Go Back
Single cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting melting into swirled layers on white plate on dark wood

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Enriched yeast dough cinnamon rolls with a caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon butter filling, baked until deeply golden, and finished with a generous cream cheese frosting while still warm. Makes 12 large rolls. Overnight method available.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rest Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12 cinnamon rolls
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 600g (about 4 3/4 cups) all-purpose or bread flour, spooned and leveled, plus extra for dusting
  • 7g (1 packet, 2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
  • 75g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 240ml (1 cup) whole milk, warmed to 38 to 43°C
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 85g (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Filling
  • 115g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened (not melted)
  • 200g (1 cup packed) light brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 115g (4 oz) full-fat block cream cheese, fully softened
  • 60g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 240g (2 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • Pinch of fine salt

Equipment

  • stand mixer with dough hook
  • mixing bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • serrated knife
  • thermometer
  • Offset spatula

Method
 

  1. Whisk flour, yeast, sugar, and salt together in a stand mixer bowl. Combine warm milk, eggs, vanilla, and softened butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix on low with dough hook for 2 minutes until combined, then knead on medium for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
  2. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 60 to 90 minutes until doubled in volume. A finger pressed 2cm into the dough should leave an indention that fills slowly.
  3. Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a thick spreadable paste for the filling.
  4. Turn risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 45x35cm (18x14-inch) rectangle, 6mm thick. Spread cinnamon filling evenly to the edges, leaving a 1.5cm border on the far long edge.
  5. Roll the dough tightly from the near long edge toward the far edge. Pinch the seam firmly. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss. Arrange cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish with small gaps between each roll.
  6. Cover and let rolls proof for 30 to 45 minutes until visibly puffed and touching. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
  7. Bake 22 to 26 minutes until tops are deep golden-brown and the center roll reads 88°C (190°F) internally. Cool in the dish for 10 minutes before frosting.
  8. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar in two additions, then vanilla and salt. Add milk to reach a thick, flowing consistency. Spread generously over the warm rolls.

Notes

  • Check milk temperature with a thermometer: above 49°C kills the yeast.
  • Use softened, not melted, butter for both the dough and the filling; melted butter produces different and inferior results in both.
  • For overnight rolls: refrigerate the shaped rolls in the covered dish overnight; remove and proof at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes before baking.
  • Use full-fat block cream cheese only for the frosting; tub-style cream cheese produces a runny, unstable frosting.