Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

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How To Make Delicious Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

These homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with warm cinnamon-sugar goodness. Topped with a creamy cream cheese icing, they’re the ultimate comfort food for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. With a little patience and love, you'll be rewarded with the best cinnamon rolls you've ever tasted!

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• Soft & Fluffy: Bread flour creates the perfect chewy texture.

• Rich Flavor: Dark brown sugar and cinnamon create a decadent filling, while cream cheese icing adds a luxurious finish.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough the night before and bake fresh in the morning.

 Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup milk (2% or whole milk recommended, almond milk works too)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (to activate yeast)

• 2¼ teaspoons quick-rise yeast (1 packet; active dry yeast can also be used)

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing bowl

• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature

• 3½ – 4 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting

• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup dark brown sugar (or substitute light brown sugar)

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

 Equipment Needed:

• Large mixing bowl

• Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional but helpful)

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Rolling pin

• Sharp knife or dental floss (for slicing rolls)

• 9x13-inch baking pan

• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Warm milk in a small saucepan or microwave until it reaches 110°F–115°F (43°C–46°C) (warm, not hot).

• Combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

• Mix in melted butter, egg, and egg yolk until smooth.

• Gradually add 3½ cups bread flour and salt, mixing until dough forms.

• Knead on a lightly floured surface 5–7 minutes, adding remaining flour if needed. Dough should be smooth and elastic.

• Place dough in a buttered bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Make the Filling

• Combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until smooth.

• Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 4: Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls

• Punch down risen dough, roll out into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface.

• Spread filling evenly over dough, leaving a small border.

• Roll tightly into a log from the long side; pinch to seal.

• Slice into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Arrange rolls in the prepared pan.

Step 5: Second Rise

• Cover rolls with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise again 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

Step 6: Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Bake rolls 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 7: Prepare the Icing

• Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.

• Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Adjust consistency with milk if needed.

Step 8: Ice and Serve

• Cool rolls slightly, then generously drizzle icing over warm rolls.

• Serve immediately and enjoy!

 Expert Tips:

• Milk Temperature: Ensure milk isn't too hot or it'll kill the yeast.

• Make Ahead: Prepare dough the night before, refrigerate assembled rolls, let rise slightly before baking in the morning.

• Storage: Store leftovers in airtight containers at room temperature (2 days) or refrigerated (5 days).

• Freezing: Freeze unbaked rolls up to 1 month; thaw in fridge overnight, rise and bake.

 Nutritional Information (per roll, makes 12):

• Calories: 280 kcal

• Protein: 4g

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Fat: 10g

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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

These homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with warm cinnamon-sugar goodness. Topped with a creamy cream cheese icing, they’re the ultimate comfort food for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Dough:

• - 1 cup milk warm, 110°F–115°F
• - ¼ cup granulated sugar
• - 2¼ tsp quick-rise yeast
• - ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
• - 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk room temp
• - 3½–4 cups bread flour
• - 1 tsp salt

Filling:

• - ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• - ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Icing:

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

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional but helpful)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling Pin
• Sharp knife or dental floss (for slicing rolls)
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

Method

 

1. Activate yeast in warm milk with sugar; rest 5–10 min.
2. Mix in butter, egg, yolk, flour, salt; knead until elastic.
3. Let dough rise until doubled (1–1½ hours).
4. Combine filling ingredients; roll dough, spread filling, roll up tightly.
5. Cut into 12 rolls; second rise 30–45 min.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 min.
7. Prepare icing by beating ingredients until creamy.
8. Drizzle icing over warm rolls; serve immediately.