Cinnamon Roll Extravaganza

$- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C) - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 cup brown sugar, packed firmly - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened - 2-3 tablespoons milk (to adjust icing consistency) - Optional: Chopped nuts or raisins for added texture To make homemade cinnamon rolls, you need key ingredients. The dry ingredients are the base. You will use all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. These help the rolls rise and give them texture. Next, we have the wet ingredients. Whole milk, melted butter, and large eggs create a rich dough. Warm the milk to help the yeast work its magic. Finally, the filling and icing add flavor. Brown sugar and ground cinnamon create a sweet mix. Softened butter spreads easily on the dough. For the icing, you will blend powdered sugar and cream cheese. Add milk to make it creamy. Optional toppings like chopped nuts or raisins can add a fun twist. These ingredients work together to create soft, flavorful rolls that everyone will love. {{ingredient_image_2}} - In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients well. - In another bowl, whisk together the warmed milk, melted butter, and eggs. Make sure the milk is warm but not hot. - Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour blend. Use a spatula to mix until combined. - Add the remaining flour, half a cup at a time. Stir until you form a soft dough that is not sticky. - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently for about five minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. - Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about one hour. The dough should double in size. - Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about a quarter-inch thick. - Evenly spread softened butter over the rolled-out dough. Make sure to cover it completely. - In a small bowl, mix packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough. If you like, add chopped nuts or raisins on top. - Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal pieces. - Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes. - While they rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes. They should turn golden brown on top. - In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and milk. Blend until smooth. If needed, add more milk to adjust the icing consistency. How do I ensure proper yeast activation? To activate yeast, warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C). Mix it with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. You should see bubbles forming. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. How do I knead the dough properly? Kneading is key for soft rolls. Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Press down and fold over. Rotate the dough a quarter turn and repeat. Knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. This builds the gluten structure. How do I achieve the ideal golden-brown color? Baking at 350°F (175°C) gives the best results. Keep an eye on your rolls as they bake. They should become golden brown in about 25-30 minutes. The top should look inviting and slightly firm. How do I prevent over-browning? To avoid over-browning, cover the rolls with foil if they darken too fast. This will let them bake evenly without burning. Check the rolls about 20 minutes in to see if they need covering. What are some serving suggestions for a beautiful display? Serve your warm cinnamon rolls on a large, decorative platter. Drizzle icing over them generously. For added beauty, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or some chopped nuts on top. How can I add decorative touches? For a fun twist, add chopped nuts or raisins to the filling. You can also use a piping bag to create swirls with the icing on top. This makes your homemade cinnamon rolls look even more tempting. Pro Tips Proof Your Yeast: Always check the expiration date on your yeast. To ensure it's active, dissolve a teaspoon of sugar in warm water, add the yeast, and wait for bubbles to form. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be inactive. Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature when mixing. This helps to create a smoother dough and ensures even rising. Don’t Overwork the Dough: Knead the dough just until it’s smooth and elastic. Over-kneading can lead to tough rolls, so stop as soon as you achieve the right texture. Cool Before Icing: Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for at least 10 minutes before applying the icing. If they are too hot, the icing will melt and lose its lovely drizzling effect. {{image_4}} To make gluten-free cinnamon rolls, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour. Brands like Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur Flour work well. Make sure the flour has a binding agent, like xanthan gum. You may need to adjust the liquid. Gluten-free flour absorbs more moisture. Start with a bit more milk, about 1/4 cup extra, if the dough feels too dry. Mix the dough until just combined. Over-mixing can make it tough. For vegan cinnamon rolls, swap the dairy for plant-based options. Use almond milk or oat milk instead of whole milk. For butter, coconut oil or vegan butter works great. Replace eggs with flaxseed meal. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes. This mix helps bind the dough, but it can change the texture slightly. You may not get as much rise, but the rolls will still be soft. You can add fun flavors to your cinnamon rolls. Try mixing in chocolate chips or chopped nuts for a crunchy bite. Dried fruits like raisins or cranberries add a sweet twist. You can spice up the filling too. Instead of just cinnamon, add nutmeg or cardamom. You can even use cocoa powder for a chocolate filling. These changes keep the recipe fresh and exciting each time you make it. To keep your leftover cinnamon rolls fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. This helps maintain their soft texture. If you plan to eat them within a couple of days, this method works well. If you need to keep them longer, refrigeration is a good option. Place them in the fridge, but be aware that this can make them a bit firmer. When you want to enjoy your cinnamon rolls again, reheating is key. For the best results, use the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and wrap the rolls in aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. This method keeps them soft and warm. If you’re in a hurry, you can also use the microwave. Heat them for about 10-15 seconds. However, this may make them slightly less soft than the oven. You can freeze cinnamon rolls both before and after baking. To freeze before baking, cut the rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you're ready to bake them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then follow the second rise and baking steps. If freezing after baking, let the rolls cool completely first. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Thaw at room temperature, and reheat using the oven or microwave. This way, you can enjoy warm treats anytime! To keep your cinnamon rolls soft, store them in an airtight container. This helps trap moisture. You can also place a slice of bread in the container. The bread keeps the rolls moist. If you want to warm them up, use a microwave. Heat them for about 10-15 seconds. Yes, you can prep cinnamon rolls ahead of time. Make the dough and let it rise. After the first rise, shape the rolls. Place them in a greased dish and cover them. You can store them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temp. Then, bake as usual. If you want an alternative to cream cheese, use Greek yogurt. It gives a nice tangy flavor. You can also use mascarpone cheese for a rich taste. Another option is to mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla. This will create a simple glaze that is still delicious. To check if your rolls are done, look for a golden-brown color on top. They should also feel firm to the touch. If you tap the bottom, it should sound hollow. Use a toothpick to test the center. If it comes out clean, your rolls are ready! You now have everything you need to make delicious cinnamon rolls. We covered the key ingredients, from dry items like flour and sugar to wet ingredients such as milk and butter. The step-by-step guide takes you from mixing dough to adding your filling and icing. Don't forget the tips for perfecting your dough and baking! You can even explore variations for dietary needs. Enjoy the sweet rewards of your work and share these treats with others! Happy baking!$

Delicious homemade cinnamon rolls with a creamy icing, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed firmly
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (used for filling)
1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (for icing)
2-3 tablespoons milk (to adjust icing consistency)
optional Chopped nuts or raisins for added texture

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Whisk together until well-mixed.
In a separate bowl, whisk the warmed milk, melted butter, and eggs until blended. Ensure the mixture is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour blend, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined.
Continue to add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until a soft dough begins to form. The dough should not be sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm environment for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Evenly spread the softened butter for the filling over the rolled-out dough, ensuring complete coverage.
In a small bowl, mix together the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this delicious mixture uniformly over the buttered dough. If using, scatter the chopped nuts or raisins over the cinnamon-sugar layer.
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover with a towel, and allow them to rise again for another 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them during baking to prevent over-browning.
While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing. In a bowl, blend together the powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and milk. Mix until smooth, adding more milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling the creamy icing generously over the top.

Notes

For a gorgeous presentation, serve the warm cinnamon rolls on a large decorative platter. Drizzle the icing over the rolls and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or some chopped nuts for a delightful touch.

Keyword baking, cinnamon rolls, dessert