The BEST Soft And Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These soft and easy cinnamon rolls are the perfect treat for any occasion. Fluffy, sweet, and filled with cinnamon goodness, they come topped with a luscious cream cheese icing that melts in your mouth. Whether for breakfast or dessert, this recipe is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup whole milk (320g)
• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 5 cups all purpose flour (650g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200g)
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g), room temperature
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g)
• 1 cup icing sugar (100g)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Microwave the milk for 20-30 seconds until warm to touch (about 100-110°F). In a bowl, whisk the warm milk with the yeast and let it rest for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the granulated sugar, flour, eggs, salt, and room temperature butter to the yeast mixture.
3. Step 3: For hand kneading: Use a wooden spoon to mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn it onto a clean surface and knead with a push-pull motion for 15 minutes until soft, smooth, and stretchy. If sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour and keep kneading until it passes the window-pane test.
4. Step 4: For stand mixer: Transfer ingredients to the mixer bowl and knead with a dough hook on medium-high speed for 7-10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with cling wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until it doubles in size and springs back partly when poked.
6. Step 6: While the dough rises, mix softened butter with cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt until spreadable. Warm slightly if needed.
7. Step 7: Line a 9×13″ baking pan with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Once risen, punch the dough down and roll it on a lightly floured surface into a 12×18″ rectangle using a rolling pin and your hands.
9. Step 9: Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
10. Step 10: Cut the dough into twelve 1″ wide strips along the 12″ side using a ruler and pizza cutter.
11. Step 11: Roll each strip tightly into a cinnamon roll and arrange them in a 4×3 formation in the baking pan.
12. Step 12: Let the rolls rest in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until puffed and slightly springy.
13. Step 13: Preheat the oven to 350°F (conventional) during the last 20 minutes of rising.
14. Step 14: Pour 1/2 cup heavy cream carefully over the rolls just before baking.
15. Step 15: Bake the rolls for 22-25 minutes until light golden and firm to the touch. Slightly underbaking is okay for a gooey texture.
16. Step 16: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
17. Step 17: Prepare the cream cheese icing by whisking together cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and icing sugar until creamy.
18. Step 18: Spread the icing generously over the warm rolls.
19. Step 19: Serve and enjoy your delicious, soft cinnamon rolls!

Tips & Variations

• Use instant yeast to skip the proofing step if desired; simply mix it with dry ingredients.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free butter and cream cheese.
• Adding a touch of vanilla extract to the icing enhances its flavor.
• The rolls can be sprinkled with chopped nuts or drizzled with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Storage

Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls without icing in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, then spread the cream cheese icing before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Just cover it tightly, then bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

How do I know when the rolls are done baking?

Look for a light golden color with a firm but slightly soft texture. Touching them should feel springy but not doughy. Underbaking slightly helps keep them gooey rather than dry.

The BEST Soft And Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 52 reviews

• Author: Julian
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

These soft and easy cinnamon rolls are the ultimate homemade treat, featuring a tender, fluffy dough filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar butter filling and topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these rolls are baked to a light golden perfection and offer a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture that will delight family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 1/3 cup whole milk (320g)
• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 5 cups all purpose flour (650g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)

Filling

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200g)
• 2 tbsp cinnamon powder
• 3/4 tsp salt

Baking Addition

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g), room temperature

Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g)
• 1 cup icing sugar (100g)

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast: Microwave the milk for 20-30 seconds until warm to the touch (around 100-110°F). Add the milk to a bowl with yeast, whisk and allow to rest for 10 minutes or until mixture looks foamy.
2. Combine dough ingredients: Add sugar, flour, eggs, salt, and room temperature butter to the yeast mixture.
3. Knead the dough by hand: Mix ingredients with a large wooden spoon into a shaggy dough. Transfer to a clean surface and knead using a push-pull motion for 15 minutes. The dough will start sticky but should become soft, smooth, and stretchy. Add only 1-2 tbsp flour if still sticky after 5 minutes. The dough should pass the window-pane test.
4. Alternatively knead with stand mixer: Use the dough hook attachment on medium-high speed for 7-10 minutes until dough is smooth, stretchy, and pulls away from bowl edges.
5. First proofing: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with cling wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size and springs back partially when gently poked.
6. Prepare filling: While dough rises, mix softened butter with cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt. Microwave briefly if needed to reach spreadable consistency.
7. Prepare baking pan: Line a 9×13″ baking pan with parchment paper.
8. Roll out dough: Punch down risen dough and transfer to a floured surface. Roll out to a 12×18″ rectangle using light pressure.
9. Spread filling: Evenly spread the prepared cinnamon filling over dough surface.
10. Cut and roll: Cut dough into 12 strips (1″ wide, 18″ long) using a ruler and pizza cutter. Roll each strip tightly into cinnamon rolls and place in baking pan in a 4×3 arrangement.
11. Second proofing: Let rolls rest in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until puffed up and slightly springs back when poked.
12. Preheat oven: During last 20 minutes of rising, preheat oven to 350°F (conventional, no fan).
13. Add cream: Just before baking, carefully pour 1/2 cup heavy cream over the rolls to soak in during baking.
14. Bake rolls: Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until light golden and firm to touch. Slight underbaking is preferred for gooey texture.
15. Cool rolls: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
16. Make cream cheese icing: Whisk together cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and icing sugar until smooth and creamy.
17. Frost rolls: Spread cream cheese icing generously onto warm rolls.
18. Serve: Serve warm and enjoy the soft, sweet cinnamon rolls.

Notes

• For best results, use room temperature eggs and butter when making the dough.
• Kneading by hand may take longer but gives great texture; a stand mixer can speed up the process.
• Rolling the dough carefully is important to maintain the soft texture of the rolls.
• Pouring heavy cream over rolls before baking ensures moistness and richness.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly in the filling.
• Use parchment paper in the baking pan to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
• Allow rolls to cool slightly before icing to prevent melting of the cream cheese glaze.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, soft cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls, breakfast pastries, sweet rolls, cream cheese icing