Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
User Reviews
5
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Description
This cinnamon roll recipe starts by combining flour, rapid-rise yeast, sugar, and salt, then mixing in warm milk and butter along with an egg to form a dough. After kneading and a short rise, the dough is rolled out and spread with softened butter, topped with a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. The dough is carefully rolled into a log and sliced into individual rolls placed in a buttered pan.
After baking at 350°F, the rolls develop a soft crumb and golden crust. The frosting blends butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and milk (or cream) for a creamy topping applied after baking. The icing can be adapted to be thicker or lighter depending on preference.
Finishing with a generously frosted top, these cinnamon rolls have a tender, sweet, and buttery texture ideal for breakfast or dessert.
The dough rises relatively quickly due to rapid-rise yeast, and the pan buttering technique improves the rolls' texture and final appearance. Milk warming temperature is important to activate yeast without killing it. The icing makes a large batch and can be adjusted for amount or consistency by changing quantity or warming slightly.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 2 packets Rapid Rise Yeast or instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 6 tablespoons butter chilled, cut into tablespoons
- 1 egg large
For the Filling
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
For the Icing
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 4-6 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, as needed
- salt pinch
Instructions
Prepare the dough
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. (see note)
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) stir together 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- In a glass/liquid measuring cup combine milk and butter and microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each, until butter is mostly melted and milk is very warm. (see note) Add milk mixture and egg to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Mix in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead for 5 minutes, then transfer to a lightly greased bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise for 10 minutes.
Make the Cinnamon Rolls
- Roll dough into a large rectangle (about 15x12 inches) and rub softened butter all over the top of the dough.
- Stir together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over butter, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges bare.
- Tightly (but gently) roll the dough from one long side toward the other. Pinch the seam to seal off the length of the dough.
- Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut into 12 equal-size pieces. Place each cut-side down in your prepared baking pan.
- Cover tightly and let rise in a warm dry place for 30 minutes.
- Uncover, bake on center rack for 30-35 minutes until golden brown on the top. Allow to cool slightly before frosting.
Prepare the Icing
- In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, continue to stir for 2-3 minutes longer until color changes from pale yellow to deep golden. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl cream together the browned butter, cream cheese, and vanilla.
- Alternate mixing in 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until icing is smooth and fluffy. Mix in a pinch of salt for added richness, then spread over cinnamon rolls.
- Serve immediately or cover tightly and store at room temperature up to three days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Notes
- Butter the pan thoroughly with softened butter for the best texture and richness; nonstick spray can be used but buttering is preferred.
- Warm the milk to very warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- The icing recipe yields a generous amount for thick frosting; to reduce, halve the recipe or warm the icing to create a glaze.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12cinnamon rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 617 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 617kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 138g | 46% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 261mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 169mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 96g | 192% |
| Vitamin A | 178IU | 4% |
| Calcium | 102mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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