Samad: Lina, tell me why the kitchen smells like heaven right now?
Lina: Because, Samad, I’m making the fluffiest, gooiest, most irresistible cinnamon buns you’ve ever had. And you’re about to help me roll them!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Buns
Samad: Okay, real talk I’ve had a lot of cinnamon buns in my life, but these ones? Next level.
Lina: I swear, they’re soft, buttery, not too sweet, and the cinnamon swirl hits you like a warm hug.
Samad: Plus, this recipe is perfect for Canadian families looking for cozy weekend breakfasts or a special treat on chilly mornings.
Lina: And the smell alone will get the whole house out of bed. Guaranteed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Samad: Let’s start with the basics. No fancy stuff, just pantry staples:
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (around 110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (as needed)
Lina: And that’s it. You probably already have everything in your kitchen.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
Lina: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes till it’s foamy.
Samad: That’s how you know the yeast is alive and ready to party.
Lina: Then, mix in melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Knead for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. You can use a stand mixer or go old-school with your hands.
Samad: Pro tip: If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour, but don’t overdo it. You want a soft dough.
Lina: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling
Lina: While the dough is rising, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon.
Samad: And don’t skimp on the cinnamon it’s called a cinnamon bun for a reason!
Lina: Spread softened butter all over your rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously.
3. Roll, Slice & Second Rise
Lina: Roll the dough into a log, starting from the long side. Then slice into 12 even pieces.
Samad: Pro tip: Use unflavoured dental floss to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing them. Works like a charm!
Lina: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes. They should puff up beautifully.
Baking & Glazing
Samad: Pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
Lina: While they’re baking, whip up that creamy glaze. Just beat the cream cheese, butter, icing sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk till smooth.
Samad: When the buns are fresh out of the oven, slather that glaze all over while they’re still warm so it melts into every swirl.
Kitchen Tips & Tricks
Lina: If you want to prep ahead, you can make the rolls the night before. After slicing them, cover and chill overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temp and rise before baking.
Samad: And if you’re baking in winter (hello, Canada!), set your dough near a warm oven or a sunny window to help it rise faster.
Lina: Got little ones? Get them involved by letting them spread the filling or roll the dough. It’s messy fun and makes the kitchen smell even better.
How to Serve These Cinnamon Buns
Samad: Okay, Lina, the buns are out of the oven. Do we wait or dive in?
Lina: You could wait… but who are we kidding? Tear one apart while it’s still warm and gooey. That’s the magic moment.
Samad: Honestly, nothing beats pulling apart a soft, warm cinnamon bun with that cream cheese glaze dripping everywhere.
Lina: Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Or, if you’re like me, a tall glass of cold milk.
Samad: These are great for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or when you just need to spoil yourself a little.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Lina: Got leftovers? (Unlikely, but let’s pretend.)
Samad: Store them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Lina: And here’s a hack when you reheat them, microwave for about 15-20 seconds with a damp paper towel on top. Keeps them soft and fresh.
Samad: You can also freeze them! Freeze the baked buns (without glaze) in a ziplock bag. When ready to eat, thaw and warm them up, then drizzle with fresh glaze.
Recipe Variations
Lina: Wanna switch things up? Here are a few ideas:
Add Some Crunch
Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside the filling.
Chocolate Lovers’ Version
Add mini chocolate chips to the filling along with the cinnamon sugar.
Maple Glaze
This is Canada, after all! Swap the cream cheese glaze for a maple syrup glaze with icing sugar and pure maple syrup.
Samad: Ohhh, a maple glaze sounds deadly. Might as well lean into it, eh?
Why Canadian Families Will Love This Recipe
Lina: These cinnamon buns aren’t just delicious. They’re a cozy, family-friendly bake that brings everyone into the kitchen.
Samad: Perfect for Canadian families who love baking together on a snowy Sunday or surprising the kids with a sweet breakfast.
Lina: And honestly, nothing says comfort food like a warm, sticky cinnamon bun fresh from your own oven.
Final Thoughts from Samad & Lina
Samad: So, Lina, what’s the verdict?
Lina: Soft, fluffy, buttery, cinnamony basically everything a cinnamon bun should be.
Samad: Next time, I’m doubling the batch because these disappear fast.
Lina: Agreed. And hey, if anyone tries this recipe, tag us at MapleEats.com we’d love to see your cinnamon bun creations!
Irresistible Cinnamon Buns
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk around 110°F
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
For the Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk as needed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll out risen dough into a rectangle, spread softened butter on top, and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
- Roll the dough into a log from the long side. Slice into 12 even pieces using dental floss or a sharp knife. Place in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30-40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake buns for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- While buns bake, beat together cream cheese, butter, icing sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Spread the glaze over warm cinnamon buns. Serve immediately and enjoy!
