These cinnamon rolls are light and fluffy with the best cream cheese frosting that just pairs perfectly with it. You can enjoy this same day or stick them in the refrigerator for an easy breakfast the next day.
What makes them so special? The bread is just fluffy and decadent, almost melts in your mouth. They’re delicious and just make the most perfect breakfast, especially for those holidays where you don’t want to wake up early and whip up a breakfast for that large group of people, or just your little family. You can make them the night before, after everything has calmed down and pop them in the refrigerator to enjoy the next day.
These rolls truly don’t require a lot of ingredients, and they’re all you most likely have on hand in the first place. The main ingredient as in everything is love, and patience. You can’t rush things, nor can you get upset when something isn’t going just the way you thought it would. So, be patient and just keep going, and it will turn out just fine. So let’s jump to the other ingredients needed to make these rolls.
- Water- This will be warm enough to soften the butter to help achieve the fluffy roll you are looking for.
- Granulated sugar- This is used to help sweeten the rolls, and to activate the dry yeast you’ll be using.
- Active Dry Yeast- Using yeast will help your rolls rise and double in size and able to soak up all the flavor.
- Flour– All-purpose flour is what is used for these rolls. If you wish to substitute with bread flour, you are more than welcome to.
- Salt-This is essential is just about everything you bake. It helps bring out that cinnamon flavor.
- Butter- This is needed for the dough, filling, and frosting. Unsalted is the way to go, but if all you have is salted, you can use that as well. Butter helps the flour get the fluffy texture we’re looking for. It is also used to help stick the filling to the dough and get that creamy texture for the frosting on top.
- Egg-Used to help with the texture and consistency of the roll.
- Vanilla-Used for the dough, as well as the topping. Adds that little flavor in the frosting
- Brown sugar– If you love that deep molasses flavor then definitely aim for dark sugar, but if light is all you have, then it will work well.
- Cinnamon– It’s in the name, you truly can’t go without it. And let’s be honest, YUM.
- Cream Cheese- Who doesn’t love that creamy, soft texture in a frosting.
How to make the best cinnamon rolls
Don’t melt your butter completely when microwaving-You want your water to be warm enough to active the yeast and that needs to be between 105-115 degrees, but you don’t want your butter to be completely melted as you want to work it into the dough. It’s helpful to have a baking thermometer on hand for temping correctly. This will help you get those light fluffy cinnamon rolls. If you wish to warm the water first to temp, and then add in the butter to soften it, then you can do that as well.
Use room temperature butter for filling- You will want your butter to come to room temperature before spreading it on your dough. Your hands will help warm up the butter as you’re spreading. Using softened butter will help the sugar mixture to stay on the dough, and not leak out when you roll up the dough. If you use melted butter, it will be fine, just a little messier than normal, it might make cutting the rolls a little more difficult as well.
Rub in filling- As easy as it is to just sprinkle the filling onto the softened butter on dough, don’t just stop there. Using your hands still, or a soft spatula, pat down the filling into the butter as it will help soak it up into the dough and once again stops it from falling out.
Tools to help you make rolls
Stand mixer– If you have a stand mixture, use your dough attachment. Otherwise, I’ve been making these rolls kneading by hands and have had no problem.
Wooden Spoon- These are the only spoons I use for baking, and highly recommend them.
Rolling Pin- This will definitely make it easier to get that even 9×13 shape you’re looking for. If you don’t have one, I would use something long and round shaped.
Sharp knife OR flavorless floss– You’ll want to make sure you have a well sharpened knife to cut your rolls, it helps slice through them and not tear the dough. Flavorless dental floss also works well.
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
These ooey gooey cinnamon rolls are a delicious way to start your day. Once you make them, it will be hard to resist.
Ingredients
Dough
Filling
Frosting
Instructions
- In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
- In microwave safe bowl, combine water and cut 4 tablespoons of butter. Microwave just until the water is warm, and butter is slightly melted. 30-45 seconds.
- Pour wet mixture into your large bowl of flour and mix with wooden spoon. Once mixed, add in egg.
- Add one cup of flour at a time and mix until incorporated. Your dough will start to get shaggy at this point, so you will want to flour you surface and transfer dough onto it. You will want to knead it until it becomes a smooth mass. Usually 5-7 minutes
- Place dough in oiled bowl and cover with saran wrap or tea towel and place on counter to let rise for 15-20 minutes. This is just enough for the dough to puff up in size, but not double.
- Lightly flour your surface and roll out your dough. You’ll want it in a rectangle roughly the size of a 9×13
- Mix your filling in a small bowl. Then spread-out softened butter on top of dough, and sprinkle with filling. Pat down to help let it soak up.
- Roll your dough lengthwise into a log. Squeeze the ends as it may lose its shape some. Place seam side down. If you wish, you can cut off the ends to make all slices even.
- Now to cut your rolls. To achieve even rolls, cut your log in half. Then half your two logs. And then half again. This will create four logs that you will cut into three pieces each. You will end up with 12 rolls.
- Butter or lightly spray your 9×13 baking dish and place rolls in dish. Cover and let sit warm spot to let rise for one hour. They should double in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or just until they achieve that light golden color on top.
- While rolls are cooling, combine all frosting ingredients in small bowl and mix until well combined. Spread on top of rolls and enjoy.
Notes
- If you notice your rolls are getting dry after a day or two, place a piece of bread in the dish with them. This will help keep them soft.
- To make these the next day, before the second rise and after the rolls are cut. Cover dish with wrap and place in fridge for next day baking.
