Description
This homemade Best Cinnamon Rolls recipe features a soft and fluffy yeast dough filled with a rich cinnamon-sugar butter filling, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these cinnamon rolls boast a perfect balance of sweetness, spiced warmth, and creamy tang, making them irresistible and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in all-purpose flour using the dough hook attachment until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough with the dough hook for about 5–7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape Rolls: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface. Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 even rolls.
- Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 30–45 minutes, or until puffy.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Frosting: While the rolls bake, beat softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Add milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Finish and Serve: After removing the rolls from the oven, let them cool slightly. Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- These rolls can be prepped the night before. After shaping, cover and refrigerate them, then bring to room temperature before baking.
- For variation, add chopped pecans or raisins to the cinnamon-sugar filling.
