Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

 

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F-115°F)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

• In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
• Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until smooth.
• Gradually add the remaining flour and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms.
• On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

Prepare the Filling and Assemble:

• After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16x21-inch rectangle.
• Spread the softened butter over the dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the buttered dough.
• Starting with one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Slice the log into 12 even rolls.
• Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Cover and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.

Bake the Cinnamon Rolls:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once risen, bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until creamy.

Frost and Serve:

• Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls.
• Enjoy these delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, indulging in the sweet, aromatic, and perfectly gooey treat!

Savor these irresistible cinnamon rolls warm, straight from the oven, for a delightful breakfast or snack. Adjust the frosting's sweetness to your liking by altering the powdered sugar quantity.