Soft Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

Light and fluffy cinnamon rolls baked to perfection and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, perfect for a cozy breakfast or Valentine’s Day treat. This american-inspired valentine’s day ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, warmed to 110°F whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup, warmed to 110°F whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup, melted unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp whole milk (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast over 1 cup warmed whole milk at 110°F and 1 tbsp granulated sugar (from total) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt; mix well.
3. Step 3: Add 2 large eggs and 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture, then pour into the flour mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
6. Step 6: Mix 3/4 cup brown sugar with 2 tbsp ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Roll up the dough tightly from the long side into a log, then cut into 12 equal rolls.
8. Step 8: Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
9. Step 9: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
10. Step 10: While rolls bake, whisk 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3 tbsp whole milk until smooth.
11. Step 11: Drizzle vanilla glaze over warm rolls before serving.