Dive into the world of baking with these irresistible homemade cinnamon rolls, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Each roll is soft, fluffy, and loaded with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling, creating the perfect treat for any cinnamon lover. This recipe guides you through the process of making the dough from scratch, filling it with cinnamon goodness, and baking it to golden perfection.
Why You'll Love This: These cinnamon rolls combine the comforting warmth of cinnamon and sugar with a rich and creamy frosting that melts in your mouth. The joy of pulling apart a freshly baked cinnamon roll and tasting the soft, doughy texture with the creamy frosting is unmatched. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, these cinnamon rolls are straightforward to make and sure to impress.
Perfect Occasion: Cinnamon rolls are a versatile treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert for gatherings and special occasions. Serve them fresh out of the oven on lazy weekend mornings, at holiday gatherings, or during special events like birthdays or family reunions. They are guaranteed to be a hit and make any occasion feel more special.
Decoration Tips: For a beautiful presentation, drizzle extra frosting on top of the cinnamon rolls after they have cooled slightly. You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on top for added color and flavor. For a festive touch, decorate with edible glitter or colored sugar that complements the occasion.
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp. Rapid Rise Instant Yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg, room temperature
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 – 3 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the milk and butter until the butter is mostly melted (about 30 seconds). Let cool if too hot.
- Add the warm milk mixture and egg to the flour mixture. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, allowing the dough to form a ball and start pulling away from the bowl sides.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling and Assemble:
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Roll out risen dough on a floured surface into an 18x12 inch rectangle.
- Spread room temperature butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture.
- Roll up tightly from the long end, pinch to seal, and cut into 12 rolls.
- Place rolls in a parchment-lined 9x13 inch baking dish, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 30 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly.
- Frosting:
- Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Spread over the slightly cooled rolls.
Enjoy your delicious homemade cinnamon rolls warm, smothered with cream cheese frosting!
