Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft • Gooey • Irresistible
These homemade cinnamon rolls are pillowy soft, packed with buttery cinnamon sugar, and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts into every swirl. They’re pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients (Makes 10–12 Rolls)
Dough
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1 cup warm milk (not hot)
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2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 eggs, room temperature
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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1 tsp salt
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4½ cups all-purpose flour
Cinnamon Filling
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¾ cup brown sugar
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2 tbsp ground cinnamon
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Cream Cheese Frosting
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115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
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4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1–2 tbsp milk (for spreading consistency)
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
Add eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix well.
Gradually add flour and knead until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
Knead by hand or mixer for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. First Rise
Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
3. Prepare the Filling
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Keep butter soft and spreadable.
4. Shape the Rolls
Roll dough into a rectangle (about 40 × 30 cm / 16 × 12 inches).
Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously over the top.
Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 10–12 rolls.
5. Second Rise
Place rolls in a greased baking dish.
Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
6. Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 22–25 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Mix in milk slowly until creamy and spreadable.
Spread frosting over warm (not hot) rolls so it melts into the swirls 🤍
Pro Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
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Warm milk should feel like bath water—not hot
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Don’t over-flour the dough; soft dough = soft rolls
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For extra gooey rolls, pour ¼ cup warm cream over rolls before baking
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Frost while warm for melt-in magic
Make-Ahead Option
Prepare rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight.
Bring to room temperature and bake fresh in the morning.
Storage
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Store covered at room temperature for 1 day
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Refrigerate up to 4 days
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Reheat gently before serving
Why These Rolls Are So Good
The enriched dough creates softness, the brown sugar melts into caramelized layers, and the cream cheese frosting balances sweetness with tang. Every bite is fluffy, gooey, and nostalgic.