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Freshly baked gooey cinnamon rolls with icing on top

Cinnamon Rolls

The best, easiest, and gooiest cinnamon rolls that combine fluffy dough with a rich cinnamon filling, topped with cream cheese frosting.
Servings 12 rolls
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk (warmed to 110°F) Ensure milk is at the correct temperature to activate yeast.
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 standard packet.
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar Divided into parts.
  • 1 large egg (plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) For the dough.
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) For the filling.
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Frosting Ingredients

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preparation

  • Warm the milk to 110°F. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  • Once the yeast is foamy, add the remaining sugar, melted butter, egg, and egg yolk. Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.
  • Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer, then add the flour and salt. Knead the dough on medium speed for 7-8 minutes until it is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

Filling Preparation

  • While the dough is rising, mix the filling ingredients (melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon) in a small bowl until it forms a paste.

Shaping & Baking

  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down. On a floured surface, roll it into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled dough.
  • Tightly roll the dough into a log and use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 equal rolls. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
  • Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they appear puffy. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown. Once done, let them cool slightly.

Frosting

  • In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy.

Serving

  • Spread the frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately for the best flavor experience.

Notes

Store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15g
Calories: 300kcal
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baking, Cinnamon Rolls, Desserts, homemade, Pastries