Cinnamon rolls are a delicious treat loved for their soft, fluffy texture and sweet, spicy flavor. It's not as hard as you might think to make them at home!
Here’s a simple guide to help you create perfect cinnamon rolls from scratch.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
• Milk: ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
• Yeast: 2 ¼ teaspoons quick rise or active dry yeast
• Sugar: ¼ cup granulated sugar
• Eggs: 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• Butter: ¼ cup melted butter (salted or unsalted)
• Flour: 3 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
• Salt: ¾ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
• Brown Sugar: ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
• Cinnamon: 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• Butter: ¼ cup softened butter
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• Cream Cheese: 4 oz softened cream cheese
• Butter: 3 tablespoons softened butter
• Powdered Sugar: ¾ cup
• Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
1. Activate Yeast: Combine the yeast and warm milk in a small basin. Let it sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix Ingredients: Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a big bowl. Add melted butter, yeast mixture, egg, and egg yolk. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Place dough on a floured surface and knead for about 5-10 minutes until smooth. If sticky, add more flour.
4. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
1. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle (14x9 inches).
3. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
1. Roll up the dough tightly from one long side into a log.
2. Cut into pieces about 1 to 1½ inches thick and place in a greased baking pan.
Step 4: Second Rise
1. Cover the pan and let rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
Step 5: Bake
1. Bake rolls for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
2. Let cool slightly while making frosting.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Step 7: Frost and Serve
Spread frosting over warm rolls and enjoy your homemade cinnamon rolls! With these simple steps, you can create tasty cinnamon rolls perfect for any occasion!
