Introduction

These Maple Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Soft, fluffy dough swirled with a sweet cinnamon and brown sugar filling is topped with a luscious maple glaze, bringing cozy flavors perfect for breakfast or brunch.

A white round ceramic baking dish holds nine golden-brown cinnamon rolls, each layer showing a swirl of rich dark brown cinnamon filling wrapped in soft dough. A woman's hand is pouring creamy white icing from a clear glass cup over the cinnamon rolls, which creates a glossy, melting layer on top. The rolls have a light crispy edge with a soft, fluffy inside, and the glaze drips slowly down the sides. The setting has a clean white marbled surface underneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp pure maple syrup (for glaze)
1-2 tbsp milk (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Warm the milk, butter, and water until the butter melts, then add to the dry ingredients along with vanilla extract and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Step 3: Roll the dough into a 15×9-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle with 1/4 cup maple syrup.
Step 4: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and enough milk to reach a smooth, drizzling consistency.
Step 7: Remove the rolls from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the warm rolls before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra gooey rolls, add a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts inside the filling before rolling.
Use whole milk or a milk alternative like oat milk for a dairy-free option—but use vegan butter to keep it fully dairy-free.
If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk and add more powdered sugar accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a warm oven to restore softness. Glaze can be added fresh after reheating for best flavor.

How to Serve

A white scalloped ceramic dish holds nine golden-brown cinnamon rolls, each with dark brown swirls of cinnamon filling visible in the spiral layers. The rolls are freshly baked, puffy and soft with a light crust around the edges. A woman's hand pours a creamy white glaze from a small clear glass pitcher, drizzling it over the rolls, creating a shiny, smooth layer that slowly spreads and drips down the sides of each cinnamon roll. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a clean, bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have instant yeast?

You can substitute active dry yeast by proofing it in warm water with a pinch of sugar for 5-10 minutes until frothy before adding it to the dry ingredients.

Maple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 133 reviews

Delight in these soft and sweet Maple Cinnamon Rolls, perfectly balanced with a rich cinnamon filling and a luscious maple syrup glaze. This homemade treat combines fluffy dough enriched with eggs and butter, filled with a brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, and finished off with a smooth maple frosting that’s ideal for breakfast or brunch.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Filling Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Maple Glaze Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)

Instructions

Prepare the yeast mixture: In a small saucepan, warm the milk, water, and butter until the mixture is warm to the touch but not hot (about 110°F). Remove from heat and stir in sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy to activate the yeast.
Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 7-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a mixer with dough hook. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Prepare the filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
Roll out the dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 15×9 inches.
Apply the filling: Spread the cinnamon-maple filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Form the rolls: Starting at the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased baking pan, spaced slightly apart.
Second rise: Cover the rolls with a towel and allow them to rise again in a warm place until nearly doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the glaze: While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and pourable.
Glaze and serve: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before drizzling the maple glaze evenly over them. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Make sure the milk and water mixture is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
You can use fresh yeast instead of instant yeast, adjusting the quantity accordingly.
For an extra moist texture, cover the baking pan tightly with foil halfway through baking and remove it for the final 5 minutes.
The glaze consistency can be adjusted by varying the milk quantity to your liking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave for a soft, warm treat.

Keywords: maple cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, maple syrup glaze, homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls