Welcome to my kitchen, where we're about to embark on a delightful journey of homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch! In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of creating pillowy-soft dough, crafting the perfect cinnamon-sugar filling, and smothering it all in heavenly cream cheese icing.
Follow along as I share my tips and tricks for achieving bakery-worthy cinnamon rolls right in your own home.
So, if you're ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodness and impress your loved ones with mouthwatering treats, don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe to our channel for more delicious recipes and baking inspiration! Let's get rolling!
Ingredients
The Bread
2 cups of warm milk
1 tablespoon of yeast
1/3 cup of sugar
1 egg
4 1/2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 half stick of butter (softened)
Cinnamon Roll Sauce
½ cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoon cinnamon
⅓ cup (116 g) honey
½ tablespoon vanilla
3 tablespoon (45 ml) heavy cream
¼ teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Filling
½ cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (for pouring in between the rolls)
Cream Cheese Frosting
6 tablespoon (84 g) unsalted butter, very softened
6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, cold
¾ cup (97 g) powdered sugar
½ tablespoon vanilla
Bread Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by combining the warm milk, sugar, egg and yeast in a bowl. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is crucial as it activates the yeast, allowing the rolls to rise and become fluffy.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the yeast mixture into the well you created in the dry ingredients. Begin to mix everything together until the dough is crumbly. Then mix in the half stick of butter until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This step helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which is essential for a good rise and texture. I use my Kitchen Aid with the hook to knead my dough for about 10 minutes.
Step 5: Let It Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. This may take longer in cooler temperatures.
Step 6: Cinnamon Roll Sauce
While the dough rises, make the sticky caramel sauce for the bottoms of the rolls, by mixing the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, heavy cream and salt together in a medium bowl.
Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan.
Step 7: Cinnamon Filling
While the dough rises, also make the filling by mixing the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl.
(If the filling is too firm and not spreadable, add heavy cream a teaspoon at a time until it's easily spreadable.)
Step 8: Prepare the Dough
Punch down the risen dough, knead again and then roll oll the dough into about an 18 x 12 inch rectangle. It should be about ¼ inch thick.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Step 9: Cut and Roll
Use a pizza cutter to cut horizontal lines across the dough. This means cutting across the shortest distance of the rectangle, side to side. The strip should at least one inch, but be no more than 2 inches wide for easier rolling.
Then roll the strips into buns. Add the rolls to the dish with the cinnamon roll sauce and pour room temperature heavy cream in between each roll.
Step 10: Rest and Rise
Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until they have doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees about 15 minutes before the rolls are done rising.
Step 11: Bake
Once the rolls have completed their second rise, bake them for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cover with aluminum foil for the last 5 minutes if they're getting too brown.
Step 12: Cream Cheese Frosting
While they bake, make the cream cheese frosting by adding the softened butter to a medium bowl and mixing it on high speed with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
Add in the cream cheese and mix until combined on medium speed.
Sift the powdered sugar into the mixture a little at a time and mix on low speed until all is combined.
Then add in the vanilla and combine on medium speed until the frosting is smooth.
Step 13: Apply the Frosting to warm, not hot rolls, and ENJOY!
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