Name: Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting - Dessert Recipes You'll Love
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 145 min
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast; 1 cup whole milk, warmed; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 egg + 1 egg yolk; 1 teaspoon salt; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2½ tablespoons ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 3 tablespoons browned butter; 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk (as needed)

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Let’s be honest, I’ve made a lot of dessert recipes over the years, but these brown butter frosted cinnamon rolls are the kind that make you stop mid-bite and whisper ‘oh wow’. The smell alone—rich cinnamon, sugar, and butter—feels like a hug in the morning. And when that gooey swirl meets the nutty warmth of brown butter? Game over. We’ve all seen Nutella cinnamon rolls and those wild Cinnamon Chex Mix Recipes online, right? But this one’s a bit different. It’s soft, pillowy, and so buttery that you’ll double-check you didn’t make a Portuguese Rolls Recipe by accident. I even tested it with Kardea Brown Recipes in mind—something rich and real. If you’re the kind of person who dreams in recipes with butter, or even just one great recipe with butter, this is the one to try. These rolls are weekend-worthy but weekday-doable, and every swirl is proof that a homemade dessert doesn’t need to be complicated to be unforgettable.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting
4) How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting
5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting
6) Making Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting
8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!
9) Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Homemade dough is soft and easy to work with.
Brown butter frosting adds a nutty depth of flavor.
This dessert recipe can be prepped ahead and stored well.
Great for weekend brunches, holidays, or sweet cravings.

2) Easy Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Some recipes stick with you. This one? I think about it even after breakfast. The rolls come out tender, the cinnamon sugar swirl hits that perfect sweet spot, and then you taste the frosting—warm, nutty, bold. It wraps the whole thing up like a cozy blanket on a chilly morning.

I love making this during quiet weekends. I measure out the ingredients with coffee in hand, music playing low, and my kitchen smells like a dream. The process feels slow in the best way. It’s the kind of recipe that fills more than just your belly. It soothes. It lingers.

That frosting though. Made with browned butter and cream cheese, it melts across each warm roll and adds something deeper than sweet. Like Nutella cinnamon rolls? This one takes that energy and raises the bar. You won’t regret it. Dessert recipes like this one make everything feel a little more right.

3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting

All-purpose flour: This forms the base of our soft and fluffy dough. I use four cups to keep things tender but not too sticky.

Instant yeast: No proofing needed. Just toss it in with the other ingredients and you’re off to the races. Makes this dessert recipe easy even for beginners.

Whole milk: Warmed slightly to activate the yeast. Not hot. Just cozy-warm like your favorite blanket straight from the dryer.

Granulated sugar: Helps sweeten the dough and gives the yeast something to snack on.

Egg and yolk: Add richness and structure. Trust me, don’t skip that extra yolk. It gives these rolls their golden heart.

Salt: Balances the sweetness. Even dessert recipes need that grounding flavor.

Unsalted butter: Melted into the dough and softened in the filling. It’s everywhere. And that’s not a bad thing.

Brown sugar: The filling’s secret weapon. Paired with cinnamon, it makes those swirls sing.

Ground cinnamon: Warming and classic. Use a generous hand here. It’s called cinnamon rolls, after all.

Cream cheese: Softened and whipped into our frosting. Adds tang and creaminess. Pure magic.

Browned butter: Take your time browning it. Don’t rush. The nutty flavor is worth every minute.

Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it that cloudlike texture.

Milk: A touch to loosen the frosting if needed. Go slowly, you don’t want soup.

4) How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting

Step 1. In a bowl, mix warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2. Add the egg, yolk, melted butter, and salt. Slowly stir in the flour until a dough forms.

Step 3. Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes. It should feel smooth and spring back when touched. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

Step 4. Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread softened butter on top. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle it evenly.

Step 5. Roll tightly and slice into 12 equal pieces. Arrange in a greased pan. Let rise another 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F.

Step 6. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and puffy. While they bake, brown some butter and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 7. Beat cream cheese, browned butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk until smooth. Frost the rolls while warm for that perfect melt-in feel.

5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting

Let your ingredients sit at room temperature before you start. Cold eggs or milk slow down the rise. I leave mine out while I prep everything else.

Watch your dough. It should be soft, not sticky. Add flour a spoonful at a time if it clings to your hands too much. But don’t overdo it. Dry dough equals dry rolls.

That brown butter frosting? Don’t skip it. Let the butter turn a little golden and smell nutty. That flavor carries everything. I’ve tried it with regular butter and it’s just not the same. Dessert recipes benefit from bold choices like this.

6) Making Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting Ahead of Time

You can prep these the night before. Once they’re shaped and in the pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.

The next morning, take them out and let them come to room temp. That gives the yeast a chance to wake back up. Then bake as usual. It’s like having a bakery in your kitchen.

I’ve even frozen unbaked rolls after shaping. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and let them rise before baking. Works great when I know guests are coming over.

7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting

Let them cool fully before storing. I tuck them into an airtight container or wrap the whole pan in foil.

They’ll keep on the counter for two days or in the fridge for up to five. To reheat, zap one in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. That frosting melts right back into place.

Sometimes I add a fresh swipe of frosting if I’ve saved a bit extra. It feels like cheating but tastes like winning. Dessert recipes should never feel like leftovers, right?

8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!

9) Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Frosting