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Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - a close up of a cinnamon roll on a fork

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

by: @DerbyLaneDreams
Soft, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls made from scratch. An easy, delicious recipe perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet family treat.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories:

Ingredients
 

For the Dough
  • 2 ¾ cups flour all purpose
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons instant yeast
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 egg large
For the Filling:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 7x7”, 9x9" square pan or 9x13” baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowls for ingredients
  • Rolling Pin
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Sharp knife set
  • Cutting Board
  • Small saucepan (if warming milk)

Method
 

Make the dough:
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and sugar together. Set it aside.
  2. In a small saucepan on the stove, combine the milk and butter until the butter has melted and the mixture is warm. Whisk in the yeast until it has dissolved. Pour in the dry ingredients and add the egg. Stir mixture well until a soft dough forms.
  3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Filling
  1. While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
  2. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out into a rectangle shape, about ¼ inch thick.
  3. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
  4. Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Pinch the seam to seal.
  5. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 9 or 12 equal-sized pieces.
  6. Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  8. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Prepare the glaze
  1. While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Once the cinnamon rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
  3. Drizzle the glaze over the cinnamon rolls.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Success Tips:

  • Warm the milk slightly before adding to the yeast—it helps activate it faster.

  • Use dental floss to cut the rolls for clean edges.

  • Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot.

  • Don’t overbake—the rolls should be golden, not brown.

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