Description
These Braided Cinnamon Buns are soft, fluffy, and beautifully twisted to create an eye-catching treat. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they combine a tender bread dough with a cinnamon-sugar butter filling, braided for an attractive presentation and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 tbsp instant dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For brushing
- 1 beaten egg
Instructions
- Warm milk and melt butter: Gently warm the milk in a saucepan and melt the 3/4 cup of softened unsalted butter into it, ensuring the mixture is warm but not hot.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant dry yeast until evenly combined.
- Combine dough ingredients: Pour the warm milk and butter mixture along with the eggs into the dry ingredients. Stir until a rough dough forms, then turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let dough rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined to create a spreadable cinnamon sugar filling.
- Shape and braid buns: Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough. Cut the dough into strips, then braid the strips carefully. Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush and bake: Brush the twisted dough generously with the beaten egg to give it a shiny golden crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until the buns are golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- Make sure the milk and butter mixture is warm to help activate the yeast but not too hot to kill it.
- Kneading the dough well is key to achieving soft, fluffy buns.
- If you do not have bread flour, all-purpose flour can be used but buns may be slightly less chewy.
- Letting the dough rise fully is essential for light texture.
- Brush with egg wash right before baking for a beautiful golden shine.
- Allow buns to cool slightly before serving for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
