The Scented Kitchen: How One Cinnamon Roll Recipe Stole My Heart (and My Mom’s Too!)
This time of year always reminds me how much I dread the cold weather.
It’s funny how life changes as you age. Growing up in Iowa, I never gave a second thought to snow or ice. To me, winter simply meant hours of outdoor fun. Sledding down hills—on actual sleds, innertubes (my favorite!), or even a cardboard box—was a highlight of the season. The best part of winter, however, was my mom’s famous cinnamon rolls. While we were outside playing in the snow, she would be busy in her kitchen whipping up a batch. The aroma would greet us as we burst through the door, cheeks red from the cold. They were so irresistible that she had to hide some away to make sure Dad got his share when he came home from work.
Today, as I sat in my kitchen with the Belle Aroma Crème Brûlée No-Mess Fragrance Tarts diffusing their warm, inviting notes of vanilla, toasted coconut, and maple, I couldn’t help but think back to those cozy winter days in my mom’s kitchen. The scent even reminded me of the last time I made a batch of cinnamon rolls. Inspired by the maple notes in the fragrance, I added a touch of maple flavoring to the cream cheese icing. Oh my! The depth it brought to an already over-the-top roll was incredible.
As I got older, I loved helping my mom make her cinnamon rolls. My favorite part was spreading the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon over the rolled-out dough. Of course, I never added enough for her liking—Mom always came back to add a little more. Even at 90, before she moved to a nursing home, she still knew best.
Years later, after moving to Southwest Missouri, I worked at a family restaurant famous for its home-baked treats, including cinnamon rolls that were nearly the size of dinner plates. While impressive, even those didn’t compare to my mom’s.
Everything changed, however, when Cinnabon came to town. I became determined to replicate their rich, gooey perfection at home. Thankfully, I stumbled across a recipe that changed my life: the “Clone of a Cinnabon” by Marsha Fernandez on AllRecipes. With over 6,000 reviews and a 4.8-star rating, it was worth a try. The secret? Using a bread machine for the dough cycle.
I’ll admit, this recipe dethroned my mom’s as my all-time favorite. Even she agrees—she’s more than happy to indulge in one of these rolls! The best part? The heavenly aroma that fills the house while they bake, creating the coziest atmosphere.
If you’re craving a little comfort this season, I can’t recommend this recipe enough. Try adding a hint of maple flavoring to the icing—you’ll thank me later!
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Lori Herr for Belle Aroma® Brand