Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Deliciously soft and fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls that are generously filled with a cinnamon sugar swirl, and topped with a sweet cream cheese icing. So easy to make, yet SO delicious!

Prep Time1

Cook Time35

Rise Time1 30

Total Time3 5

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bread, cinnamon rolls, yeast bread

Servings: rolls

Calories: 677kcal

Author: Marsha

Ingredients

For the Dough

1 ½ cups (360ml) whole milk warmed to 43C/110F
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
4 ½ teaspoons (14g) dry active yeast
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter melted and cooled
2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk room temperature
6 ¼ cups (780g) bread flour
¾ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

½ cup (115g) unsalted butter partially melted
1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Topping

4 oz (113g) cream cheese softened
2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter melted
1 cup (125g) icing/powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Dough

In a large measuring jug, stir together the milk, sugar, and yeast. Set aside and allow the yeast to foam and bubble up - about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, add the milk mixture, butter, eggs, and yolk, and whisk until combined.
Add the flour and salt, and mix until a sticky dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a well floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth, elastic, and tacky. Your hand will stick to the dough when kneading, but should come off completely clean.
NOTE: If the dough gets too sticky to knead, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time onto the dough or work surface until it becomes more manageable. Do NOT add more flour than you need because this will result in dry, dense rolls.
Place the dough into a lightly greased large bowl, cover with clingfilm or a tea towel, and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 - 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
TIP: Preheat the oven to 43C/110F. Once heated, turn the oven off. Place the covered dough inside, and allow to rise in this warm environment.

For the Filling

In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, and cinnamon until combined. Set aside.
Once the dough has doubled in size, gently deflate with your fist and transfer to a lightly floured surface.
Roll out to a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick, making sure the long side is facing towards you. Slice off the edges to make a 12 x 18 inch rectangle.
Spread the filling all over the dough.
Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into twelve 1.5-inch-wide strips. Roll up each strip and place them into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
Cover with clingfilm or a tea towel, and leave to rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/350F/Gas 4.
Remove the clingfilm/tea towel and bake the rolls for 30 - 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the internal temperature of the rolls reach 88C - 93C (190F - 200F).
Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack whilst preparing the topping.

For the Topping

In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese and butter until combined.
Add the icing sugar and vanilla, and mix until smooth and combined.
Spread the icing evenly over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored, covered tightly, in the fridge for up to 5 days. Baked rolls also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. If desired, warm up before serving.

Make ahead: Cut into strips, roll up, and place into the prepared pan as instructed, then cover with clingfilm and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let the rolls rise in a warm place for 30 minutes before baking.

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