Name: Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup milk; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Is there anything better than waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of something sweet baking? For me, it’s pure magic! It instantly transports me back to being a kid, tiptoeing downstairs before anyone else to catch a whiff of whatever deliciousness Mom was whipping up. These Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls are my absolute go-to for creating that same nostalgic joy for my own family. They’re soft, gooey, perfectly spiced, and just feel like a warm hug on a chilly holiday morning. Trust me, having these waiting for you is the best way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year (besides, you know, Santa!).

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

There are so many reasons why this recipe is a winner, especially for a special day like Christmas! Here’s why you’ll be making these again and again:

Incredibly Soft & Chewy Texture: Seriously, the rolls are like little pillows of doughy goodness with that perfect gooey center that just melts in your mouth.
Amazing Aroma Filling Your Home: The second these start baking, your whole house will smell like pure Christmas magic. It’s seriously the best wake-up call, better than any alarm clock!
Perfectly Spiced Filling: That classic cinnamon and brown sugar swirl is just *chef’s kiss*. It’s the ideal balance, not too little, not too much, just right for that comforting sweetness.
So Easy to Make Ahead: You can totally prep these the night before. Seriously, just assemble them, tuck them in the fridge, and then pop them in the oven on Christmas morning. Talk about stress-free deliciousness!
Kid-Approved Delight: Even the pickiest eaters will devour these. It’s a surefire way to get everyone excited for breakfast and happily digging in.
Festive & Cheerful Presentation: They just look and feel like a holiday treat. The swirls and that creamy glaze add that extra special something to your Christmas breakfast table.

Gather Your Ingredients for Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Alright, let’s get our holiday baking game face on! To make these amazing Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls truly shine, we need a few key players. Don’t worry, it’s mostly pantry staples, but using good quality stuff makes all the difference. You’ll need warm milk for our yeast to get happy, some granulated sugar, and that essential melty butter to make the dough rich. Two eggs, because we’re going for that tender crumb, plus a little salt to balance everything out. And of course, plenty of all-purpose flour – you’ll want about 4 1/2 cups, but have a bit extra handy just in case your dough feels a little sticky.

For that dreamy, irresistible filling, grab your packed brown sugar and that gorgeous ground cinnamon. Oh, and don’t forget the softened butter for spreading – trust me, softened is key here to get it all over without tearing the dough. And for our luscious glaze? We’ll need some powdered sugar, a splash more milk, and our favorite vanilla extract to make it extra fragrant. It’s a simple list, but these ingredients work magic together!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Alright, let’s get these beauties made! It might seem like a few steps, but trust me, it’s totally doable and so worth it. Following these instructions will lead you to some truly delightful Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls.

Preparing the Dough for Your Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

First things first, we need to wake up our yeast! In a nice big bowl, pour in your warm milk and sprinkle in the active dry yeast. Give it a little swirl and let it hang out for about 5 to 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. That’s how you know it’s alive and ready to work its magic! Now, stir in that granulated sugar, the melted butter, your lightly beaten eggs, and the salt. Gradually add in your flour, mixing it all up until you’ve got a soft dough. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Pop this dough into a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour to an hour and a half, or until it’s doubled in size. Patience is a virtue here!

Assembling the Perfect Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Once your dough has had its nice long nap and is all puffed up, punch it down gently. Now, turn it out onto your floured surface and roll it into a big rectangle, roughly 12 by 18 inches. Get that softened butter ready – you want to spread it all over the dough, but leave about a half-inch border clean around the edges. Sprinkle your glorious mix of brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the butter. Start from one of the long sides and roll it up *tightly*. Pinch that seam really well to make sure it stays sealed during baking. Now for the fun part: cut your log into 12 equal slices. I like to use a serrated knife for a clean cut!

Baking and Glazing Your Holiday Delights

Gently place your beautiful cinnamon roll slices into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Covering them loosely allows for that second rise. Let them hang out for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats to 375°F (190°C). Bake them for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re a gorgeous golden brown. While those Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls are in the oven, whip up the glaze! Just whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and drizzly. It reminds me a bit of how we make the glaze for moist banana bread, just simpler. Once the rolls are out and still warm – don’t wait too long! – drizzle that yummy glaze all over them. Oh, the smell!

