I Baked 72 Cinnamon Rolls To Create The Perfect Recipe | Bon Appétit

2 weeks of research. A (very) complex spreadsheet. 6 pounds of flour, 20 hours of cooking and so, so many tastings. Join Zaynab Issa in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen as she takes you through the journey of creating her extra-fluffy cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting - a recipe that took 72 rolls to achieve perfection.
Get Zaynab's full recipe here: bonappetit.com/recipe/cinnamo...
Director: Paz Mendez Hodes
Director of Photography: David Castellano
Editor: Robert Malone
Talent: Zaynab Issa, Chris Morocco
Culinary Director: Kelly Janke
Producer: Tyrice Hester
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Shelby Boamah
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Tony Aviles
Audio: Austin Rumsey
Food Stylist: Kaitlin Wayne
Culinary Assistant: Biba Clark
Prop Styling: Marina Bevilacqua
Photographer: Isa Zapata
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rankin
Graphics, Animation: Léa Kichler
Special Thanks:
/ whatlizhaseaten ,
/ msshiandmrhe
msshiandmrhe.com/
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ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[@travisr9839]

I loved the thought Zaynab put into the recipe’s approachability, and the emphasis she put on ingredients and tools people already have.

[@umsami]

Yes, that is such a help!

[@XusernamegoeshereX]

Appreciate that SO MUCH. I don't want to have to buy & store multiple flours at any one time - don't have a test kitchen! lol

[@tzkelley]

Call me crazy, but these new shows just not as entertaining as the old ones. Maybe it's the personalities, maybe it's the directing, or maybe it's the format, but they just aren't good. Chris' show where he tries to remake a recipe without seeing it is still worth watching. And I wish Brad would do more "It's Alive". But something needs to change at BA.

[@pipcallanan4361]

@@tzkelley I was about to say this is the first episode in a while that I really enjoyed. I love chris and his video and I do enjoy the ‘chefs make blah’ but I really enjoyed this one!

[@Horselover101Nines]

Yes I really loved that! I occasionally will buy something for a recipe but it needs to transfer into other ones that are easy to make as well. Such as red curry paste or something

[@syd2248]

It’s all cool to use specialty ingredients for recipes, but for something simple like cinnamon rolls that majority just wants to be as accessible as possible, it’s really nice that Zaynab thought about the accessibility of the ingredients used. Also love this behind the scenes of R&D, makes you appreciate the recipe more and is super fun and interesting to watch!

[@POPPIZZAJSQ]

Before going trough 20 min of video. There is a recipe at one point?

[@sofea147]

@@POPPIZZAJSQ there's a link in the description for her recipe

[@cheeseo9798]

I also don’t mind when they make a less accessible recipe if the product is way better and they usually give the option of using the more house common ingredients also.

[@tamz0309]

I make cinnamon rolls regularly and honestly the bread flour is worth getting. It’s not like it’s a $20 ingredient. It makes a huge difference

[@halfassfashion]

Yeah because if you’re buying an ingredient just for a recipe, super likely the rest will be wasted

[@Aiodiam]

Hey, previous baker here! When we made our cinnamon buns we put them 6 to a tray, in a 6x12 cake pan. Greased with white grease (flour, oil, and shortening whipped). Proofed in the pan, and when they were baked we would flip them over onto a different sheet to cool. This resulted in even buns with no spirals shooting out. Another thing to watch for is how tightly you are rolling it, as that will create pyramids as well. Better to roll just tight enough to keep it together without stretching the dough. Hope this helps someone, happy baking!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Thanks, it does!

[@minnaabdulrazig2145]

Can u make this recipe without using a mixer ?

[@Aiodiam]

@@minnaabdulrazig2145 Yes of course, it'll just be a bit messy since it is a sticky dough. You can simply hand knead (videos on YT for good technique), and keep trying for that 'window' test you see at 3:14 to know when its ready to move onto the next step.

[@ccr6088]

Dropping KNOWLEDGE. Now what are your thoughts on croissant cinnamon roll 😅. Bakery in London makes them

[@ninadora1]

@@minnaabdulrazig2145 there’s a great recipe on Food 52 that is my go to when I don’t have a stand mixer. It’s called aunt bircher’s cinnamon rolls or something like that. It’s a fave (and I’ve made a lot of cinnamon rolls). It’s a lot to knead in butter by hand like this recipe, but you can do it.

