A New World in an Old Bread Machine: Cinnamon Rolls Made Possible

Sometimes the best finds aren’t shiny or new, they’re sitting on a thrift shop shelf waiting for someone to give them a second life. That’s exactly how I stumbled across my bread machine. At first, it was just curiosity. But the moment I brought it home, plugged it in, and realized what it could do, it felt like a door opened for me.

For a long time, making bread by hand was something I thought I had to leave behind. I live with advanced peripheral neuropathy and progressive rheumatoid arthritis. My hands don’t work the way they used to, and kneading dough for ten minutes straight isn’t possible anymore. I say this not for pity, but for anyone else reading who knows what it feels like to love baking but feel like your body is working against you.

That little thrift store bread machine gave me back a part of my kitchen I thought was lost. It reminded me that sometimes we just need to find a new way—not give up on the joy we love.

One of the first recipes I made with it was a classic: soft, gooey cinnamon rolls. The bread machine handles the mixing and kneading, and I get to enjoy the fun part, rolling, filling, and smelling that sweet cinnamon sugar swirl as it bakes.

If you’ve ever felt like your limitations are closing doors, let me tell you: sometimes the workaround is sitting right in front of you, waiting to change everything.

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Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls

Yield: 10-12

Author: Tamra Mentzer

Prep time: 10 HourCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 2 HourAssembly Time: 30 MinTotal time: 12 H & 50 M

Your bread machine takes care of the dough, so you can focus on what matters: the ooey-gooey cinnamon filling and sweet drizzle on top!

Ingredients

Dough

• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups bread flour (AP will work also)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 ½ tsp instant yeast

Filling

• 3/4 cup of brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup softened butter

Frosting

• 1/2 cup room temperature butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar (more or less till desired consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Place dough ingredients in your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the “dough” cycle and press start.
2. Once the cycle is complete, roll dough into a rectangle (about 16x21 inches).
3. Spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll up tightly and slice into 12 rolls. Place in a greased 9x13 pan.
5. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Mix glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over warm rolls.