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Delicious homemade cinnamon rolls topped with creamy icing and cinnamon swirls.

Cinnamon Rolls

Deliciously soft and gooey cinnamon rolls made easy for a cozy weekend treat.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the dough
  • 1 cup Warm milk Aim for body temperature, around 100 to 110 F.
  • 2 tablespoons Active dry yeast Fresh yeast makes a huge difference.
  • 1/4 cup Granulated sugar Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough.
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Melted but not piping hot.
  • 2 Eggs Room temperature helps them blend smoothly into the dough.
  • 4-5 cups All purpose flour Start with less, then add a bit more until the dough is soft and slightly tacky.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Balances the sweetness and strengthens the dough.
For the filling and icing
  • 1/2 cup Brown sugar Heart of the filling.
  • 2 tablespoons Ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch Salt To enhance filling flavor.
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese For icing.
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar For icing sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Classic icing flavor.
  • 1-2 tablespoons Milk To adjust glaze consistency.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, stir yeast with warm milk and a spoonful of sugar. Wait 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
  3. Add melted butter, eggs, and the foamy yeast mixture. Mix until combined.
  4. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until soft and slightly tacky.
  5. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm environment until doubled, about 1 hour.
Filling and Shaping
  1. Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches.
  2. Spread softened butter over the dough and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  3. Tightly roll the dough from the long side into a log.
  4. Cut the log into 12 even pieces and place in a greased baking dish.
  5. Cover and let rise for another 30 to 45 minutes until puffed.
Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
  2. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until golden on top.
  3. Let cool slightly before icing.
Icing
  1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  2. Spread icing over warm rolls just before serving.

Notes

For a gooey center, leave a thicker layer of filling in the middle. Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage. Use a small piece of bread or marshmallow in the container to keep moisture.