Description
These soft and sweet cinnamon rolls are delightfully decadent, featuring a tender dough swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, and topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or indulgent dessert, this classic American treat is made from scratch with warming spices and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Prepare the Dough: Add the granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour while mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 6–8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, then transfer it to a greased bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Roll and Fill the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. Mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered dough. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log shape.
- Cut and Proof the Rolls: Slice the rolled log into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover the dish and let the rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy and almost doubled in size.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
- Make the Cream Cheese Glaze: While the rolls are baking, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and immediately spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls. Serve right away for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For overnight preparation, after slicing the rolls, cover them and refrigerate overnight in the baking dish. Before baking, let them sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
- For variations, consider adding chopped pecans or raisins to the cinnamon-sugar filling for added texture and flavor.
