Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

For the dough:

2¾ cups (344 g) all-purpose flour

¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

½ tsp salt

¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk

3 Tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter

2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 standard packet)

1 large egg, at room temperature

For the filling:

3 Tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, very soft

⅓ cup (67 g) packed light or dark brown sugar

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

For the cream cheese icing:

4 oz (113 g) cream cheese

2 Tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter, softened

⅔ cup (80 g) icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

In a separate, heatproof bowl, heat the milk and butter (microwave or stove) until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm to the touch (about 110°F / 43°C).

Whisk in the yeast until it dissolves.

Pour the warm milk/butter/yeast mixture into the flour mixture.

Add the egg and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula (or mixer) until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

Knead for 3-5 minutes, until smooth and soft. (Add a little more flour if the dough is very sticky).

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rest for about 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.

2. Make the Filling and Bake the Rolls

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.

Roll the rested dough into a rectangle about 14 x 8 inches (36 x 20 cm).

Spread the very soft butter for the filling evenly over the dough.

Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.

Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly into a 14-inch log.

Cut into 10-12 equal rolls and place them in a greased 9-10 inch round or square pan.

Cover the pan and let the rolls rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until puffy and almost doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Bake for 24-27 minutes, until golden on top. (If they brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil and keep baking).

Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. 

3. Make the Cream Cheese Icing

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.

Add the butter and beat until well combined.

Add the icing sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy and spreadable.

4. Ice and Serve

Spread the icing over the rolls and serve!

Adapted from Easy Cinnamon Rolls by Sally McKenney on the website (sallysbakingaddiction.com).