In the realm of comfort food, few things can rival the warm, enticing aroma and sweet, gooey satisfaction of a freshly baked cinnamon roll. This classic treat, with its soft, spiraled dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and rich cream cheese frosting, offers more than just a delightful snack—it provides a moment of pure, heartwarming indulgence. Today, I’ll share with you a timeless recipe for Classic Cinnamon Rolls that promises to deliver all of this and more.
The Symphony of Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C): The warmth activates the yeast, giving our dough its light, airy texture.
- 2 eggs, room temperature: Ensures a richer dough with a uniform texture.
- 1/3 cup butter, melted: Adds moisture and flavor, making the dough tender.
- 4 1/2 cups flour: The foundation of our dough, giving it structure and volume.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- 1/2 cup white sugar: Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough.
- 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast: The magic ingredient that makes the dough rise, creating fluffy rolls.
For the Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Provides a deep, caramel sweetness.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon: The star of the show, offering warm, spicy notes.
- 1/3 cup butter, melted: Helps the sugar and cinnamon adhere to the dough, adding moisture.
For the Frosting:
- 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened: The base of our frosting, offering a tangy, creamy texture.
- 1/4 cup butter, softened: Adds richness and spreads easily.
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens the frosting, giving it a smooth consistency.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavoring.
- 1/8 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
Crafting the Rolls
- Begin with the Dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Stir in the sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix until well combined, then knead into a large, smooth ball. Let this dough rest in a warm place, covered, until it doubles in size—about 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Shape the Rolls: After the dough has doubled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 16×21 inch rectangle. Brush the surface with melted butter, then evenly sprinkle over the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a log and cut into 12 equal pieces. Arrange these in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- The Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again until nearly doubled—about 30 minutes. This is a good time to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Baking to Perfection: Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes, or until they turn a delicious golden brown.
- Frost and Enjoy: While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by beating together the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Once the rolls are done, spread the frosting over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt into every spiral and crevice.
Serving Up Warmth
After about 2 hours from start to finish, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible aroma of baking spices and warm dough. These Classic Cinnamon Rolls are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, with the frosting still melting and the center pull-apart tender. Perfect for a leisurely morning, a special brunch, or a comforting dessert, these cinnamon rolls are sure to bring smiles to the table.
Remember, the joy of baking lies not just in the delicious results, but in the process itself. Take your time, enjoy the steps, and you’ll find that these cinnamon rolls are more than just a treat—they’re a warm embrace in the form of comfort food. Enjoy!
Classic Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients:
Dough:
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
Filling:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, melted
Frosting:
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix well, then knead into a large ball. Place in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
After rising, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Roll dough into a 16×21 inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough starting from the long side and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake rolls for about 20 minutes until golden brown. While baking, prepare the frosting by beating together cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
Remove rolls from oven and pan, spread any leaked filling over the top, and then apply frosting on rolls while warm.
Prep Time: 1 hour 40 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 12