IKEA Cinnamon Rolls

Walking through IKEA’s cafeteria, I never expected to discover some of the best cinnamon rolls I’d ever tasted. Unlike the heavy, overly sweet American versions I was used to, these Scandinavian-style treats were perfectly balanced with their light, fluffy texture and just-right sweetness. After countless visits where I’d “accidentally” end up in the food court, I finally decided to recreate these addictive rolls at home. The result is this foolproof recipe that captures every nuance of IKEA’s beloved cinnamon buns. Enjoy these for your next coffee break.

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What makes IKEA Cinnamon Rolls so good? 

Few smells are as intoxicating to wake up to as fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. This copycat IKEA Cinnamon Rolls recipe will have your mouth watering in no time. Unlike the heavier American version of cinnamon rolls, this IKEA restaurant staple leans into its Scandinavian roots with a less dense dough, a generous use of cinnamon, and a simple vanilla sugar icing that is not too sweet.

Warm, fluffy, and not too gooey, these cinnamon rolls are perfect for the morning with a cup of coffee, or as a pick-me-up at any time of day. One taste, and you won’t shop for remade cinnamon rolls again. 

IKEA Cinnamon Rolls recipe ingredients and why they are needed

For the dough for the IKEA Cinnamon Rolls, you’ll need:

• White granulated sugar, divided – sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast so the cinnamon rolls will be light and fluffy. 
• Salt – enhances the taste of the other ingredients and helps strengthen the dough’s gluten so they are a bit firmer. 
• Vegetable shortening – ensures the cinnamon rolls are soft, and keeps them softer for longer than if you were to use butter. 
• Egg, large – enriches the dough in both flavor and color. 
• All-purpose flour – makes up the bulk of the dough and provides the gluten and structure to the cinnamon rolls. 
• Active dry yeast – gives rise to the rolls, you can use instant yeast. 
• Whole milk, a little above body temperature – activates the yeast for a quicker rise and moistens the flour to create the dough.
• Vegetable oil coats the dough during the rise, preventing it from drying out.
• Cinnamon – adds the characteristic flavor of the rolls. 

For the vanilla sugar icing, you’ll need:

• Powdered sugar – forms the base of the icing and makes it sweet.
• Vanilla extract– gives the sugar icing its vanilla flavor. 
• Whole milk – dissolves the powdered sugar. 

How to make IKEA Cinnamon Buns 

To prepare the dough for the cinnamon rolls:

1. Add the white granulated sugar, the salt, and the vegetable shortening to the bowl of a stand mixer. Although you could make this recipe by hand, the dough is very wet, and it is best to use a stand or electric mixer. 
2. With a paddle attachment, run the mixer on a low speed to incorporate the sugar and salt into the vegetable shortening. Then increase the speed to medium to cream the shortening. It should lighten in color and increase in volume. 
3. Reduce the speed to low and add the egg. Slowly add the flour to the bowl while the mixer is running.
4. Pitch the yeast into the warm milk and add it to the bowl. 
5. Switch to a dough hook or turn the dough out and hand-knead it until it is soft, but still slightly tacky. 
6. Turn the dough out and brush it with olive oil. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place. Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. 

To form the cinnamon buns:

1. Lightly grease your work surface and turn the dough out.
2. Roll dough into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle, approximately 3/4 inch thick. 
3. Stir together 6.5 tablespoons of white granulated sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on the dough up to the edge.
4. Roll the dough away from you to form a cigar shape with slightly tapered ends. 
5. Use a serrated knife to cut the cinnamon roll log into 12 equal pieces. 
6. Place the cinnamon rolls, cut side down, on a parchment-lined rimmed baking dish. Cover the baking dish with a clean dish towel and let the rolls proof until they double in size, up to 2 hours.

To bake and finish the cinnamon rolls:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Bake the cinnamon rolls on the middle rack of the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes. 
3. Cool the cinnamon rolls in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack. 
4. Mix the ingredients for the vanilla sugar icing in a small bowl and drizzle over the still-warm cinnamon buns. 
5. Serve warm. 

What goes with IKEA Cinnamon Buns

Whether you enjoy cinnamon rolls for breakfast or a snack, they are better with something sippable on the side. Below are three hot and cold beverages that go great with this recipe.

• Cinnamon Coffee – For those who can never get enough cinnamon, this recipe is like dipping a spiced Christmas cookie in a cup of your favorite coffee. It’s sweet, spiced, and, oh, so very lovely. 
• Starbucks London Fog – For the tea drinker who craves something a little different, a London Fog is just the recipe for you. The combination of bergamot in the Earl Grey tea and vanilla syrup with frothed milk on top is terrific, but if you want to take it to the next level, try adding a splash of lavender syrup as well. 
• Iced Vietnamese Coffee – Sweet and strong is the best way to describe this refreshing beverage. The combination of dark drip coffee with a good amount of condensed milk stirred in makes for one creamy drink that will power you through even your toughest days. 

Storage and reheating instructions for IKEA Cinnamon Rolls

Short-Term Storage

• Room temperature: Wrap in plastic or store in airtight containers for up to 24 hours at room temperature
• Refrigerator storage: Keep wrapped rolls in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for extended freshness
• Serving preparation: Bring to room temperature before serving or warm slightly for the best texture

Long-Term Storage

• Freezer preparation: Wrap individual rolls in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for freezer protection
• Freezer duration: Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month while maintaining quality
• Thawing process: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture restoration

Reheating Methods

• Microwave method: Wrap a single roll in a damp paper towel and heat for 20-30 seconds to prevent drying
• Oven warming: Heat at 300°F for 5-8 minutes to restore fresh-baked texture
• Individual portions: Heat only what you plan to eat immediately for the best quality

More recipes for cinnamon lovers

• Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
• Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie
• Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
• Panera Cinnamon Rolls
• Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks

Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes right here on CopyKat!

IKEA Cinnamon Rolls

Copycat IKEA Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy buns filled with cinnamon sugar and topped with vanilla icing.

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: IKEA Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Rising: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 343kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls

• 5 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 6 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm whole milk
• 6 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

• Using a stand mixer, cream together the vegetable shortening, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix to incorporate. Add the flour, yeast, and milk and mix on low speed until a dough ball forms.
• Switch to a dough hook and knead for a few minutes, or knead by hand for about 6 minutes, until the dough is silky, supple, and tacky, but not sticky.
• Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl. Roll the dough around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.)
• Spray the counter with oil and transfer the dough to the counter. Gently roll out the dough into an approximately 15×9-inch rectangle. The dough should be about 2/3 of an inch thick. Do not roll the dough out too thin.
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the dough evenly to the edge.
• Gently roll the dough into a cigar-shaped log. Press the edge of the dough into the log to seal it. Cut the log into 12 even pieces.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat. Place the cinnamon rolls cut-side down onto the baking sheet. Proof the dough by letting it sit at room temperature until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
• While the rolls are cooling, make the icing by combining the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and the whole milk. You may need to add a little more milk—the icing should be thin enough to make a thick paste that falls like a ribbon when drizzled from a spoon.
• After the cinnamon rolls have cooled for about 10 to 15 minutes, drizzle the icing over the rolls.

Nutrition

Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg