Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
User Reviews
4.9
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Description
This Easy Cinnamon Rolls recipe begins by activating instant yeast in warm milk mixed with sugar, egg, melted butter, and salt to form a rich dough. Flour is incorporated until the dough is slightly sticky yet manageable, then kneaded briefly before proofing until doubled in size. After rising, the dough is rolled into a rectangle, spread evenly with softened butter, and sprinkled with a cinnamon sugar mixture, creating a classic filling.
The dough is carefully rolled into a log, sliced into individual rolls, and baked until golden and fluffy. The texture is tender with a slight chew and a sweet, spicy center. The cinnamon and butter blend provides a comforting flavor characteristic of cinnamon rolls. Finally, a cream cheese icing—combining butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar—is spread on the warm rolls, adding a creamy tangy layer that balances the sweetness.
These cinnamon rolls are well-suited to leisurely breakfasts or sweet treats, with a rich, homemade taste derived from properly measuring and handling the dough and filling. The method advises careful flour measuring and temperature control to avoid killing the yeast.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls:
- 1 cup milk 110-115˚F), not hot, warm
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (rapid rise)
- 1 egg room temp, large
- 2 Tbsp butter melted, divided, unsalted
- 4 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 to 4 Tbsp (and more to dust, or bread flour
For the Cinnamon Roll Filling:
- 6 Tbsp butter softened, plus more to for grease pan, unsalted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 4 Tbsp butter softened, unsalted
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls:
- In a large mixing bowl (or using a stand mixer), add 1 cup warm milk (110-115˚F) and sprinkle with 1 packet instant yeast. Whisk in 1 egg, 4 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Add 3 cups flour (measured correctly*) and stir in with a firm spatula or wooden spoon. Add more flour 1 Tbsp at a time just until dough is no longer sticking to fingertips or the walls of the bowl. It should still feel slightly sticky but won’t stick to clean/dry fingertips. Knead dough by hand for 3 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm 100˚F oven for 30 minutes (or at room temp 1 hour), until doubled in size.
- Generously dust a clean work surface with flour and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Sprinkle dough lightly with flour and roll into even 17″x10″ rectangle, squaring off the sides. Dot the surface of dough with 6 Tbsp softened butter and spread it out evenly all the way to the edges.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon and sprinkle ALL OF IT evenly over buttered dough. Roll the dough up starting with one of the longer sides and work in a typewriter motion, keeping a tight roll. Once it's rolled up, push ends in slightly to make them a little more uniform then slice into 12 equal-sized rolls.
- Butter sides and bottom of a 9×13 metal baking pan with 1 Tbsp butter and arrange cinnamon rolls, evenly spaced with the cut-side down. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm 100˚F oven 20-30 minutes, (or room temp 50-60 min), until puffed. Do not proof too long.
- Brush tops with 1 Tbsp melted butter and bake at 350˚F for 20-24 mins or until tops are lightly golden. Let cool in pan 15 minutes then frost warm buns generously with the cream cheese glaze (instructions below).
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Icing:
- In a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together 4 Tbsp softened butter and 4 oz cream cheese. Beat in 1/2 Tbsp vanilla then add 1 cup powdered sugar and continue mixing on high speed until fluffy (3-4 min), scraping down the bowl as needed.
Notes
- Fluff and spoon flour into the measuring cup, then level off for accurate measurement.
- Ensure the liquid ingredients are warm, not hotter than 115°F, to protect yeast activity.
- A warm oven (around 100°F) can help dough rise but avoid higher temperatures that might kill yeast.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12cinnamon rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 494kcal | 25% |
| Carbs | 78g | |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 57mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 128mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 127mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
| Vitamin A | 543IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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