Easy Beginner-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

  

  Cinnamon rolls are great for many occasions.  They are my favorite go to treat for brunch parties or for breakfast when I have guests staying over.  What better way to tell your guests they are welcome in your home, than them waking up to the smell of fresh, warm cinnamon rolls?  Cinnamon rolls can be prepared the night before so all you have to do is pop them in the oven and whalah! you become the best hostess ever!

    The key to making your cinnamon rolls big and pillowy soft, is to make sure to activate the yeast.  Mix the yeast in warm milk with a temperature between 100-115 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the milk is too cold, the yeast won't activate and too hot will kill the yeast.  Without yeast activation, the dough will not rise.  Also add a tablespoon of sugar to the milk to aid in yeast activation.

    When kneading the dough, make sure to keep your surface floured because the dough will be quiet sticky.  Knead the dough until it is smooth and if you press the dough it springs back.

    Let the dough ball rise in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap for at least 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.  You must be patient because this will ensure your cinnamons rolls are nice and fluffy.  

    After rolling out your dough and sprinkling your filling on top, its time to get rolling!  Start at the edge closest to you and begin rolling.  If the dough starts sticking to your fingers or the surface, just dust your fingers or the surface with a little flour.  Once you have rolled your dough into a long log, grab about 12 inches of dental floss to cut the dough.  While holding the ends of the dental floss in each hand, slide the floss underneath the log where you want to cut.  Then cross the ends of the floss over each other, like you are tying your shoe, and pull.  Repeat this step until you have cut all your rolls.  

    Place your cinnamon rolls in a baking pan and cover with plastic wrap to rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.  

Watch the video below of me making my Easy Beginner-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls.

Ingredients

Dough

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all purpose flour

Filling

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup softened butter

Cream Cheese Icing

• 6 tbsp softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups powered sugar
• 1/4 cup cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl for 5 minutes or until frothy.
2. In another bowl, mix flour and salt and set aside.
3. Once yeast has proofed, add sugar, butter and eggs.  Mix well.
4. Add flour to yeast mixture and mix until soft dough forms.
5. On a floured surface, knead dough into smooth ball.
6. Place dough into large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for at least 1 hour.
7. For the filling: in a small bowl combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
8. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface into a rectangle shape.  Dough should be about a 1/4 inch thick.
9. Spread 1/3 cup of softened butter evenly onto surface of dough and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix evenly on top.
10. Working from the long edge closets to you, begin rolling dough to form a log.
11. Cut dough into 1 1/2 inch slices and place in prepared baking dish.
12. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for at least 1 hour or until doubled in size.
13. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Prepare icing by mixing all ingredients well until fluffy and smooth.
15. Let cinnamon rolls cool then spread  over rolls. 

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