[@siosaida]

Zaynab really is gorgeous and so naturally graceful in front of the camera. Would love to see her come back

[@DDawg2]

My goodness, yes…she is stunning 🤩😍

[@rowkingsbury945]

I wish BA would put out more videos about recipe testing. It's so cool to see what goes into preparing a recipe for eventually going in the magazine/online/into a video

[@AZPhotoWACA]

I truly appreciate you choosing to use ingredients I can find locally!

[@jaekimchi]

I can tell Zaynab really liked the idea of maple syrup but she respects her coworkers opinions a lot so ultimately went in that direction.

[@corrrru]

It felt she was kind of sad about it and I wish she would have still gone her own direction, since ultimately it's her recipe, to keep the cardamom and lemon zest.

[@DavidCastro-qr8lo]

I feel the same but also feel like maybe those are great add ons for anyone looking to upgrade the basic recipe. Perfection is in the eyes (and palate) of the chef!

[@BS-j1965]

I so appreciate you using ingredients to make these rolls with ingredients most homemakers have in their homes. I’m a homemaker of 55 years and I follow so many cooking videos Bon Appetite being my favorite as long as I don’t have to go to 20 stores to find the ingredients 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thank you thank you thank you👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐💐💐🥂

[@nicholasbyres5818]

I love this! I am not sure if this is a series already, but I would love to see recipe development episodes like this more often! With multiple chefs!

[@charobascos9106]

America's Test Kitchen does this

[@shroomy024]

yeah they do this

[@alexandrachampion5148]

I love the format- it’s more like it used to be with other staff included. It has a much more organic feel and one of the things I always loved about the BA test kitchen videos. PLEASE continue like this! I’ve missed it so much! Thank you❣️

[@susannahtrentham7636]

The amount of people watching this video who won’t know what you mean :(

[@Debba521]

Really impressed with all the thought and work that went into these rolls. The test kitchen must have smelled heavenly! And those lucky people who got to taste test! I really want to try these with the methods used, very exciting. Thanks for all the time and effort put into these lovely rolls. They're obviously worth it 😊.

[@katieburgess8877]

More of these videos! Needs to be a series, specifically with Zaynab! She really shines in this process. ♥️

[@siobhanryan3307]

loved seeing the whole process of developing the recipe, that's what a test kitchen is all about

[@mikepotter]

This was a fantastic format. Love the game plan

[@PrimusUltima]

Loved being brought through the recipe design process, more of this content please!

[@darcibell2006]

Really love seeing the recipe development process!!

[@Cyrribrae]

love it! the series that ATK did on their Cuban sandwich recipe development was fantastic. This definitely has that sort of vibe (with less doom and drama haha, probably for the better). Would love to see more of this.

[@badr0100]

For the first time, i watch the whole video recipes, its great changes, and trials , thanks Zeinab

[@gaiamorgosi7181]

I looooove the whole “research approach” to the recipe, it feels so much more playful and creative to see how a recipe is born and developed. AMAZING.

[@kayleydiamond6547]

this was so fun to watch! please, more of this and the whole process

[@minecraftplayer12swag73]

wow. absolutely fantastic info and amazing research this is what i love about cooking and this video highlights that process beautifully

[@fgferraro]

reminds me of gourmet makes! love it!

[@simatalmarzooq3623]

I have never made cinammon rolls because i have always been too scared of its difficultulty. This video breaks it down to fundamentals and it is why i was encouraged to try it. It turned out wonderful, my family loved them. Im looking forward to trying it again and prefect their shapes a little better. I loved how accessible the ingredients arr and i think this contributes to why this recipe is the best, Zainab takes into consideration every little detail which is really useful. Zainab prefecting and coming up with recipes should become series

[@subynaaa]

love this video style and love zaynab! so interesting to see the process behind these recipes, really makes you appreciate more. would love to see more recipe testing videos with zaynab

[@todd4671]

Thank you for sharing your final recipe, will definatetly make it for christmas!

[@mwilliamanderson]

Great video! Can’t wait to try the recipe.

