As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, there's nothing quite like filling your home with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns. This ultimate recipe transforms simple ingredients into pillowy-soft, generously spiced delights that will become your new winter tradition.
Why This Recipe Beats All Others
What sets these cinnamon buns apart is the perfect balance of fluffy dough and rich, gooey filling. The secret lies in the technique - from achieving the ideal dough consistency to mastering the signature swirl that ensures every bite is packed with cinnamon goodness.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Dough:
- Strong white bread flour for that perfect chew
- Whole milk for richness and tenderness
- Fresh yeast or fast-action dried yeast
- Golden caster sugar to feed the yeast
- British butter for unparalleled flavour
- Free-range eggs for structure and colour
For the Filling:
- Soft dark brown sugar for deep molasses notes
- Ground cinnamon - don't be shy with it!
- More butter to create that irresistible goo
- Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
The Method: Step-by-Step Perfection
Begin by creating a warm, enriched dough that requires proper kneading until smooth and elastic. The first prove is crucial - allow the dough to double in size in a draught-free spot. This patience will reward you with incredibly light buns.
While the dough proves, prepare the filling by creaming together butter, sugar and a generous amount of cinnamon. The ratio here is key - too little and you'll miss the warmth, too much and it becomes overpowering.
Baking Tips from the Pros
Roll your dough to a precise rectangle and spread the filling evenly, leaving just a small border. The tightness of your roll determines the beautiful spiral pattern. Use dental floss instead of a knife for clean cuts that don't compress the dough.
Arrange your buns in a well-buttered tin with slight gaps to allow for expansion. The second prove is shorter but equally important - look for the buns to become puffy and touching.
The Final Touch: Glazing Magic
While still warm from the oven, brush your cinnamon buns with a simple sugar syrup or cream cheese frosting. The warmth helps the glaze melt into every nook, creating that signature sticky finish that makes these treats utterly irresistible.
Serve warm with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate cosy afternoon treat. These buns also freeze beautifully, meaning you can enjoy a taste of winter comfort whenever the mood strikes.
