Homemade Cinnamon Roles

Serving Size: 12 Rolls

Bake Time: 20-25 minutes & Rise Time: 1 ½ - 2 hours

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 400 | Protein: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 50 g | Fat: 18 g | Sodium: 250 mg

Dough:

• ¾ cup warm Milk (about 105–110°F, approximately 30–40 seconds in the microwave)

• 1 packet or 2 tsp Instant Yeast

• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar

• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour

• 1 Egg

• 1 tsp Salt

• ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, melted

Cinnamon Filling

• ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened

• ¾ cup Brown Sugar or Granulated Sugar

• 2 tbsp Ground Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

• ¾ cup Confectioners' Sugar

• 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened

• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, softened

• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1-2 tbsp Milk, as needed

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, instant yeast, and sugar. Mix well and let sit for about 2 minutes. Add the melted butter, egg, and salt, and mix to combine. Using the dough hook on low speed, slowly add the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the ingredients come together.

Increase the mixer to medium-low speed and knead for 5–8 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly bouncy.

Check the dough: It should be slightly tacky but should not stick to your hands. When gently poked, the dough should leave a small indent that slowly springs back.

• If the dough feels too dry, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time.

• If the dough feels too wet or sticky, add 1 teaspoon of flour at a time.

• Depending on your mixer and the dough, it may reach the right consistency in as little as 2–3 minutes, so use the texture of the dough as your guide.

Shape the dough into a ball. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil and place the dough inside. Turn the dough over once so it is lightly coated in oil.

Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm area to rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Make the Filling:

While the dough is rising, combine the brown or granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Roll and Fill:

Once the dough has doubled in size, lightly flour your work surface and place the dough on top.

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into an even 12×18-inch rectangle, making sure the thickness is consistent throughout.

Spread the softened butter generously over the entire surface of the dough, going all the way to the edges. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter, covering the entire surface.

4. Roll and Cut:

Starting with the longest side, tightly roll the dough into a log.

Using unflavored dental floss, kitchen string, or a sharp dough cutter, cut the log into 12 even rolls, approximately 1½ inches wide each.

Pinch the bottom of each roll together to help keep the filling inside, then place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Leave a little space between each roll to allow room for them to expand.

Cover the dish and let the rolls rise again for 30–60 minutes, or until noticeably puffed and increased in size.

5. Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the rolls uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown on top.

6. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting.

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and silky. Add the confectioners' sugar, softened butter, and vanilla, and mix until combined.

Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until you reach your desired consistency.

Spread or pour the frosting over the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm so it melts slightly and seeps into the folds of the rolls.

Special Note

• Soften your butter and cream cheese: Before you start, take out all the butter and cream cheese you’ll need for the recipe and let them come to room temperature so they soften completely.

• Prep your cinnamon sugar: Make a batch of cinnamon sugar ahead of time and keep it in a spice jar. Measure with your heart! There’s no need to be too precise. Granulated sugar works perfectly fine for the filling.

• Don’t overthink the second rise: The second rise doesn’t need to be a full hour. 30 minutes is usually plenty as long as the rolls have noticeably increased in size.

• Try a seasonal filling: For a fun twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, spread Trader Joe’s Apple Pie Spread or their seasonal Pumpkin Butter over the dough instead of the traditional cinnamon-sugar filling. If using one of these fillings, lightly sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top before rolling.