In our house any special occasion that involves breakfast or brunch calls for something sweet. One of my favorites to make are these simple cinnamon rolls.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast or 1 packet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened (*see note)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar , packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ – ½ cup heavy cream , room temperature (for pouring over rolls after rising, but before baking)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter , softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of kosher salt
Instruction
- Line a 9”x13” baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat milk for 30-40 seconds, until the milk is lukewarm. Add in yeast and sugar and stir with a whisk until dissolved. Cover with a clean dishtowel and let the yeast proof for 10 minutes.
- While your yeast is proofing, combine softened butter, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
- After the yeast has proofed, whisk in melted butter, egg, and vanilla, until fully combined.
- Add in salt and flour, 1 cup at a time. Knead it slightly until the dough forms a ball. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Rest the dough for 10 minutes.
- Lightly flour a surface and a rolling pin. Roll the dough out until it is approximately a 14” × 18” rectangle that is 1/4” thick.
- Spread filling over the entire surface of the dough.
- Beginning at the short side, roll the dough up.
- Use a serrated knife cut the dough into 12 rolls.
- Place cinnamon rolls in the pan, cut-side down. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise for about 50 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Drizzle the tops of the rolls with heavy cream. Bake for 24-26 minutes until the tops are slightly golden brown.
- For the frosting, add softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to a medium-sized bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until combined and smooth. Frost cinnamon rolls and serve warm!
