Delicious Brioche Cinnamon Rolls (With Video)

These Brioche Cinnamon Rolls are a masterpiece of indulgence, boasting layers of warmly spiced cinnamon and sugar, lovingly encased in a rich, buttery pastry dough and topped with a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting. 

Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, pillowy swirl of dough that practically melts in your mouth, lovingly laced with cinnamon and sugar. But what truly sets these homemade bakery cinnamon rolls apart is the heavenly finishing touch: a decadent cream cheese frosting that cascades over the warm, freshly baked swirls. 

These best ever cinnamon rolls are a marriage of sweet and tangy, the cream cheese a perfect complement to the rich, buttery layers beneath. As the frosting melds with the cinnamon-sugar filling, it forms a luscious, sticky mess of deliciousness that smells like your a walk through the mall food court. It is nothing short of glorious.

If you love the thought of spending a cozy weekend making breakfast pastries to share with your favorite people, try my brioche rose donuts, old-fashioned sour cream donuts, or chocolate chip brioche after making this sweet brioche bun recipe!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Brioche Cinnamon Rolls Recipe 

• Soft & Puffy  - Imagine sinking your teeth into a cinnamon roll that's so incredibly soft and puffy that it practically melts in your mouth. The secret? The delicate and buttery-rich brioche dough that's been crafted to perfection. It's a labor of love, requiring a bit of patience but delivering an unparalleled reward. 
• Perfect Cozy Weekend Baking Project - Weekends are meant for relaxation and creativity, and what better way to embrace the spirit than by embarking on a baking adventure? My homemade cinnamon rolls recipe is your ticket to a weekend filled with warmth and deliciousness. Kneading the dough, rolling out the swirls, and watching the cinnamon brioche rolls rise to golden perfection — the process is as therapeutic as it is rewarding!
• Lovely Holiday Contribution - Bring a batch of these delectable rolls to a family gathering, a potluck dinner, or a festive brunch, and watch as they steal the show. Their inviting aroma and irresistible charm will make you the star of the party, leaving your friends and family asking for the recipe. 

🍴Ingredients 

• Brioche Dough - The heart and soul of this cinnamon bun recipe. Brioche is a light, fluffy, milk-, egg-, and butter-enriched French bread and pastry dough, and it’s tender stretchiness is ideal for these iconic breakfast pastries. 
• Cream - Adding a touch to the pan before baking enhances the caramelized exterior and adds to the overall richness of these cinnamon rolls. Feel free to swap in a dairy-free alternative.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Allspice - This trio of warming spices has a certain je ne sais quois that I find intoxicating. In a pinch, swap in your favorite warming spice blend!
• Sugar - I use granulated white sugar for the filling, but you’re welcome to use brown sugar instead.
• Unsalted Butter - I prefer using unsalted butter to tame the saltiness of the cream cheese. However, if you prefer saltier sweets, you’re welcome to swap in regular butter. Alternatively, use a vegan alternative.

• Cream Cheese - A proper cinnamon bun should have an excess of tangy cream cheese filling in my book. Feel free to swap in lighter Neufchatel cheese or milder mascarpone if you prefer.
• Powdered Sugar - If you’re fresh out, you can easily make your own using granulated sugar and cornstarch or potato starch and a food processor. 
• Vanilla Paste - I love the little black vanilla bean flecks throughout the ecru cream cheese icing, but you’re welcome to swap in an equal amount of vanilla extract instead.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

• Swap in a warming spice blend. Masala chai spice, pumpkin pie spice, or even haiwaj would all be great stand ins for the cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice lineup. You’re also welcome to experiment with creating your own warming butter filling — cardamom, ginger, and star anise are all great options, too!
• Add raisins to the filling. Feel free to soak them in rum first. 😉
• Brown butter would be a great addition to this recipe! Imagine, overnight brioche cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning - with a browned butter cinnamon sugar filling. Divine! 
• Brioche cinnamon bread. Instead of cutting the rolled dough into individual pieces, place the entire log of dough into a parchment-lined baking pan, letting it rise in a warm spot before baking until golden brown. This variation yields a delightful loaf that maintains the soft, buttery richness of brioche, infused with the spiraled sweetness of cinnamon, perfect for slicing and toasting for a breakfast treat!

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

🛠️ Key tools & equipment 

• Stand Mixer with Dough Hook Attachment: Essential for efficiently mixing your enriched dough until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Kitchen Scale: For dividing your dough into equal pieces, a kitchen scale ensures precision for evenly baked cinnamon rolls.
• Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Both are essential for cleanly cutting your rolled dough into equal pieces, ensuring uniform, beautifully baked rolls.
• 9x13 Baking Pan with optional Parchment Paper: This combo allows for easy removal of your cinnamon rolls, preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze, while also aiding in even baking.

📖 How To Make Brioche Cinnamon Rolls: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the eggs and flour into the yeast mixture until combined.

2. Knead the dough until it looks smooth and glossy and passes the window pane test.  Allow it to rise for 1.5 hours.

*You can either move on to the next step, or place your proofed brioche dough in the fridge for an overnight rest before continuing, depending on how much time you have. For in-depth instructions, head down to the recipe card! ❤️

3. Take your spiced sugar butter and spread an even layer over the entire surface of the rolled-out brioche dough.

4. Starting at the long edge closest to you, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Once rolled, pinch the seam gently to seal it.

5. Cut Rolls: Using a sharp knife or even better, dental floss or string (to avoid squishing the dough), slice the log into pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches thick.

6. Add cream: Place the cut rolls, swirl side up, into a greased baking dish, and add the cream between each roll, so that the cream covers the base of the tray.

7. Bake the rolls until they're ever so slightly golden brown on top and beautifully fluffy inside.

8. Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of your warm brioche cinnamon rolls before enjoying!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert baking tips

• Let the butter-sugar mixture fully come to a soft, spreadable room temperature before filling. You don’t want to tear the dough!
• Roll tightly. It takes a little practice, especially when you’re trying to get the roll started, but continue to tuck the dough as your roll into a long cigar shape.
• Use unflavored dental floss to slice your dough. It’s the easiest way to get neat edges! 
• Avoid adding too much flour when kneading; the sticky dough, with time, becomes the perfect tender brioche dough.
• For best results, let the dough have its first rise overnight; this extra step deepens the flavors beautifully!

💭 Recipe FAQs

❄️ What’s the best way to store brioche cinnamon rolls?

Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool completely at room temperature to prevent condensation inside the storage container. Once they're cool, you can either individually wrap each roll in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container. Wrapping them individually is great if you want to grab one at a time.

If you plan to consume the rolls within 1-2 days, you can keep them at a cool room temperature. Make sure they are well-sealed to prevent them from drying out.

For longer storage (up to a week), store them in the refrigerator. This is particularly important if your cinnamon rolls have a cream cheese frosting, as it can spoil at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container or wrap them to prevent them from absorbing odors from the fridge.

If you want to keep them for an extended period (up to 2-3 months), you can freeze them. Wrap the individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm them up in the oven to restore their freshness.

More Brioche Recipes You’ll Love

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