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Make Cinnamon Rolls!

Make Cinnamon Rolls!
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Make warm cinnamon rolls from simple dough, spread cinnamon sugar, roll and slice, then bake with adult supervision to learn measuring and patience.

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Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make cinnamon rolls

What you need
1 egg, adult supervision required, all-purpose flour, baking sheet or pan, brown sugar, butter, ground cinnamon, instant yeast, kitchen towel, measuring cups, measuring spoons, milk, mixing bowl, oven mitts, parchment paper or extra butter for greasing, rolling pin, salt, sharp knife or clean dental floss, spoon or spatula, sugar

Step 1

Gather all materials and ingredients on the counter so everything is ready and easy to reach.

Step 2

Warm the milk until it feels warm on your wrist about 100-110°F or 38-43°C.

Step 3

Stir the instant yeast and a teaspoon of sugar into the warm milk and wait about 5-10 minutes until it looks foamy.

Step 4

Mix flour a pinch of salt a bit of sugar the egg melted butter and the foamy milk in a bowl until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 5

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Step 6

Place the dough in a greased bowl cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size about 1 hour.

Step 7

Punch the dough down with your fist and roll it into a rectangle with your rolling pin.

Step 8

Spread softened butter evenly over the dough leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 9

Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over the buttered dough.

Step 10

Starting from a long side roll the dough tightly into a log.

Step 11

Cut the log into even slices using a sharp knife or clean dental floss and place the slices on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet with space between them.

Step 12

Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and to bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown.

Step 13

Let the baked rolls cool for about 10 minutes so they are warm but safe to touch.

Step 14

Share your finished cinnamon rolls on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use if I don't have instant yeast or a rolling pin?

If you don't have instant yeast, use active dry yeast by dissolving it in the warm milk for about 10 minutes until foamy, and if you lack a rolling pin you can use a sturdy bottle to roll the dough into a rectangle.

My dough didn't rise or is too sticky — what should I check or do?

If the dough didn't rise, make sure the milk was warmed to about 100–110°F before mixing with the yeast and sugar so it foamed, and if the dough is too sticky add small sprinkles of flour while kneading on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.

How can I adapt the steps for different ages so everyone can help safely?

For younger kids let them stir the ingredients, spread the softened butter, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar while an adult warms the milk, handles the oven, and slices the log, and for older kids have them measure ingredients, knead for 5–8 minutes, and manage the 1-hour rise in a greased bowl.

How can we personalize or improve the cinnamon rolls after following the basic recipe?

To enhance the rolls, sprinkle chopped nuts or raisins over the butter before adding the cinnamon-sugar, bake until golden, let cool about 10 minutes, then drizzle a cream-cheese or powdered-sugar glaze over the finished rolls before sharing on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make cinnamon rolls

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Make the BEST Cinnamon Rolls AT HOME!

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Facts about baking for kids

⏱️ A common baking rule is to let dough rise until it roughly doubles in size — patience = softer, airier rolls.

🌳 Cinnamon is made from the rolled-up inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum — it's a tree spice!

🌀 In Sweden cinnamon rolls are called kanelbullar and are celebrated each year on October 4 (Kanelbullens dag)!

🧁 Most cinnamon roll recipes use simple pantry staples — flour, yeast, butter, milk, sugar, and cinnamon — great for kids learning to measure.

🫧 Tiny yeast cells eat sugar and release carbon dioxide bubbles that puff up dough and make rolls fluffy.

How do I make cinnamon rolls with my child?

To make cinnamon rolls with your child, start with a simple dough (homemade or store-bought refrigerated dough). Roll it into a rectangle, spread softened butter, then sprinkle an even layer of cinnamon and brown sugar. Tightly roll the dough into a log, slice into rounds using floss or a sharp knife (adult handles cutting), place in a greased pan, let rise briefly if needed, and bake until golden. Cool slightly before glazing; always supervise oven steps.

What materials and ingredients do I need for cinnamon rolls?

Gather flour, yeast (if making from scratch), milk, sugar, salt, eggs, butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. For tools, use mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a rolling pin, a bench scraper or knife (adult use), kitchen floss for neat slices, a greased baking pan, oven mitts, and a timer. Optional: powdered sugar and milk or cream cheese for glaze. Adult supervision is required for hot oven tasks and using sharp tools.

What ages are cinnamon rolls suitable for?

Cinnamon roll activities suit different ages: toddlers (2–4) can help pour ingredients and stir with supervision; preschoolers (4–6) can spread butter and sprinkle sugar; school-age children (7–10) can roll dough and learn measuring with guidance; older kids (11+) can handle more steps and oven work with adult supervision. Always supervise any step involving heat, knives, or hot pans to keep the experience safe and educational.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for making cinnamon rolls?

Baking cinnamon rolls teaches measuring, following steps, patience, and fine motor skills. Safety tips: always supervise oven and slicing, keep long hair tied back, use oven mitts, and keep a clear workspace. Variations: use store-bought dough for speed, add raisins or chopped nuts, swap brown sugar for coconut sugar, or try cream-cheese, vanilla, or maple glazes. Encourage kids to personalize toppings for creativity and ownership.
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