Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls

Bake, Breakfast, Family Friendly
Servings  10-12       Calories  Approx. 300-350 calories per roll       Serving Size  1 roll
Total Time  1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours       Prep Time  20 minutes (not including dough rising time)       Cook Time  20-30 minutes
Equipment Needed

Stand mixer with whisk and dough hook attachments

9×13 baking dish

Knife or pizza cutter

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1 packet instant dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
  • 2 large room-temperature eggs
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour, plus 1/2 cup (reserve extra flour for kneading)
  • 1/2 cup warm heavy cream (for later use)

 

Filling:

  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon

 

Frosting:

  • 6 oz softened cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup softened butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
Directions

Prepare the Dough:

  1. Preheat oven to the lowest setting (usually around 170°F). Once heated, turn off the oven before placing the dough in it for rising.
  2. In the stand mixer bowl, add warm milk. Sprinkle yeast over the milk and let sit for 3-4 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
  3. Add the eggs, butter, and sugar to the milk mixture. Mix with the whisk attachment until fully combined.
    Add salt and 4 cups of flour. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the flour to soak up the liquids.
  4. Replace the whisk attachment with the dough hook. Knead on medium speed for 5-7 minutes. The dough should be tacky but pull away from the sides and stick slightly to the bottom. If needed, add small amounts of flour to reach the desired consistency. The dough should be smooth, elastic, and able to climb the dough hook. Avoid adding too much flour.

 

First Rise:

  1. Grease a glass bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with a thin towel and place in the warm oven.
  2. Let rise for 30 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t rise much longer than this.

 

Prepare the Filling:

  1. While the dough is rising, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Stir until well combined.

 

Shape and Roll the Dough:

  1. Once the dough has risen, roll it out onto a floured surface into a rectangle about 24×15 inches, approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  2. Slice off the edges to make a neat rectangle if needed. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, saving a small amount of filling if you have extra dough to roll and create more slices.
  3. Roll the dough tightly from one side to the other. Slice into 12-15 rolls using a knife or pizza cutter.

 

Second Rise:

  1. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish, spaced evenly apart.
  2. Cover and let rise for another 20 minutes (do not allow to rise in oven while preheating).

 

Bake:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Once the rolls have finished rising, pour the warm heavy cream evenly over them.
  3. Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven. The rolls should be golden brown. If they’re browning too quickly but are still not fully baked, loosely cover with foil and continue baking, checking frequently.

 

Prepare the Frosting:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
  2. Beat until smooth.

 

Frost and Serve:

  1. Once the rolls are finished baking, remove them from the oven.
  2. Spread the frosting evenly over the warm rolls and serve immediately!
Notes
  1. Yeast Activation: Be sure to use warm milk (around 100°F) to activate the yeast. If the milk is too hot, it can kill the yeast. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate properly.
  2. Flour Adjustment: If the dough is too sticky during the kneading process, add a little flour at a time (about a tablespoon) to achieve the right consistency. Just be cautious not to add too much, as it can make the dough too dry.
  3. Second Rise Tip: If you don’t have a warm oven to rise the dough in, you can place the dough in a warm spot in your kitchen, or place a bowl of warm water in the oven alongside the dough. Just make sure the water isn’t hot.
  4. Freezing Option: You can freeze the rolls before baking! After slicing them, place them in a greased baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready to bake, let them thaw for 30 minutes to an hour and then follow the second rise and baking instructions.
  5. Heavy Cream Tip: Pouring warm heavy cream over the rolls before baking makes them extra soft and gives them a rich texture. Make sure the cream is warmed, but not hot, when you pour it over.
  6. Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, you can thin it with a little milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  7. Toppings: For a fun twist, you can add a sprinkle of chopped nuts (like pecans) or a drizzle of caramel sauce over the frosting before serving.
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