Maple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
If you’ve never experienced the joy of homemade Maple Cinnamon Rolls, get ready to fall in love. Imagine pillowy-soft dough swirled with a rich, buttery cinnamon filling and drizzled with a luscious maple glaze—every bite tastes like a warm hug. This recipe is straightforward enough for a weekend treat but special enough to impress brunch guests. It’s the kind of bake that fills your kitchen with cozy aromas and guarantees smiles all around!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Maple Cinnamon Rolls lies in a handful of everyday ingredients, each playing a starring role. Every component brings something special to the table, whether it’s the structure of the dough, the depth of the filling, or the sweetness of the glaze. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- All-purpose flour: Forms the tender, fluffy base for our rolls—don’t substitute for whole wheat as it can make them too dense.
- Active dry yeast: The secret to that dreamy, light rise; always check that your yeast is fresh for best results.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Warm milk (110°F): Creates a soft dough and helps the yeast bloom—make sure it’s not too hot or cold.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Brings richness and moisture to both the dough and the filling; using unsalted lets you control the flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: The heart of the filling, delivering that classic, comforting spice.
- Pure maple syrup: Infuses the filling and glaze with deep, caramel-like sweetness—don’t be tempted by artificial syrup here!
- Powdered sugar: The silky base for our glaze, ensuring it’s smooth and glossy.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the glaze with warm, aromatic notes.
How to Make Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by combining your warm milk (around 110°F) and active dry yeast in a large bowl. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes, until it gets frothy and bubbly—this is when you know your yeast is awake and ready to work its magic. If you don’t see bubbles, your yeast might be old, so it’s worth double-checking.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the yeast mixture, stirring as you go. The dough will start out shaggy but will come together as you mix. This careful combining ensures every bite of Maple Cinnamon Rolls is just the right texture.
Step 3: Knead Until Smooth
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for 5–7 minutes. You’re aiming for a dough that’s smooth and just slightly tacky to the touch. The kneading helps develop gluten, setting up that classic, cloud-like crumb you want in your cinnamon rolls.
Step 4: First Rise
Place your kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—usually about an hour. This is when the dough transforms, becoming airy and light, a key step for soft Maple Cinnamon Rolls.
Step 5: Prepare the Filling
While the dough is rising, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and pure maple syrup in a small bowl. This fragrant mixture is the heart of your Maple Cinnamon Rolls, infusing every swirl with gooey, spiced sweetness.
Step 6: Roll Out and Fill
Once the dough has doubled, roll it out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the maple-cinnamon filling evenly across the surface, making sure to reach all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in each bite.
Step 7: Roll Up and Slice
Roll the dough up tightly into a log, starting from the long side. Use a sharp knife or a piece of dental floss to slice the log into 12 even rolls. This step is as satisfying as it is essential for those perfect, bakery-style spirals.
Step 8: Second Rise and Bake
Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover again, and let them rise for about 30 minutes until puffy. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden and irresistible. The aroma will let you know when they’re ready!
How to Serve Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
A generous drizzle of the maple glaze is a must, but you can take things up a notch with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dusting of extra cinnamon. For a festive touch, try adding orange zest or a few fresh berries on top for color and brightness.
Side Dishes
Maple Cinnamon Rolls pair beautifully with fresh fruit salad, creamy Greek yogurt, or crisp bacon. If you’re setting a brunch table, serve them alongside scrambled eggs and coffee for a balanced, crowd-pleasing spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Maple Cinnamon Rolls in a cast iron skillet for a rustic look, or arrange them in a wreath shape on a platter for special occasions. For a grab-and-go option, bake them in muffin tins for individual mini rolls—great for parties or potlucks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Maple Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to five days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, especially if you keep them glazed to lock in moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze baked or unbaked rolls for later. For baked rolls, let them cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze for up to three months. For unbaked rolls, assemble and slice, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag—just thaw and bake when ready!
Reheating
To reheat, pop a roll in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or warm a batch in a 300°F oven, covered with foil, for 10–15 minutes. Add a fresh drizzle of glaze to wake up the flavors and restore that just-baked magic.
FAQs
Can I make Maple Cinnamon Rolls the night before?
Absolutely! Prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking as usual.
What if I don’t have pure maple syrup?
While pure maple syrup gives the best flavor, you can use honey or agave in a pinch. However, the distinct taste of Maple Cinnamon Rolls really shines with real maple syrup, so it’s worth seeking out if possible.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! Instant yeast can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients and doesn’t require proofing in warm milk. The rise times might be a little shorter, so keep an eye on your dough.
How do I keep the rolls extra soft?
Don’t overbake and be generous with the glaze! Covering the rolls with foil halfway through baking can help retain moisture, and glazing while warm locks in softness.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins are classic add-ins that bring extra texture and flavor to Maple Cinnamon Rolls. Just sprinkle them over the filling before rolling up the dough.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking Maple Cinnamon Rolls from scratch, and I can’t recommend it enough. Every swirl is a sweet reward, whether you’re sharing with friends or savoring one with your morning coffee. Give this recipe a try—the aroma alone is worth it!
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Maple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these warm, gooey Maple Cinnamon Rolls featuring a fragrant cinnamon and maple syrup filling, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these rolls combine sweet maple flavor with classic cinnamon spice in a soft, fluffy dough that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter (for filling)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (to achieve desired consistency)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Make the dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the yeast mixture. Add the melted butter and knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and pure maple syrup until well combined and smooth.
- Shape rolls: Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the cinnamon-maple filling evenly over the dough.
- Form rolls: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife.
- Second rise: Place the rolls into a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make glaze: While the rolls bake, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before drizzling generously with the maple vanilla glaze. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warmed to about 110°F to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Kneading time may vary; dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- For a stronger maple flavor, use pure-grade maple syrup rather than imitation syrup.
- To make the glaze thicker or thinner, adjust the amount of milk accordingly.
- Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Reheat rolls in a microwave or oven before serving to bring back softness and warmth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
