There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home. These delightful pastries are a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. With a soft, pillowy dough, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a luscious cream cheese frosting, cinnamon rolls are a beloved classic that never goes out of style. Making them from scratch might seem daunting, but with this step-by-step recipe, you’ll be able to create bakery-quality cinnamon rolls in your own kitchen.
Ingredients (for 12 servings):
Dough:
- 2 cups whole milk (480 mL), warm to the touch
- ½ cup sugar (100 g)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 5 cups all-purpose flour (625 g), divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Filling:
- ¾ cup light brown sugar (165 g)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (115 g), softened and cubed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g)
Preparation:
- Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and melted butter. Ensure the mixture is between 100-110°F (37-43°C).
- Sprinkle the yeast evenly over the milk mixture, stir, and let sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast has bloomed.
- Add 4 cups (500 g) of flour to the milk mixture and stir until just combined. Cover the bowl and let rise for 1 hour, until nearly doubled in size.
- Generously butter two 9-inch (23 cm) round baking pans and set aside.
- Make the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Dough:
- Remove the cover from the dough and add the remaining cup of flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir well, then knead on a clean surface for at least 10 minutes until smooth and springy.
- Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about ½-inch (1 cm) thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough into a log, starting from one short end, and pinch the seam closed. Cut the log into evenly sized pieces, about 1½ inches (8 cm) thick, and place in the prepared pans. Let rise for 35-45 minutes.
- Bake the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Make the Frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, whisk together the cream cheese, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.
- Serve:
- Let the cinnamon rolls cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with the frosting.
Conclusion:
With this recipe, you can enjoy the comforting, sweet, and spicy flavors of homemade cinnamon rolls. The process of making these rolls from scratch is rewarding, and the result is a batch of delicious, tender pastries that will impress anyone lucky enough to taste them. Whether served warm with a cup of coffee in the morning or as a sweet treat in the afternoon, these cinnamon rolls are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.