Tips for the Best Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me share a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years to make these Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls absolutely *chef’s kiss* perfect. It’s all about those little details, you know?

First off, dough temperature is everything for proofing. If your kitchen is a bit chilly, don’t be afraid to pop that bowl into a slightly warm oven (just turn the oven on for a minute, then turn it off and pop the bowl in!). This creates a cozy little haven where the yeast can really do its job and double the dough beautifully. Also, for that super soft texture that makes you want to hug the roll, try this: once they’re baked, cover the pan *tightly* with plastic wrap for about 5-10 minutes before glazing. The steam trapped inside works wonders!

And for rolling? Don’t be afraid to use a little extra flour, but brush off the excess. You don’t want dry spots, but you also don’t want your filling slipping out! I’ve found that using a sharp serrated knife or even dental floss (yes, really!) to cut the rolls ensures a clean cut without squishing them too much, just like with my homemade Krispy Kreme donuts. A little extra effort here makes a huge difference in how pretty and evenly baked your rolls turn out!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Sometimes you might not have exactly what the recipe calls for, and that’s totally okay! For these lovely rolls, the milk is pretty straightforward – just make sure it’s warm, not boiling, so you don’t shock the yeast. You can totally use any kind of milk you have on hand, like almond milk or oat milk, and it should work just fine. If you’re out of active dry yeast, instant yeast is a close cousin; you can usually just mix it right in with the flour without proofing.

As for flour, all-purpose is your best bet here for that classic soft texture. I wouldn’t mess with it too much unless you’re used to baking with other types, because it really affects how the dough comes together. If you’re looking for a slightly different flavor, maybe try a quick whisk of maybe a teaspoon of nutmeg or cardamom into the cinnamon-sugar mix, like I sometimes do with my banana bread.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Got questions about these festive breakfast treats? I’ve got answers! Making Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls should be fun, not stressful. Let’s clear up any confusion!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! This is one of my favorite tips. You can prepare the dough, roll it up, cut the rolls, and place them in the baking pan the night before. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. In the morning, just take them out, let them sit on the counter for about 30-60 minutes to warm up a bit and finish rising, then bake as usual. It makes Christmas morning SO much easier!

What if my dough doesn’t rise?

Don’t panic! Usually, this happens if your yeast isn’t active or the milk was too hot. Double-check that your yeast is fresh and wasn’t killed by super hot milk (warm, like a comfortable bath, is perfect). If it’s not foamy after 10 minutes, it’s likely dead, and you’ll need to start over with new yeast. If the dough doesn’t rise even with active yeast, it could be too cold in your kitchen. Try placing the covered bowl in a slightly warmed oven (turn it on for just a minute, then off, and pop the bowl inside) to create a nice, warm environment.

How do I store leftovers?

If, by some small miracle, you have leftover Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are usually best eaten the day they’re made, but they’ll still be wonderfully soft and delicious. You can gently rewarm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds if you like them warm.

Can I use a different kind of sugar for the filling?

While packed brown sugar gives that lovely caramel-y depth that’s perfect for these rolls, you could technically use granulated sugar. However, it won’t have quite the same rich flavor or chewy texture. If you do, maybe add a tiny splash of molasses or a bit more cinnamon to compensate. You can also check out recipes for homemade Krispy Kreme donuts to see how sugar is used differently in pastries!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, these numbers are estimates, because baking is an art and can vary a bit depending on your ingredients! This is for one generous roll:

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 350
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Sugar: 30g
Protein: 6g
Sodium: 250mg

Keep in mind these can change based on the specific brands and types of ingredients you use!

Share Your Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls!

I just LOVE seeing how your holiday baking turns out! Did you make these delicious cinnamon rolls? I’d be thrilled if you dropped a comment below to tell me how they went – did everyone love them? You can also rate the recipe right there. If you snapped some pics, tag me on social media! You can always reach out via our contact page if you have any questions or want to share your creations directly. It makes my day to see them!