Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Rolls (“Snails”)
Fluffy, delicious, made from simple ingredients! Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Rolls resemble classic Cinnabons but are much faster to make thanks to instant yeast.
Updated : 20 October, 2025
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
Dough
700 grams
Wheat flour
200 milliliters
Milk
1
Eggs
100 grams
Butter
100 grams
Sugar
10 grams
Dry yeast
Filling
100 grams
Butter
150 grams
Sugar
20 grams
Ground cinnamon
Topping
200 grams
Curd
100 grams
Powdered sugar
to taste
Vanillin
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients for the dough. Use high-quality butter without additives. Take the egg out of the fridge in advance to reach room temperature. If not, place it in warm water for a few minutes. Any milk fat content is fine; use instant yeast.
Step 2
In a large bowl, sift the flour to aerate it - this helps the rolls rise and become fluffy. Don’t add all the flour at once: start with about two-thirds, adding more later as needed.
Step 3
Add sugar and yeast to the flour, then crack in the egg and mix. Warm the milk to about 104°F (40°C) - not hotter, or it will kill the yeast. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
Step 4
Gradually pour the warm milk into the flour mixture and start kneading. Then add the melted butter and continue kneading by hand until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, add a bit more flour (about 500 g total or 4 cups). Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours.
Step 5
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Melt the butter. You can use white or brown sugar - brown sugar gives a richer flavor. Adjust the cinnamon amount to taste.
Step 6
Mix the sugar with cinnamon.
Step 7
The dough should double in size after 1.5 hours. Divide it into two parts for easier handling.
Step 8
Roll out each part into a rectangle about ½ inch (1 cm) thick. Dust the surface with flour if needed.
Step 9
Brush the dough evenly with melted butter using a pastry brush. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly.
Step 10
Roll the dough tightly lengthwise into a log. Cut into slices 1¼-1½ inches (3-4 cm) thick - about 12 rolls per half.
Step 11
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the rolls, leaving space between them. Cover with a towel and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 12
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Remove and cool slightly.
Step 13
Prepare the cream topping: use ricotta, cream cheese, or soft cottage cheese.
Step 14
Mix the cheese with powdered sugar and a pinch of vanilla. Be careful not to add too much vanilla - too much can make it bitter.
Step 15
Spread the warm rolls with the creamy topping (optional).
Step 16
Serve these beautiful homemade cinnamon rolls warm. Enjoy!