🌀🍥 Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
🧾 Ingredients:
For the dough:
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1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
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2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
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1/3 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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4 – 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
For the filling:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
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Optional: pinch of nutmeg
For the cream cheese frosting:
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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1–2 tbsp milk (to thin, if needed)
🔪 Instructions:
1. Make the dough:
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In a bowl, whisk warm milk and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Add sugar, eggs, and softened butter. Mix until combined.
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Add 4 cups flour and salt. Mix (by hand or with dough hook) until a sticky dough forms.
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Knead for 8–10 minutes, adding more flour if needed, until dough is soft and elastic.
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Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the filling:
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Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
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Keep softened butter separate for spreading.
3. Roll and fill:
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Punch down dough and roll out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 16×12″).
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Spread butter evenly over the dough.
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Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture all over the butter.
4. Roll up and cut:
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Roll the dough tightly from the long side.
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Cut into 12 even rolls using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss.
5. Second rise:
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Place rolls in a greased 9×13″ baking dish or pan.
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Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
6. Bake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
7. Make the frosting:
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Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
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Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until creamy.
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Add milk to adjust consistency if needed.
8. Frost & serve:
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Spread the frosting over warm rolls (right out of the oven for melty, gooey frosting — or wait a bit if you want it to stay thick).
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Enjoy warm!
🧁 Make-Ahead Option:
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Prepare the rolls and do the second rise overnight in the fridge.
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Let sit at room temperature 30–45 minutes before baking.
Would you like a quick 1-hour version, a no-yeast option, or a vegan cinnamon roll recipe?
