce for those who crave extra sweetness.
• Cookie BonBite Sandwich: This one takes Cinnabon’s bite-sized BonBites and puts them together with their cream cheese frosting in the middle – a nice play on different textures.
• OREO Bon: The Classic roll gets a fun upgrade with crushed OREO cookies sprinkled on top. Almost as amazing as my Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard recipe. 🙃

Cinnabon Beyond the Secret Menu Items

• Center of the Roll: If you’re all about that gooey part (in my opinion, the BEST part), some locations might offer “Center of the Roll” options – just the center, doughy perfection of the cinnamon roll.
• Double Frosting: Who doesn’t love extra frosting? While not officially advertised, some locations might be willing to add a double dose upon request.

The Quick History of Cinnabon

As a fan of biographies and documentaries, I appreciate a company when I learn the roots a little more. The New York Times has an original archive of an interview they did in 1985 that featured the founder of Cinnabon, Jerilyn Brusseau; where it discusses sourcing local ingredients.

In 1978, Jerilyn Brusseau and her then husband transformed a former Shell gas station into Brusseau’s which featured her grandmother’s now famous cinnamon rolls along with croissants, danishes, and brioche.

Cinnabon was meant to be shared as a franchise from the beginning. If you’re really into the details of the story, Seattle Met gives a great story that outlines the success and how the franchise took place. But the takeaway, in my opinion, is it comes from a grandmothers secret recipe. And with that recipe comes the thought of putting your own time and love into your own cinnamon rolls.

Fun fact about Brown Sugar: Did you know that brown sugar isn’t considered healthier than regular sugar? Brown sugar is just sugar + molasses. I was today years old when I discovered this, and always thought I was making a healthier substitution, but I was wrong.

Cost to Make Our Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Cinnabon is definitely not easy on the wallet, and one large roll will cost you a hefty $7.59. In contrast, you can make a 9 x 13-inch pan of our Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for just $9.40. Wow! That is incredible. Especially when you consider that one pan makes 12-15 large rolls, depending on the size. 

Keep in mind that this total may vary based on your locale and ingredient availability. Here’s how that breaks down: 

Rolls:

• Warm milk: $0.25
• Instant yeast: $0.20
• Eggs: $0.40
• Butter (melted): $0.50
• Sugar: $0.17
• Salt: $0.02
• All-purpose flour: $1.35

Filling:

• Butter (softened): $0.50
• Dark brown sugar: $1.50
• Ceylon cinnamon: $1.00

Frosting:

• Unsalted butter: $0.50
• Cream cheese: $1.00
• Vanilla extract: $0.50
• Salt: $0.01
• Lemon juice: $0.50
• Powdered sugar: $1.00

Grand Total: $9.40

How to Make Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Grab your ingredients and prepare to make a batch of our Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. 

Step One: Activate the Yeast

Pour the warm milk into the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let sit for 3-4 minutes, or until foamy. 

Step Two: Add Eggs

Add the eggs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until combined. 

Step Three: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the salt and 4 cups of flour. Mix until combined, then use the stand mixer’s dough hook to knead the dough for 7 minutes until elastic and smooth. A little may stick to the bottom, but that is okay! If your dough is too sticky to work with, add the remaining ½ cup of flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. 

Step Four: Let the Dough Rise

Grease a large mixing bowl and set the dough inside. Cover with a towel and let rise for at least 30 minutes, or until doubled. 

Step Five: Add Brown Sugar Filling

Lightly flour your work surface and grease a 9 x 13-inch pan. Roll the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls dough into an even rectangular shape. Spread the softened butter over the dough and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the top. 

Step Six: Form the Cinnamon Rolls

Carefully roll the dough from the top edge towards the bottom, jelly roll style. Pinch the dough to seal, then use a serrated knife to cut the roll into 12-15 cinnamon rolls, depending on your preferred size. 

Carefully place each cinnamon roll into the prepared pan and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled. 

Step Seven: Bake the Rolls

Preheat the oven to 325℉. Bake the proofed cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool before frosting. 

Step Eight: Add Frosting

While the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe cools, make the frosting by placing the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Whip the ingredients on high speed until light and fluffy.

Spread the frosting over the cooled cinnamon rolls and serve. 

What to Serve With Our Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

These Cinnamon Cinnamon Rolls are great on their own, but you can balance out the sugar by adding a side of scrambled eggs. 

Storing Leftover Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

You can store leftover Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls in the fridge, covered, for up to a week or in the freezer for up to four months. We recommend freezing the rolls before baking and making the frosting the day you bake them. To cook from frozen, bake at 325℉ for 30-45 minutes, until golden brown.