Name: Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet); ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C); ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted); 1 large egg; ½ tsp salt; ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed); 2 tbsp ground cinnamon; ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened); 4 oz cream cheese (softened); ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1–2 tbsp milk (to adjust texture)

Ingredients

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)

¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)

1 large egg

½ tsp salt

⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter (softened, for filling)

4 oz cream cheese (softened)

¼ cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)

1 cup powdered sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

1–2 tbsp milk (to adjust frosting texture)

Instructions

Activate the yeast: In a bowl, stir warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast together. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

Make the dough: Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set the softened butter aside.

Roll and fill: Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 14×9 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.

Shape the rolls: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 10–12 even rolls.

Second rise: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving slight spacing between each. Cover and let them rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy.

Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

Make the frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk little by little until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.

Frost and serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately for soft, gooey goodness.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature ingredients to help the dough rise evenly and create a soft texture.

For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the cinnamon sugar before rolling.

If you prefer a vegan version, substitute dairy and egg with plant-based alternatives and use vegan cream cheese for the frosting.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and allow it to rise, then refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature and complete the second rise before baking.

How do I know if my yeast is still good?

If the yeast mixture becomes frothy and bubbly after resting with warm milk and sugar, it’s active and good to use. If not, it’s best to use fresh yeast.