Some recipes feel like home from the moment the aroma fills the kitchen. Soft and fluffy cinnamon walnut rolls—warm, pillowy spirals layered with butter, spices, and crunchy toasted walnuts—belong in that category. Topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting, they transform an ordinary morning into a celebration.
Whether you’re baking for brunch, holidays, or simply treating yourself, this recipe brings together everything we love about comfort baking: slow mornings, the scent of cinnamon drifting through the house, and the first sweet bite of a freshly iced roll.
Why These Rolls Stand Out
1. Soft, cloud-like dough
The secret lies in a rich, slightly sweet dough that rises slowly, developing flavor and tenderness.
2. Toasted walnuts for depth
Walnuts add a nutty crunch that balances the sweetness and enhances the cinnamon.
3. Cream cheese frosting that melts into the swirls
Warm rolls meet cool frosting—an irresistible contrast that makes every bite luscious.
4. A recipe that welcomes both beginners and experts
With simple steps and forgiving dough, anyone can craft bakery-style rolls at home.
Ingredients
For the Dough
3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup warm milk (not hot)
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
For the Cinnamon-Walnut Filling
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
¾ cup chopped walnuts (toasted for best flavor)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for smoothness)
How to Make Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon Walnut Rolls