[@ElementUup511]

just made these. amazing. 100/10 recommend

[@sweett4rt]

I like to use orange zest in the frosting myself. I also pour heavy cream over my raised cinnamon rolls before I place them in th oven...sooo good

[@pcchoon]

I would liek to see these series more!! recipes with things we have at home

[@umsami]

Cinnamon Rolls are my favorite. I really hope that Zaynab and BA will do some Ramadan and Eid videos.

[@saniarahim6661]

Yes!!

[@aafsterlife9647]

YES, please! Omg that is such a phenom idea...

[@frankeyaatkinson4891]

This was a fantastic video! Thank you ❤

[@thequirkycreative]

Love this video. Will definitely try this recipe as I have always wanted to try a more pillowy dough in rolls.

[@catheriney862]

Made these today! They came out delicious 😋

[@BS-j1965]

I just had to add one more comment this was the best how to food video I’ve seen👏🏻👏🏻thank you again🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐🥂🥂❤️❤️

[@Cecilia-yy9ew]

I can't wait to try this. I've been looking for a great recipe using tangzhong! Thank you!

[@shahadsaleh7474]

I will definitely try them it looks easy and thank you for using all purpose flour ❤

[@noosetime9423]

def making this, looks absolutely fire

[@anapatriciahernandez2220]

Beautiful rolls, great explanations. Have to try them. Congratulations.

[@alexiscarnwath214]

Cannot wait to give these a go x thanks for sharing x

[@damiengodfrey3661]

I love her - amazing episode!

[@microwaaave]

thank you for blessing the world with this divine knowledge 🙏

[@TheLeinad1987]

Made these today they were amazing! Family absolutely loved them!

[@peggythomas2103]

I spread small amounts of butter on the dough, then add my brown sugar cinnamon, slightly roll into the dough, then roll up. But I also found by adding a teaspoon or more of corn starch into my filling, that I didn't lose all of the filling when it got hot and it oozed on the pan. It stays more in the bun. I also add a touch of salt to my cream cheese filling which takes that sweetness down a peg or two. I also added a touch of orange oil to the frosting which I've always loved orange cinnamon rolls as a kid growing up.

[@stizelswik3694]

sounds delicious!

[@emilykpaige]

I do the butter first and just sprinkle on as well

[@harukocha]

Appreciate her endeavor and all the experiments she has conducted.

[@laurac2325]

This is giving gourmet makes and I LOVE IT

[@eschrader]

Appreciate the detailed thougut process and recipe!

[@mariannerady1137]

Loved to see your process! Fascinating how precise and diligent you are to make it easier for us. Thanks so much!

[@summerbaby9379]

I'm so impressed with the testing and research process! Until today, I was on the hunt for a light and fluffy cinnamon roll, and I came across this video! I've saved myself a lot of "testing" recipes myself now. I cannot wait to try this recipe! Thank you so much! My sister (RIP) made cinnamon rolls using a bread machine, and they were the best and better than Cinnabon, which is saying a lot. I'm excited to taste these buns!

[@yvonnecusmano7971]

Wow! These look amazing!

[@beatpirate8]

wow i love a baker thinking out loud and studying! this is amazing!

[@nicolerose140]

i’m literally going to make these tomorrow. thank you for the dedication and ease of ingredients!

[@marianneb.7936]

Incredible, good job Zaynab !! I enjoyed watching you succeed !!

[@essendossev362]

I really appreciated seeing all the variations you tried, because ultimately I can decide for myself what results would most suit my preferences. I loooove having some crispiness on the outside, so I' be excited to try it in the muffin tin.

[@johnathansawyer8736]

THIS is amazing content! Thanks so much for showing us what you guys do! I love all your vids, but following how a recipe is created is my favorite.

[@SEOshogun]

She basically made it perfect day one! ❤🎉

[@user-px7nh7vs4b]

I've used this method (Tangzhong) for years. I use half butter and half cream cheese with powdered sugar for frosting. I always use vanilla extract in the dough and the frosting. Cinnamon sugar and butter for the filling. Never fails.

[@cissy2194]

I was thinking of making cinnamon rolls this weekend, and then this came across my feed. It’s either a sign or…. Let’s not go there 😂. Can’t wait to try her recipe! And it has nothing to do with her baking capabilities but GIRL! Your style is ❤! So you’ve inspired my kitchen and closet lol.

