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The Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever

Experience bakery-quality cinnamon rolls with a soft, fluffy texture and a gooey filling topped with rich cream cheese icing.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 rolls
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dough

  • 1.33 cups 1 1/3 cup whole milk (320g) Warm, but not hot
  • 4 teaspoons 4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast) Can substitute instant yeast
  • 0.5 cups 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g) Used in dough
  • 5 cups 5 cups all-purpose flour (650g)
  • 2 large 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons salt
  • 0.5 cups 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)

Filling

  • 0.5 cups 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
  • 1 cups 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200g)
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tbsp cinnamon powder
  • 0.75 teaspoons 3/4 tsp salt

Assembly & Baking

  • 0.5 cups 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g), room temperature

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 oz 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g)
  • 0.25 cups 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
  • 0.25 cups 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g)
  • 1 cups 1 cup icing sugar (100g)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Prep your workspace and ingredients by clearing your counter space and gathering all your ingredients.
  • In a saucepan, warm the 1 1/3 cup whole milk over low heat until it is just below simmering.
  • Remove the milk from heat and sprinkle the 4 teaspoons of active dry yeast over the warm milk, followed by a tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let this sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 5 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt.
  • Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add in the 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup softened butter. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a rough dough forms.

Kneading & Rising

  • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Shape the kneaded dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

Filling & Rolling

  • While the dough is rising, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon powder, and salt in a bowl, mixing until a spreadable paste forms.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently, transfer it to a floured surface, and roll it into a rectangle (approx. 16x24 inches). Spread the filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
  • Roll the dough tightly into a log from one long side and cut it into 12 equal rolls, placing them in a greased baking dish.

Baking

  • Cover the rolls and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once risen, pour the heavy cream evenly over the rolls and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Icing & Serving

  • While the rolls are baking, mix the cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and icing sugar until smooth.
  • After the rolls have baked, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls and serve.

Notes

Best served warm. Consider adding nuts or spices to customize your rolls.
Keyword Baked Goods, Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade, Sweet Treats