Description
Irresistible homemade cinnamon rolls deliver pure comfort from scratch with minimal effort. Warm spices and sweet glaze promise delightful moments you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 2 ¼ tsps active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsps ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsps milk (to desired consistency)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast with warm milk and sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and bubbly, signaling the yeast’s readiness.
- Dough Preparation: Merge the foamy yeast with melted butter, eggs, and remaining sugar. Gradually fold in flour and salt, kneading until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic texture that springs back when touched.
- First Fermentation: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, drape with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free zone until it expands to double its original volume, roughly 60-90 minutes.
- Filling Creation: Blend softened butter with brown sugar and ground cinnamon until the mixture becomes a uniform, aromatic spread.
- Dough Transformation: Roll out the risen dough into an even rectangular shape, spreading the cinnamon-sugar mixture edge to edge, leaving a minimal border to prevent leakage.
- Rolling and Cutting: Tightly roll the dough from the longer side, maintaining consistent tension. Seal the seam by pinching edges. Slice the log into uniform rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for precise cuts.
- Second Proofing: Nestle the rolls in a greased baking dish with slight spacing, covering them to allow a second rise until they become puffy and slightly expanded.
- Baking Process: Heat the oven to 350F, baking the rolls until they achieve a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Glaze Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to create a luxurious, spreadable topping.
- Final Touch: Immediately drizzle warm rolls with cream cheese glaze, ensuring complete coverage for a decadent finish. Serve piping hot to savor the ultimate cinnamon roll experience.
Notes
- Activate Yeast Precisely: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating perfect rising conditions.
- Knead Dough Strategically: Work the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer, developing gluten for soft rolls.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Avoid adding too much flour during kneading, which can make rolls dense; dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular milk with almond or oat milk, use gluten-free flour blend, and replace butter with plant-based alternatives for different dietary requirements.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg