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–+ servings
Soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls topped with a smooth layer of cream cheese icing, perfect for breakfast or dessert

Quick and Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, gooey, and incredibly delicious homemade cinnamon rolls with a smooth cream cheese icing, ready in just one hour!
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Dough
  • 1 cup whole milk or 2% milk works well
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter ½ stick, melted
  • 1 packet active dry yeast ensure it’s fresh and not expired
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar for activating the yeast
  • 1 large egg for binding the dough
  • ½ teaspoon salt for flavor balance
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for aroma and flavor
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour for dough consistency
  • Cinnamon Sugar Filling
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed for depth of flavor
  • ½ cup granulated sugar for sweetness
  • 1 ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon use your preferred cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor enhancement
  • Cream Cheese Icing
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar for smooth texture
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for aroma
  • 2 –4 tablespoon milk adjust for consistency, adding one tablespoon at a time

Equipment

  • 1 Microwave-safe bowl For melting butter and heating milk
  • 1 Mixing bowl For preparing dough and filling
  • 1 Rolling pin For rolling dough out to desired thickness
  • 1 Baking Dish For baking cinnamon rolls
  • 1 Icing spatula For spreading cream cheese icing

Method
 

  1. Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 40-45 seconds until fully melted.
  2. Heat milk in the same microwave-safe bowl for about 45 seconds and pour it into the bowl with the melted butter.
  3. Add sugar and yeast into the warm milk-butter mixture, stir until dissolved, then cover and let sit for 10 minutes. mix
  4. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (about 170°F).
  5. After 10 minutes, check if the yeast mixture is frothy. Add egg, salt, and vanilla extract to the mixture.
  6. Gradually add flour in ½ cup increments, stirring until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but not sticky.
  7. Form the dough into a ball and cover with a tea towel. Place the dough in the warm oven to proof for 10 minutes.
  8. While the dough proofs, prepare the filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl until smooth.
  9. After 10 minutes, remove the dough from the oven. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 14" x 18" rectangle, about ¼" thick.
  10. Spread the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly on the dough, almost to the edges.
  11. Roll the dough from the short side tightly into a log.
  12. Pre-mark the dough with a knife into 12 even slices.
  13. Slice the dough using a serrated knife in slow, sawing motions to avoid squeezing out the filling.
  14. Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.
  15. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
  16. While the rolls cool, prepare the icing by whisking cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together until smooth.
  17. Spread the cream cheese icing over the warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 250mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 8mg

Notes

These cinnamon rolls are the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and cinnamon flavor. Ready in no time and topped with smooth cream cheese icing, they’ll be the star of your breakfast or dessert table!

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