Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Delicious homemade cinnamon rolls with a soft, fluffy dough, a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar filling, and a luscious cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls are baked to golden perfection and topped with a creamy, sweet glaze that melts in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Filling
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Glaze
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Warm the milk slightly until just above room temperature (do not exceed 104°F). Stir in the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and the frothy yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Knead dough on a floured surface for 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll dough on floured surface into a 1/4 inch thick large rectangle.
- Add Filling: Brush entire dough surface with melted butter. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over dough.
- Shape Rolls: Roll dough tightly starting from long side into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
- Second Rise: Arrange rolls in greased or parchment-lined baking dish with space between. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake Rolls: Bake rolls for 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare Glaze: While baking, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time to desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Let rolls cool slightly, spread glaze over warm rolls, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to properly activate yeast.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten for soft rolls.
- Letting rolls rise twice ensures fluffy texture.
- Adjust milk in glaze to make it thinner or thicker as desired.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container; reheat gently before serving.
