Introduction
Cinnamon Rolls are a beloved breakfast treat known for their soft, fluffy dough swirled with a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with a tangy cream cheese glaze, perfect for brunch, holidays, or cozy mornings. These indulgent rolls combine warm spices with a gooey, buttery center, offering a comforting, crowd-pleasing dessert or snack. Their aesthetic appeal shines through golden, spiraled rolls glistening with glaze, served on a white ceramic platter, lightly dusted with cinnamon for a warm, inviting look. This recipe delivers a classic Cinnamon Roll, adaptable for dietary preferences, best served warm for a tender, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (as needed)
For Serving:
- Optional: Ground cinnamon or chopped pecans (for garnish)
- Suggested Accompaniments: Fresh fruit or yogurt
- Suggested Pairings: Coffee, tea, or iced coffee
- Suggested Aesthetic: Serve on a white ceramic platter for a cozy look
- Suggested Equipment: 9×13-inch baking dish, rolling pin, stand mixer (optional)
Step-by-Step Process
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tsp sugar (from the 1/4 cup), and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer with a dough hook, combine 3 1/2 cups flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until a soft dough forms, adding 1/2 cup flour if sticky. Knead by hand for 8-10 minutes or with a mixer for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place (80-85°F) for 1-1.5 hours until doubled size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Keep softened butter separate.
- Shape Rolls: Punch down dough and roll into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over butter. Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Cut into 12 equal slices (about 1.5 inches each).
- Second Rise: Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Make Glaze: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and 1 tbsp milk. Beat until creamy, adding more milk for a pourable consistency.
- Serve: Spread or drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or pecans. Serve on a white ceramic platter with coffee and fresh fruit for a cozy aesthetic.
Tips for Better Cinnamon Rolls
- Warm milk to 110°F for yeast activation; too hot kills yeast, too cold slows rising.
- Knead dough until smooth and slightly tacky; over-kneading makes rolls tough.
- Roll dough evenly to ensure uniform rolls; use a ruler for precision.
- Spread butter thinly to avoid leakage during baking; press sugar mixture gently to adhere.
- Cut rolls with dental floss or a sharp knife for clean slices without squishing.
- Bake until just golden; overbaking dries out rolls.
- Glaze while warm for a glossy finish, but let rolls cool slightly to avoid melting.
- Enhance aesthetic: Arrange rolls snugly in the dish for a uniform spiral look and drizzle glaze in a zigzag pattern for a polished, inviting presentation.
Variations and Customization
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and replace eggs with 1/4 cup applesauce per egg; use vegan cream cheese for glaze.
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp xanthan gum if not in the blend.
- Nutty Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
- Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice to the filling and 1/4 cup pumpkin puree to the dough.
- Maple Cinnamon Rolls: Replace 1/4 cup brown sugar with maple syrup in the filling and add 1 tbsp maple syrup to the glaze.
- Mini Cinnamon Rolls: Roll dough into a 9×12-inch rectangle and cut into 24 smaller rolls; bake in two 8×8-inch pans for 15-18 minutes.
- Orange Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1 tbsp orange zest to the glaze and 1/4 cup dried cranberries to the filling.
- Savory Cinnamon Rolls: Reduce sugar in filling to 1/4 cup, omit glaze, and add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and 1 tsp garlic powder to the filling.
Storage and Serving Tips
- Store unglazed rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days; reheat before glazing.
- Store glazed rolls in the fridge for up to 3 days; warm in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Freeze unbaked rolls after shaping in the pan, wrapped tightly, for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge overnight, let rise, and bake.
- Freeze baked, unglazed rolls for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature, warm, and glaze.
- Serve warm for the best soft, gooey texture; cold rolls are denser.
- Use leftovers as a French toast or bread pudding base.
- Avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent spoilage.
- Present on a white ceramic platter to highlight the spirals; garnish with a cinnamon dusting for a warm, cozy vibe.
Nutritional Information
Based on 12 servings (1 roll each, with glaze):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 60g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 34g
- Protein: 6g
- Vitamin A: 12% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 0% Daily Value
- Calcium: 8% Daily Value
- Iron: 10% Daily Value
Note: Nutritional values vary based on ingredient brands. This dish is high in calories and sugar from the glaze and filling, with moderate fat from butter and cream cheese. For dietary needs, try vegan or gluten-free variations. Pair with light sides for balance.
Conclusion
This Cinnamon Rolls recipe delivers a soft, gooey treat that’s perfect for brunch or special mornings, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting classic. Its hands-on preparation and warm presentation make it a favorite for home bakers. The fluffy dough and sweet glaze, accented with cozy garnishes, create a delightful combination. This recipe is sure to become a cherished staple, loved for its warm flavors and inviting aesthetic.
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: Soft and Gooey
Soft cinnamon rolls with gooey filling and cream cheese glaze.
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg optional
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- Optional: Cinnamon pecans
- Suggested Pairings: Coffee fruit
Instructions
- Mix warm milk, 1 tsp sugar, and yeast; let foam 5-10 min.
- Combine 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt; add yeast mix, butter, eggs, vanilla. Knead 8-10 min, adding flour if needed.
- Let the dough rise 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Roll dough to 12x18 inches; spread butter, sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Roll and cut into 12 slices.
- Place in 9x13-inch dish; rise 30-45 min. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake 20-25 min.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for glaze; spread over warm rolls.
- Garnish with cinnamon; serve on a platter with coffee, fruit.
Notes
- Warm milk to 110°F.
- Store in fridge 3 days, freeze 2 months.
- Try a vegan variation.
- Pair with tea.
