Description
Homemade cinnamon rolls bring warm comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending sweet spices with buttery dough. Rich, gooey layers promise delightful indulgence that wraps you in nostalgic memories of fresh-baked goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 cup warm milk (237 milliliters)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Yeast and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Sweeteners and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Awaken the yeast by gently warming milk to 100-110F in short microwave bursts. Ensure the milk feels comfortably warm, not scalding. Sprinkle active dry yeast over the liquid and let it bloom for 5 minutes until frothy and alive.
- Incorporate sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla into the yeast mixture. Blend thoroughly. Gradually introduce bread flour and salt, mixing at low speed until the dough coheres. Elevate to medium speed, kneading for 5-7 minutes until the texture becomes smooth and supple.
- Transfer the dough to a generously greased vessel, shield with plastic wrap, and allow it to rest in a cozy environment for 1-2 hours until it dramatically expands.
- Craft the filling by combining brown sugar and cinnamon. Melt butter and reserve for later use.
- After the dough doubles, deflate and spread onto a floured surface. Stretch into a expansive 16×24 inch rectangle. Lavish the surface with melted butter, then dust evenly with the cinnamon-sugar blend, leaving a narrow border along one edge.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, creating a compact log. Seal the seam securely. Slice into 12 uniform sections using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Nestle the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch pan, allowing slight separation. Cover and permit a secondary rise for 30-45 minutes until they become puffy and nearly doubled.
- Heat the oven to 350F. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops transform into a rich golden hue.
- While baking, whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Introduce vanilla and milk, then gradually fold in powdered sugar until achieving a smooth consistency.
- Let rolls cool briefly, then generously spread the luscious frosting. Serve warm and savor the indulgence.
Notes
- Always use fresh, active dry yeast to ensure the dough rises perfectly and develops a light, fluffy texture.
- Maintain precise milk temperature between 100-110F to activate yeast without killing it, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a soft and stretchy consistency that helps rolls rise beautifully.
- For extra moisture, cover rising dough with a damp cloth to prevent surface from drying out and cracking.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so let eggs, butter, and cream cheese sit out 30 minutes before mixing.
- Cutting rolls with unflavored dental floss prevents squishing the delicate dough, resulting in cleaner, more uniform slices.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg