Soft, buttery rolls with cozy cinnamon swirls and the most magical brown butter cream cheese glaze.

There’s something undeniably special about a warm cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven. Whether it’s a lazy weekend brunch or a midweek pick-me-up, these Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls bring serious bakery vibes to your kitchen—with a rich, nutty twist that takes them over the top. The dough is pillowy-soft, the filling is sweet and spiced just right, and the glaze? Oh, it’s everything. Think: browned butter meets silky cream cheese… a literal melt-into-the-rolls situation.

Let’s roll!

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• ¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Glaze:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 2–3 tbsp milk (as needed for drizzling consistency)

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🔥 Instructions

1️⃣ Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly on top. This means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

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2️⃣ Make the Dough

Add the melted butter, eggs, salt, and flour to the activated yeast mixture. Mix with a dough hook (or by hand) until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

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3️⃣ Roll & Fill

Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle (about 16×12 inches).

Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle that generously over the buttered dough.

Roll it up tightly from the long side into a log, then slice into 12 even rolls.

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4️⃣ Second Rise

Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a bit of space between each. Cover and let rise for another 30–40 minutes, or until puffy.

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5️⃣ Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Don’t overbake—they’re best soft and tender!

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6️⃣ Make the Brown Butter Glaze (the secret weapon)

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool for a minute.

In a bowl, whisk the browned butter with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk until silky smooth and drizzle-worthy.

Tip: Add more milk a teaspoon at a time to get that perfect pourable consistency.

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7️⃣ Glaze & Serve

While the rolls are still warm, pour that luscious glaze all over. Let it seep into the spirals and melt down the sides—this is the moment of glory.

Serve warm, with a cozy mug of coffee or tea, and prepare to swoon.

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❄️ Make-Ahead Tip:

Want to prep these overnight? After the second rise, cover and refrigerate the unbaked rolls. In the morning, let them come to room temp (about 30–45 minutes) and bake as directed. Perfect for holidays or slow Sundays!

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✨ Final Thoughts

These Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls are pure comfort food—soft, warm, sticky-sweet, and dripping with nutty caramel-like glaze. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself, they always deliver that fresh-from-the-bakery magic.