Description
Classic homemade cinnamon rolls with a soft, tender dough filled with a cinnamon-sugar butter filling and topped with rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat at brunch, these rolls are fluffy, flavorful, and irresistibly gooey.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt, then gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling and Roll Dough: Punch down the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough. Roll the dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even rolls. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Frosting: While rolls bake, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over warm rolls once out of the oven and serve.
Notes
- To make overnight cinnamon rolls, prepare the dough through the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Allow rolls to come to room temperature before baking.
- Add chopped pecans or raisins to the filling for additional texture and flavor.
