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The BEST Soft And Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 52 reviews
  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

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

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Find it online: https://juliandempsey.com/the-best-soft-and-easy-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/