[@talkingcrow]

This is great. Thank you.

[@camerinthompson4124]

This is a fantastic video and incredible recipe!

[@whyshouldi4417]

I looove her! and to see the process of recepie developmet ist really interesting to watch.

[@shariwalsh9160]

Loved ❤this!!

[@carol_gare]

I really appreciate the science behind this recipe, the ratios, the technicallity of it 😍

[@amberskye93]

I can’t wait to try this omg

[@lifewithriz21]

Just wow😍 watching channel for the first time and i am obsessed cz i also love cooking and especiallay baking😇

[@kimberlyguerrerolmedo]

she needds to make more videos i loveeeeeeddd this!!!!!

[@matthewkenny4135]

Whoa. Absolutely spectacular!

[@janicelavoie2457]

I enjoyed watching. Reminds me of my grandmas' Swedish cinnamon buns. The cardamon is a big part of the Swedish buns.

[@AkeemArnott]

I can't wait to try these.

[@me11ch84]

I really loved the scientific approach to this video. ❤ I definitely want to try this recipe.

[@gabriellagreer-benedict9476]

I can’t wait to try this recipe. I read the comments on the BA sight and most people were pleased with the outcome. ❤

[@johannavanwinkle815]

Wow! Want to try this!

[@nmart1n]

This is so scientific! I could get hooked on these videos.

[@stephaniesimpson4016]

Great video! I love seeing the process of developing a recipe and Zaynab has such great energy. Thank you BA, can't wait to try these.

[@priscilaasalass]

Loved the trial and error format❤️

[@mrs.currie7746]

Yeah, I really enjoyed this!

[@blobsofpasta9069]

This js the kinds of video i used to come to bon appetit for. So happy were back in this direction.

[@kevinkaczynski1952]

her laugh when you said you don't want people tp buy something was so good.

[@jordanwierschem6691]

As someone with a gluten sensitivity who loves baking, I appreciate you using AP flour since that’s all I can get my hands on for gf

[@smubarak100]

I love the personality of Zaynab ❤

[@jonahwhitney5455]

Can this be a series? I liked it a lot!

[@BBLIVELOVEEAT]

I will definitely try these.

[@semanisa9611]

I enjoy watching this clip. I love cinnamon roles❤❤❤❤ thanks

[@davidorourkesr]

Luv this content. Great job!...

[@Sweetgin476]

Great video learned a lot

[@charlottecarrick2997]

I enjoy watching baking. But wow. I truly enjoyed watching this!

[@charlottecarrick2997]

Can't wait for the recippe@@@

[@jonathanklabunde6639]

Loved this.

[@marciareagan2718]

I loved everyone enjoying them. I could almost taste them!!🎉

[@Lizisfor]

Yes. Use things people have on hand. Thank you.

[@Rodviet]

This was such a pleasant concept, I totally loved it. Hope we get new episodes!

[@THEH0WLER87]

If you want that free form look you can bake them in a ring mould. Its a good idea to use a ring about an inch bigger than the pre-baked roll.

[@carleymcgoldrick5858]

I looooove cinnamon rolls so I appreciate the care and consideration that Zaynab took! Can't wait to try to make them!

[@janechiu370]

I love a classic cinnamon roll but I would totally try the cream cheese frosting too!

[@florence2430]

Amazing content! As a scientist I love seeing the science behind “everyday” things. This was so so cool! Great job Zaynab

[@dianemarieevans9145]

I enjoyed this video so much. I Love watching the process. Thank you! I'm definitely going to make these...

[@sairaaahmedd1306]

That big fluffy first batch looked soooo delish!

[@GuyMannick]

This is a good format, and Zaynab is an excellent host!

[@Courageouswolftarot]

I love zaynab ❤❤❤ go girl!

[@lunaspook4370]

i am so proud of you, Zaynab 🫶

[@sylvian23]

It's giving Gourmet Makes... and I'm here for it ❤️

[@sofianebouchou3733]

it's more chaotic and less chaotic at the same time. These are big shoes to fill and I hope Zaynab will be up to the task, but that remains to be seen.

[@melindawedgewood6462]

It's a starter, old school American bread/roll recipes have that as well. It's best for rich doughs to give them a head start and let them absorb more of the richer ingredients than a plain dough. There are some that add sour cream 👌