YESSS 😍 soft, fluffy, bakery-style perfection coming right up.
These Soft & Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are pillowy, gooey, and 100% worth it.
🌀 SOFT & FLUFFY CINNAMON-WALNUT ROLLS
with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients (12 rolls)
Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk (room temp)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3–3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp salt
Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, very soft
- ¾ cup finely chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream (as needed)
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the dough
- In a large bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in egg, egg yolk, and melted butter.
- Add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic (slightly tacky is perfect).
2️⃣ First rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled.
3️⃣ Fill & roll
- Roll dough into a 14×9 inch rectangle.
- Spread soft butter evenly over dough.
- Mix brown sugar + cinnamon and sprinkle over butter.
- Scatter chopped walnuts evenly.
4️⃣ Shape the rolls
- Roll tightly from the long side.
- Cut into 12 equal rolls.
- Place in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
5️⃣ Second rise
- Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
6️⃣ Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake 22–26 minutes until lightly golden (don’t overbake!).
🧁 Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Beat until fluffy, adding milk as needed.
👉 Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts into every swirl.
✨ Pro Tips for ULTRA-FLUFFY Rolls
- Use room-temperature eggs
- Don’t add too much flour—soft dough = soft rolls
- Brush rolls with warm cream before baking for extra tenderness
- Frost while warm, not hot
🔥 Optional Upgrades
- Add maple syrup to the frosting
- Swap walnuts for pecans
- Add a pinch of cardamom to the filling
- Overnight fridge rise for morning-fresh rolls
If you want, I can give you:
- Overnight make-ahead version
- Extra gooey Cinnabon-style rolls
- Glaze instead of frosting
Just say the word 🥰🍥
