Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls: A Delightful Classic with Cream Cheese Glaze

These soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls, or “Zimtschnecken,” are the perfect balance of sweet, buttery dough wrapped around a rich cinnamon-sugar filling. With their warm, comforting aroma and gooey texture, they’re a classic treat that never goes out of style. The soft dough, enriched with butter and milk, creates a light, tender roll, while the filling of cinnamon and brown sugar adds a delicious sweetness and warmth to each bite. Topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze, these cinnamon rolls are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting dessert.

Why You’ll Love This:

You’ll love these cinnamon rolls for their pillowy texture and the sweet, spiced filling that melts into the soft dough as it bakes. The addition of cream cheese in the glaze gives the rolls a tangy, rich finish, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the brown sugar and cinnamon. The dough is easy to work with, and the rolls come out beautifully soft every time. Whether you’re new to baking or an experienced baker, this recipe is a foolproof way to create a batch of irresistible cinnamon rolls that everyone will love.

Perfect Occasion:

These cinnamon rolls are perfect for special breakfasts, weekend brunches, or any occasion when you want to treat your family and friends to something homemade and indulgent. They’re great for holidays, like Christmas morning, or as a sweet surprise for a cozy Sunday afternoon. You can also make them ahead of time and enjoy them as a warm, comforting snack with coffee or tea. Whether you serve them fresh from the oven or warm them up later, these cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.

Decoration Tips:

For a bakery-worthy finish, spread the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm cinnamon rolls, letting it melt slightly into the grooves of the rolls. You can also sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or finely chopped nuts, like pecans, over the glaze for added texture and flavor. If you want to give them a festive look, consider dusting the rolls with powdered sugar after glazing. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle some caramel sauce over the top before serving—perfect for special occasions or when you’re feeling extra decadent.

Ingredients for the Dough:

• 450 grams of flour
• 200 ml of lukewarm milk
• 20 grams of fresh yeast
• 60 grams of sugar
• 50 grams of softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 pinch of salt

For the Filling:

• 80 grams of softened butter
• 120 grams of brown sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons of cinnamon

Additional:

• 80 ml of heavy cream

For the Glaze:

• 60 grams of cream cheese
• 120 grams of powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, fresh yeast, and sugar. Stir until the yeast dissolves. In a large bowl, add the flour, softened butter, egg, and a pinch of salt. Pour the milk-yeast mixture into the bowl and knead until a smooth dough forms. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, so only add the 450 grams of flour. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
   In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well mixed and creamy.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
   Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 1 cm thick. Spread the cinnamon-butter mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from one long side. Slice the log into evenly-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm thick.
4. Second Rise:
   Place the sliced rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them. Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Bake the Rolls:
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) in top and bottom heat mode. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 10 minutes. Then, pour the 80 ml of heavy cream evenly over the rolls and bake for another 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them after the first 10 minutes to ensure they don’t over-brown.
6. Make the Glaze:
   While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
7. Glaze the Rolls:
   Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese glaze over the tops. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy!