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Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls

This homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe delivers warm, soft, and gooey rolls with fluffy, tender dough packed with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with creamy cream cheese icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast, brunch, or special occasion, these rolls are easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients and customizable options to suit various tastes and dietary preferences.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12-15 cinnamon rolls 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (100°F to 110°F)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt

Filling Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until pleasantly warm (between 100°F to 110°F). Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm milk and let it proof for 5-10 minutes until foamy to ensure the dough will rise properly.
  2. Mix Ingredients and Knead: In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  3. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
  4. Roll Out and Add Filling: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Brush the melted butter evenly across the dough, then sprinkle generously with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  5. Shape the Rolls: Carefully roll the dough into a tight log starting from the long side. Cut the log into 12-15 even slices. Place the slices in a greased baking dish with small spaces between them to allow for expansion.
  6. Second Rise and Bake: Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes until they become puffy. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
  7. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the rolls bake, whip together softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Once the rolls are warm out of the oven, spread the frosting generously over them.

Notes

  • Use fresh yeast and check expiration for best rise.
  • Keep milk warm but not hot (100°F to 110°F) to avoid killing yeast.
  • Knead dough properly to develop gluten for soft, sturdy rolls.
  • Don’t skip the second rise to ensure fluffy, light rolls.
  • Brush butter generously under the filling for moist, flavorful rolls.
  • Use sharp dental floss or serrated knife to slice rolls cleanly without squishing.
  • Apply frosting while rolls are warm so it melts into every crevice.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, homemade, breakfast, brunch, sweet rolls, cream cheese frosting, soft dough, cinnamon sugar