BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups all-purpose flour
spooned and leveled, 480g-600g
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
50g
- 2 & 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1 package
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup water*
180mL
- 1/2 cup whole milk
120mL
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
cut into 4 slices, 60g
- 1 large egg
at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
very soft, 85g
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
light or dark, 150g
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces block cream cheese
room temperature, 115g
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
room temperature, 70g
- 1 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar
195g
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour (to start), sugar, yeast, and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- 2
In a medium microwave safe bowl or cup, combine water, milk, and sliced butter. Microwave in 10 second bursts until the butter just melts and the mixture feels warm but not hot. You can also do this with a pot placed on a stove burner set to low heat.
- 3
Whisk the egg into the water mixture to combine.
- 4
Pour the wet ingredients over the flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon, mix together until you have a very thick and sticky dough.
- 5
Add another 1 cup of flour to the dough and mix until it starts coming together into ball.
- 6
This next step can be done by hand directly in your bowl or on a lightly floured work surface /or/ on medium speed with a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Knead the dough, adding flour as needed to keep it from sticking to your hands / the sides of the bowl, until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If you poke the top of the dough, it should spring back - if the indent remains, the dough needs more kneading.
- 7
Cover the dough and set aside for about 20 minutes. The dough will puff up slightly but won't double in size. This is just to relax the gluten and make the dough easier to roll without it pulling in on itself.
- 8
Turn the rested dough onto a lightly floured work surface and roll it out into a roughly 14x10 inch rectangle. Use your hands to press and pull the edges to get as nice of a rectangular shape as you can - it doesn't have to be perfect though!
- 9
Spread the softened butter over the dough, leaving a roughly 1/2 inch boarder along the edges. Sprinkle the sugar on top and use your hands to spread it out into an even layer over the butter. Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon evenly on top.
- 10
Working from the longer side of the dough, roll it up into a log.
- 11
Cut about 1/2 an inch off each end of the log (this just makes for nicer and more uniform rolls - you can bake them off separately or just skip this step if you don't mind the appearance).
- 12
Use a sharp serrated knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 even rolls. If using a knife, cut the rolls using a sawing motion to prevent squishing. If using floss, break off a large string of unflavored dental floss and wiggle it under your log of dough positioned where you'd like to cut. Lift the ends of the floss up and over the log and cross to form an X. Pull on the ends of the floss to cut through the dough (see above post for visual).
- 13
Arrange the rolls cut side up in a 9x13 inch baking dish. There should be a tiny bit of space between each roll but it's fine if they're touching.
- 14
Cover the rolls and set aside in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until about doubled in size. My favorite place to keep cinnamon rolls during this time is in the oven (it shouldn't be on or hot) just because it keeps the rolls safe from any cold drafts. They'll be pressed up against each other once they puff up - that's normal!
- 15
Uncover the rolls and place into the center of your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a nice golden brown on top. Set aside while you make the icing.
- 16
In a medium sized bowl, combine icing ingredients. Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a wooden spoon by hand, cream together until smooth. If using a mixer, start on low speed just to incorporate everything together and then whip on medium speed to smoothen the mixture out.
- 17
While the cinnamon rolls are still warm, spread the icing on top. It'll melt slightly and make them extra gooey!
BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that tastes like a warm hug? These BEST Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are designed to deliver that pure bliss, transforming your kitchen into an aromatic haven with every bite.
What sets these cinnamon rolls apart is the perfect harmony of their components: a pillowy soft homemade dough that practically melts in your mouth, a generously sweet, spiced cinnamon filling, and an ooey gooey cream cheese frosting that takes indulgence to another level. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that truly lives up to its "BEST" name, making every moment an unforgettable treat.
Prepare for a truly decadent experience. You'll bite into a tender, rich dough swirled with a golden-brown sugar and cinnamon mixture that's both sweet and warmly spiced. The generous layer of creamy, tangy frosting perfectly balances the sweetness, creating a dessert or breakfast pastry that's utterly irresistible. While crafting these rolls involves a bit of time—around 65 minutes of active preparation and a total of 1 hour 50 minutes—the journey is as rewarding as the destination, yielding 12 magnificent servings. Each roll promises a comforting chewiness, a sticky-sweet center, and the luxurious smoothness of cream cheese.
Customization & Variations: While this recipe is perfected as written, you can tailor certain elements to your preference. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar—feel free to use light or dark brown sugar based on the depth of molasses flavor you prefer in your cinnamon filling. Ensuring your unsalted butter for the filling is very soft, and your cream cheese and butter for the frosting are at room temperature, will significantly impact the final texture, giving you that truly "ooey gooey" result.
Serving & Context: These remarkable cinnamon rolls are perfect for special occasion breakfasts, holiday brunches, or simply as an indulgent weekend treat. Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comforting experience.