Step By Step Guide To Irresistible Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Icing

To prepare cinnamon rolls, combine flour, yeast, and warm milk to create a soft dough, then let it rise. After mixing softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling, spread it over the rolled-out dough. Cut into slices and allow to rise again before baking until golden. Finish with cream cheese icing for a delicious treat. These rolls are fluffy, sweet, and perfect for sharing. Enjoy them fresh from the oven.

To make delicious cinnamon rolls, start by preparing the dough with flour, yeast, sugar, milk, butter, egg, and salt. Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm milk and sugar, then combine all ingredients to form a smooth dough. Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size. Next, prepare a cinnamon filling with softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll out the dough, spread the filling, and cut it into slices. Place the slices in a greased baking dish and let them rise again. Bake until golden brown, then top with cream cheese icing made from cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Enjoy these warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:
  • 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ tsp salt
• For the Filling:
  • ½ cup softened butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• For the Cream Cheese Icing:
  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tbsp butter (softened)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk (optional, for consistency)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

• Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and the egg. Stir until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

• While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it forms a smooth paste.

Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
• Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16×12 inches. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 4: Shape the Rolls

• Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
• Cut the log into 12 even slices (use dental floss or a sharp knife for clean cuts). Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving some space between them for rising.
• Cover the dish with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise again for about 30-40 minutes, until they puff up.

Step 5: Bake the Cinnamon Rolls

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

• While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (if using) until smooth and creamy.
• Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese icing generously over the top.

Enjoy

These cinnamon rolls are soft, buttery, and rich with cinnamon flavor. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!