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Cinnamon Rolls


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: 912 cinnamon rolls 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These homemade Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with rich cinnamon-sugar filling, all topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy breakfast, brunch, or special occasion, they deliver bakery-level results right from your kitchen. This classic recipe is simple to follow and guaranteed to impress.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)

  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 egg yolk

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

  • ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed

  • 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Pinch of salt


Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast:

    • In a large bowl, whisk warm milk and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

  2. Make Dough:

    • Add sugar, egg, yolk, and melted butter. Stir to combine.

    • Add flour and salt. Mix until a dough forms. Knead by hand or mixer for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

    • Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

  3. Make Filling:

    • Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.

  4. Shape Rolls:

    • Roll dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

    • Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 9–12 rolls.

  5. Second Rise:

    • Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

  6. Bake:

    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

    • Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.

  7. Make Frosting:

    • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.

  8. Frost and Serve:

    • Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve.

Notes

For overnight prep, refrigerate shaped rolls before the second rise. Let come to room temp and rise before baking.

Add chopped pecans or raisins to the filling if desired.For a glaze alternative, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk and a splash of vanilla.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon buns, cream cheese icing, brunch recipes, soft cinnamon rolls, sweet yeast dough