
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.
Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls made from scratch, filled with a rich cinnamon-butter-sugar mixture, and finished with a tangy yogurt glaze. This recipe is adapted from an Italian home kitchen, with all the tips and tricks for perfect results, even if you’re new to baking yeasted doughs.
Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist
Everything you need to know about this recipe
Cinnamon Rolls Italian Style by Cooker Girl & Giulia blend the American love for sweet breakfast pastries with the Italian tradition of soft, buttery brioche-like doughs. The recipe reflects the migration of Italian home baking techniques to the United States, where cinnamon‑spiced rolls became a staple at family brunches. It honors both cultures by using Italian‑style dough enrichment while keeping the familiar American cinnamon‑sugar filling.
In Northern Italy, similar sweet rolls are made as "pan brioche" with candied fruit, while in the United States Italian‑American families often add a cinnamon‑sugar swirl and a tangy yogurt glaze, as seen in this recipe. Some regions favor a richer butter filling, others incorporate nuts or raisins. The Cooker Girl & Giulia version highlights the Italian‑American adaptation that emphasizes a soft crumb and a slightly tart finish.
In authentic Italian home settings, these rolls are served warm straight from the oven, often dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a yogurt glaze. They are commonly enjoyed with a cup of espresso, cappuccino, or a glass of milk. Occasionally they are paired with fresh fruit or a light ricotta spread for added richness.
Cinnamon Rolls Italian Style by Cooker Girl & Giulia are a popular choice for weekend brunches, holiday breakfasts such as Christmas and Easter, and family gatherings in American‑Italian households. They also appear at birthday celebrations and pot‑luck events because they are easy to share and appeal to both children and adults.
The recipe exemplifies the fusion of American comfort food with Italian pastry craftsmanship, using a yeasted dough enriched with butter and milk like Italian brioche, yet flavored with the quintessential American cinnamon‑sugar core. This blend showcases how immigrant culinary practices have been woven into everyday American breakfast and dessert menus.
Authentic ingredients include medium‑strength bread flour (11‑12% protein), fresh baker’s yeast, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, fine salt, whole milk, and a tangy yogurt glaze. Acceptable substitutes are all‑purpose flour (though texture may be slightly softer), plant‑based butter for dairy‑free diets, and a simple cream cheese glaze if yogurt is unavailable.
Common errors include using milk that is too hot, which can kill the fresh baker’s yeast, and under‑proofing the dough, leading to dense rolls. Over‑kneading can develop too much gluten, making the texture tough, while over‑sweetening the glaze can mask the subtle tang of the yogurt. Proper temperature control and gentle handling ensure a pillowy crumb.
Medium‑strength bread flour provides enough gluten development to support a light, airy rise while still yielding a tender crumb typical of Italian‑style brioche. All‑purpose flour has lower protein and may result in rolls that are less structured and slightly flatter, especially after the second proof.
The YouTube channel Cooker Girl & Giulia specializes in Italian home cooking and baking tutorials that are adapted for an American audience. Their philosophy emphasizes simple, ingredient‑focused techniques, preserving traditional Italian flavors while making them accessible to home bakers in the United States. This approach is evident in their Cinnamon Rolls Italian Style recipe, which blends Italian dough methods with classic American sweet fillings.
Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls made from scratch, filled with a rich cinnamon-butter-sugar mixture, and finished with a tangy yogurt glaze. This recipe is adapted from an Italian home kitchen, with all the tips and tricks for perfect results, even if you’re new to baking yeasted doughs.

A healthier, no-fry version of classic chicken parmesan. Tender chicken breasts baked in tomato sauce, layered with mozzarella, parmesan, fresh basil and crunchy garlic croutons for a crispy, cheesy top.

Homemade Vietnamese nem chua – a tangy, spicy fermented beef and pork skin snack wrapped in banana leaves. The recipe walks you through soaking pork skin, mixing a seasoned meat batter, two days of room‑temperature fermentation, and traditional banana‑leaf wrapping for an authentic appetizer.

A moist chocolate cake, flavored with vanilla and hazelnut powder, covered with a butter‑powdered sugar cocoa frosting. Decorated with toasted almonds and colored chocolate, it makes an elegant and indulgent Easter gift.

A French tart with shortcrust pastry, filled with a silky almond cream, syrup‑poached pears and sliced almonds. Easy to make, perfect for an elegant dessert or a gourmand snack.

Maritotsi are soft Italian‑style sweet brioche buns split open and filled with a light vanilla‑mascarpone whipped cream. The buns are brushed with a fragrant vanilla‑rum syrup and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. This recipe combines a classic brioche dough (prepared ahead) with a rich yet airy cream filling for an elegant dessert or snack.