Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Soft Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Prep

30 min

Rise

1 hr 30 min

Cook

25 min

Total

2 hr 25 min

Servings

12

Difficulty

Medium

Ingredients

• For the dough
• 1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 yolk
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• For the filling
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• For the icing
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Whisk the warm milk, yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy, then whisk in the egg, yolk and melted butter.
2. Add the flour and salt and stir into a shaggy dough. Knead 6 to 8 minutes on a floured counter until smooth and slightly tacky.
3. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Roll the dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread with soft butter and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 rolls. Arrange in a greased 9x13-inch pan, cover and let rise 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 350°F for 22 to 26 minutes, until golden. Beat the icing ingredients until smooth and spread over the warm rolls.

Why this recipe works

An enriched dough with milk, butter and egg bakes up soft and tender. Very soft butter in the filling melts into a gooey layer, and the cream cheese icing adds tang to balance the sweetness.

Tips, substitutions & storage

• Swap: Use active dry yeast instead of instant: bloom it in the warm milk for 10 minutes and allow a little longer to rise.
• Swap: No cream cheese? Make a simple glaze with 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 3 tbsp milk.
• Milk that is too hot can kill the yeast — it should feel warm, not hot, on your wrist.
• Cut rolls cleanly with unflavored dental floss instead of a knife.
• Make ahead: after shaping, cover and refrigerate overnight, then let sit 45 minutes before baking.
• Store iced rolls covered at room temperature for 2 days; warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

Calories

410

Protein

6g

Carbs

58g

Fat

18g

Fiber

1g

Sugar

30g

Sodium

280mg

Nutrition information is an automatic estimate based on typical ingredients and will vary with the brands and amounts you use. It is not medical or dietary advice.