Description
Delight in these classic homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting, featuring soft, fluffy dough generously filled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a rich, creamy frosting. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 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
Filling
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 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)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Stir warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let the mixture rest for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set the softened butter aside for spreading on the dough later.
- Roll & Fill: Roll the risen dough out into a 14×9 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Evenly spread the softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture across the entire dough.
- Shape the Rolls: Carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape, starting from one long side. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 10–12 even rolls. Place the rolls into a greased baking dish, leaving slight spaces between each roll.
- Second Rise: Cover the baking dish and let the rolls rise for 30–40 minutes until they become puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk, mixing until the frosting reaches a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Frost & Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately for a soft, gooey, and irresistible treat.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Kneading the dough well is key for soft, fluffy rolls.
- Letting the rolls rise twice ensures a light texture.
- Frost the rolls while warm for easier spreading and better absorption.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, breakfast, homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls, baked pastries
