Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
I recommend whole or 2%
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 stick
- 1 0.25 ounce packet active dry yeast
make sure it’s not expired!
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
softened, 1 stick
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese
softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-4 Tbsp. milk
add 1 tbsp. at a time
Directions
- 1
First, melt unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 40-45 seconds, or until melted. Pour into a medium size bowl and set aside.
- 2
Next, heat milk in the same small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 45 seconds. Add to butter mixture, and stir in sugar and yeast packet until dissolved. Cover with a tea cloth/towel or plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
- 3
While you are waiting for your dough to activate, preheat your oven to the lowest setting (mine is 170 degrees F)
- 4
After 10 minutes, remove towel and add in 1 egg, salt, and vanilla extract. Next, begin adding in flour in 1/2 cup increments, folding in with a spatula until combined. *If easier, you can use your hands to incorporate the last bit of flour. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but not too sticky.
- 5
Form dough into a round ball in the bowl and cover with a tea cloth. Turn your oven OFF and place covered dough in the warm oven to proof for 10 minutes.
- 6
While your dough is proofing, begin preparing your cinnamon sugar filling. In a medium size mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to combine softened butter, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until combined. Set aside.
- 7
Once dough has proofed for 10 minutes, remove towel and place dough on a large pastry mat or a clean, lightly greased or floured surface to roll out. Use a rolling pin and roll the dough to form a 14″ x 18″ rectangle and 1/4″ thick.
- 8
Next, begin preheating oven to 350 degrees and use an offset spatula to spread the cinnamon sugar butter mixture on your dough almost to the edges.
- 9
Starting with the short side towards you, tightly roll vertically away from you to form a log. (see photos in post for reference)
- 10
Once rolled, use unflavored dental floss or a serrated edge knife to cut 12 nearly equal-size cinnamon rolls. If using a knife, use slow, back and forth sawing motions for the cleanest cuts. *Follow my tip of pre-marking your dough in the area where it should be cut to ensure your cinnamon rolls will be cut equally. (see photos in post for reference)
- 11
Next, place cinnamon rolls in a 9×13 baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are a light golden brown.
- 12
Let cool for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack.
- 13
While cinnamon rolls are cooling, prepare your cream cheese icing. Use an electric hand mixer to combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (1 tbsp at a time) in a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and continue adding milk until desired icing consistency is reached. (Add more milk for a thinner drizzle, and less for a thicker icing)
- 14
Spread cream cheese icing on warm cinnamon rolls, serve, and enjoy!
Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
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Based on 55 ratings
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About this Recipe
Craving warm, homemade cinnamon rolls but short on time? This Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe delivers soft, delicious, ooey gooey goodness with cream cheese icing, all ready in just 60 minutes.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic behind these cinnamon rolls is a clever approach that streamlines the baking process without sacrificing flavor or that irresistible tender texture. You get classic homemade taste and the joy of fresh-baked pastries in a fraction of the usual time, making them truly special.
What to Expect
Imagine biting into a fluffy, tender roll, its layers swirling with a rich, buttery cinnamon-sugar filling that melts in your mouth. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet spice and soft dough, crowned with a generous swirl of tangy, sweet cream cheese icing. These rolls are designed to be decadent and satisfying, delivering all the comforting indulgence you expect from a classic cinnamon roll, but with surprising speed and ease. They are truly an ooey gooey treat, perfect for any morning or special occasion.
Customization & Variations
You can easily tailor these homemade cinnamon rolls to your pantry or preferences. For the dough, while whole or 2% milk is recommended for richness, you could use other milk types if that's what you have on hand. Adjust the sweetness of the cream cheese icing by adding more or less powdered sugar to taste, or vary the consistency with milk, adding one tablespoon at a time.
Serving & Context
These Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls are ideal for a leisurely weekend breakfast, a special brunch gathering, or simply as a comforting treat with your morning coffee. Serve them warm straight from the oven for the ultimate ooey gooey experience.