If you’re anything like me, you love the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home.
There’s something truly magical about biting into a soft, gooey roll, with the perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar, and buttery goodness. It’s one of those treats that can make any morning special or add a touch of sweetness to your afternoon tea.
Whether you’re planning a cozy brunch with friends or simply indulging in some well-deserved self-care, cinnamon rolls are always a good idea. In this recipe, I’ll guide you through making the softest, fluffiest cinnamon rolls from scratch. Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think! Plus, they come with a creamy glaze that’s irresistible.
So, grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get baking! I promise these cinnamon rolls will become a staple in your home, just like they are in mine.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 350 grams all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cube of active yeast (1/2 pocket of active dry yeast)
- 170 grams warm milk – warm to the touch but not too hot!
- 60 grams granulated brown sugar
- 2 medium eggs – room temperature
- 60 grams unsalted butter – melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 280 grams brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon (adjust if you like more or less)
- 120 grams unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
- 200 grams cream cheese (one box)
- ½ can condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- pinch of cinnamon/vanilla/whatever you prefer
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Dough:
- First, activate the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the yeast with warm milk. The milk should be warm, not hot. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is alive and ready to work!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add in the eggs, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir until the ingredients come together to form a dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead on medium speed for about 5-6 minutes.
- Once kneaded, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is the perfect time to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee!
2. Making the Cinnamon Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, softened butter and cinnamon together. Set aside.
- When the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
- Spread the filling on the dough, if it is too solid, don’t be afraid to heat it over steam to make it perfectly spreadable.
3. Rolling and shaping the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Now for the fun part—rolling the dough! I’ll give you a little advice! It will be much easier to shape the rolls if you first cut the dough into strips and then roll each one separately.
- Place the rolls into a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one. With this batch you will get around 10-12 cinnamon rolls. Cover them again and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes until they puff up nicely.
4. Baking the Rolls:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 13-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the top and cooked through. You’ll know they’re ready when your kitchen smells like heaven!
- While the rolls are baking, you can prepare the glaze.
5. Preparing the Vanilla Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, condensed milk, and creme cheese. You want the glaze to be smooth and thick, but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
6. Glazing and serving:
- Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before drizzling the glaze all over them. The warmth from the rolls will slightly melt the glaze, creating the perfect finishing touch!
- Serve warm and enjoy. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or treating yourself, these cinnamon rolls are pure comfort in every bite.
I hope you love these cinnamon rolls as much as I do! Feel free to experiment with different fillings—like adding chopped nuts or a bit of coffee in the glaze. And don’t forget to share your creations on social media #massylicious! I’d love to see how they turn out.