Picture this: warm, fluffy Maple Cinnamon Rolls, fresh from the oven, oozing with buttery brown sugar and cinnamon filling, all topped with a silky-smooth maple frosting. These delicious cinnamon rolls combine the magic of a classic treat with the irresistible flavor of pure maple syrup, making them perfect for everything from cozy weekends to Christmas morning. Follow this simple dough recipe with expert tips, and you’ll have bakery-style sweet rolls that melt in your mouth!

These maple cinnamon rolls are everything you want in a breakfast treat—pillowy soft, perfectly spiced, and dripping with rich maple glaze. The combination of brown sugar, buttery cinnamon filling, and a luscious maple frosting makes every bite irresistible. They’re the kind of sweet rolls you dream about on a cozy morning or plan ahead for a special occasion like Christmas morning. 

If you love these rolls, you’ll definitely want to try my orange and poppyseed muffins, Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls for a nutty twist or my Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake, a buttery, chocolate-studded classic that’s perfect for a breakfast spread or an afternoon treat! Love muffins? Try my White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins or my Strawberry White Chocolate Muffins! And if you have sourdough discard on hand, check out my sourdough discard cinnamon bread!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy yet impressive: With step-by-step guidance, even beginner bakers can make these sweet rolls look and taste like they came from a bakery.
• Perfect maple flavor: The use of real maple syrup in the filling and frosting takes these cinnamon buns to the next level.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prepare the dough the night before for overnight cinnamon rolls that are fresh and ready to bake in the next morning.
• No mixers needed: No electric mixer or stand mixers are used in this recipe! Aka, no digging through your cupboard for a dough hook attachment! 

Ingredients

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Use a quality purpose flour for soft, tender rolls. Measure carefully to avoid using too much flour, which can result in dense rolls.
• Active dry yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh and bubbly when activated for the perfect dough rise.
• Whole milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast and enriches the dough for soft, fluffy texture.
• Water: Use warm water to evenly activate the yeast and create a smooth dough texture.
• Sugar: Sugar feeds the yeast, giving the dough a light sweetness and helping it rise properly.
• Unsalted butter: Browning the butter for both the filling and frosting adds a nutty depth that elevates the overall flavor.
• Eggs: Eggs create an enriched dough, adding structure and tenderness for the softest rolls.
• Kosher salt: A little salt balances the sweetness in both the dough and the filling, ensuring the flavors pop.
• Brown sugar: The filling gets its caramel-like richness from brown sugar, which pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.
• Ground cinnamon: Use fresh, high-quality cinnamon for bold, aromatic flavor in every swirl.
• Maple syrup: Real maple syrup brings authentic, warm sweetness to the filling and frosting—nothing beats the real thing. 
• Powdered sugar: Sift powdered sugar for the frosting to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, silky texture.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream gives the frosting its luxurious consistency—use it at room temperature for easy blending.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla in the frosting enhances the flavors of the maple and butter beautifully.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Dairy-free version: Swap whole milk for almond or oat milk and use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter.
• Spiced variation: Add cardamom or nutmeg to the filling for a unique twist on traditional cinnamon roll recipes.
• Maple cream cheese frosting: Replace heavy cream with softened cream cheese for a tangy, rich alternative to the maple frosting.
• Maple extract: If you want more maple flavoring, you can add some maple extract in place of vanilla extract! 

Ingredient Additions

• Chopped nuts: Sprinkle pecans or walnuts in the filling for added crunch and flavor.
• Dried fruit: Add chopped dates or raisins to the filling for a chewy texture.
• Bacon crumbles: Top the frosting with maple-glazed bacon bits for a salty-sweet combination.

Step by Step Instructions

In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk, 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water, and 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until foamy.

Make the Dough:Stir in 1/3 cup (70 g) sugar, 1/3 cup (75 g) softened unsalted butter, and 2 large eggs to the yeast mixture. Gradually add 4 1/2 cups (540 g) all-purpose flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well between each addition until a dough forms.

Knead by Hand: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

Brown the Butter for the Filling: In a small pan, melt 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup (150 g) packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp ground cinnamon, and 2 tbsp pure maple syrup with the browned butter. Stir until smooth.

Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, roll it into a rectangle about 16×12 inches on a lightly floured surface.

Spread the maple cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.

Form the Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the longer edge and cut into 12 even pieces.

Place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 30 minutes.

Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Brown the Butter for the Frosting: While the rolls bake, melt 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter in a small pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden brown and fragrant. Let it cool slightly.

Make the Maple Frosting: In a bowl, whisk together the browned butter, 1 1/2 cups (190 g) powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp heavy cream, 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Adjust with more cream if needed for consistency.

Frost the Rolls: Allow the rolls to cool for a few minutes, then spread the maple frosting over the warm rolls.

Expert Tips

• Fluffy dough hack: Let the dough rest in a warm spot, covered with a clean kitchen towel, to achieve an ideal first rise.
• Cutting cleanly: Use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife to cut the rolls without squishing the layers.
• Golden brown perfection: Check the bake time closely, and cover the rolls with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly.
• Don’t rush the process: Allow enough time for both rises—this is the key to soft, fluffy sweet rolls.

Night-Before Prep Method:

To make these maple cinnamon rolls more morning-friendly, you can prep them the night before and bake them fresh in the morning with minimal effort. Here’s how:

1. Follow the recipe through forming the rolls: Make the dough, let it rise, prepare the filling, roll out the dough, spread the filling, and cut the rolls.
2. Arrange the rolls in the baking dish: Place the sliced rolls in a greased dish as instructed.
3. Refrigerate instead of the second rise: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This slows the yeast activity, so the rolls rise slowly while you sleep.
4. In the morning: Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let them sit in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes (or until they’ve doubled in size and are puffy). This is their second rise before baking.
5. Bake as directed: Pop them in the oven and follow the rest of the recipe for golden brown perfection.

This method ensures you’ll have fresh, warm rolls in the morning without the long prep time. This way, you can have them for breakfast. These would be perfect on Christmas morning! 

Serving Suggestions

• Holiday centerpiece: Arrange these maple cinnamon rolls on a festive platter for a stunning brunch showstopper.
• Dessert: Serve warm rolls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with extra maple glaze.
• Breakfast: These cinnamon rolls make the perfect breakfast! 
• Mini rolls: Roll the dough thinner and slice into smaller pieces for bite-sized treats perfect for parties.

Storage Instructions

• Short-term storage: Store rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: Wrap unbaked rolls tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months and bake fresh for the next time you’re craving cinnamon buns.
• Reheating: For best results, warm individual rolls in the microwave for 20 seconds or cover the pan with foil and heat in a 325°F oven until soft and warm.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @onebowlbakery on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!

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