Cinnamon rolls—warm, soft, and dripping with creamy cream cheese icing. These sweet rolls are a breakfast or dessert dream come true! With a perfectly fluffy dough, spiced cinnamon sugar filling, and a luscious cream cheese icing, every bite is an indulgent treat you won’t be able to resist. Whether you’re making them for a cozy weekend breakfast or for a special occasion, these homemade cinnamon rolls are sure to wow everyone at the table.
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Rolls✔ Soft & Fluffy – The dough rises beautifully, creating melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls.✔ Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Filling – The sweet and spicy filling oozes out with each bite, making these rolls absolutely irresistible.✔ Cream Cheese Icing – Smooth, tangy, and sweet—this icing takes these rolls to the next level.✔ Perfect for Any Occasion – Ideal for lazy mornings, holiday breakfasts, or a weekend treat with family.
Ingredients
Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk about 110°F
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Filling
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk to reach desired consistency
Instructions
Activate the yeast
- In a bowl, mix warm milk and granulated sugar.
- Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy. This means your yeast is ready to work its magic!
Make the dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, egg, and melted butter. Slowly add in the flour and salt,
- mixing until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Let the dough rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. Patience is key here—this rise makes the rolls soft and airy!
Prepare the filling
- While the dough is rising, make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Stir until it’s a smooth, spreadable paste.
Roll out the dough
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
- Roll the dough out into a 12x18-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, making sure every corner is covered.
Roll and slice
- Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal slices using a sharp knife or dental floss (this ensures the rolls stay neat and even).
Second rise
- Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure they’re close together.
- Cover the dish and let the rolls rise for 30 minutes, or until they puff up.
Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 18-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. K
- eep an eye on them toward the end to ensure they don’t over-brown.
Make the cream cheese icing
- While the rolls are baking, make the cream cheese icing. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract,
- mixing until well combined. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired icing consistency—smooth and pourable.
Ice and serve
- Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes.
- Generously drizzle the cream cheese icing over the rolls while they’re still warm. The icing will melt into the crevices, creating an irresistible glaze.
Video
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
✔ Don’t skip the second rise – This step is what gives the rolls their fluffy, pillowy texture.
✔ Use softened butter – For the filling, the butter should be soft to spread easily and melt into the dough.
✔ Warm milk – Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast!
✔ Keep an eye on baking time – Every oven is different, so check the rolls around 18 minutes to avoid over-baking. ⸻ These cinnamon rolls are pure comfort in a bite—soft, sweet, and smothered in creamy icing. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee or as a sweet evening treat, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Get ready to indulge! Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments or tag me on social media!
✔ Use softened butter – For the filling, the butter should be soft to spread easily and melt into the dough.
✔ Warm milk – Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast!
✔ Keep an eye on baking time – Every oven is different, so check the rolls around 18 minutes to avoid over-baking. ⸻ These cinnamon rolls are pure comfort in a bite—soft, sweet, and smothered in creamy icing. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee or as a sweet evening treat, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Get ready to indulge! Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments or tag me on social media!
Thank you for sharing!