Indulge in the most decadent, soft, and fluffy cinnamon rolls that melt in your mouth with each bite. These cinnamon rolls are a perfect balance of buttery dough, rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and velvety cream cheese glaze. Whether you’re making them for a cozy breakfast or a special occasion, these homemade treats are sure to impress. With simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be savoring freshly baked, warm cinnamon rolls that taste like a dream.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup whole milk (warm)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup water (warm)
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk (add more for thinner consistency)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add melted butter, egg, and warm water to the yeast mixture. Slowly combine with dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Cinnamon Filling:
- While the dough is rising, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread softened butter evenly over the mixture to create a thick paste.
3. Roll and Fill:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly across the dough.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Slice into 12 even pieces.
4. Second Rise:
- Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover with a towel and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes until puffy.
5. Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- While the rolls are cooling, whisk together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
7. Serve:
- Drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve fresh, and enjoy the irresistible flavor and texture!