Quick & Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Fluffy cinnamon rolls represent the ultimate comfort food that reimagines ordinary mornings into magical moments.

Warm, soft dough swirled with sweet spices creates an irresistible aroma that fills kitchens with anticipation.

Bakers cherish these delicate pastries for their tender interior and delightful golden-brown exterior.

Each roll promises a perfect balance between pillowy texture and rich, decadent flavors that dance across your palate.

Homemade versions elevate this classic treat from simple breakfast fare to a spectacular culinary experience.

The combination of delicate dough, fragrant cinnamon, and luxurious cream cheese icing makes these rolls a true crowd-pleaser.

Your family and friends will be impressed by the professional-quality results of this delectable recipe.

Why Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Icing Are a Hit

• Indulge in Ultimate Comfort: These cinnamon rolls deliver a warm, pillowy embrace of sweet, nostalgic goodness that feels like a hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Master a Showstopping Technique: Brown butter caramel cream cheese icing transforms ordinary rolls into a professional-level dessert with minimal culinary skills required.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The flexible recipe allows easy adjustments like adding nuts, changing sugar ratios, or experimenting with alternative spices to match personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for soft, fluffy rolls with a light crumb.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and creating airy, light texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps activate the yeast for better rising.
• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture for a tender dough.

• Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Bean Powder: Adds deep, complex vanilla flavor to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Classic combination for a warm, sweet filling with aromatic spice.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy base for the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds rich, deep sweetness to the icing.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Provides a beautiful contrast and enhances the overall flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the icing.

How to Make These Extra Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Warm milk
• Active dry yeast
• Brown sugar

Combine ingredients in a stand mixer bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until mixture becomes bubbly and fragrant.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

• Softened butter
• Eggs
• Flour
• Vanilla bean powder
• Salt

Mix ingredients with dough hook on low speed. Add extra flour if dough feels sticky. Knead until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Cover bowl with clean kitchen towel. Place in warm spot for 1 hour until dough doubles in size.

Step 4: Prepare Flavor Explosion

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Mix sugars and cinnamon in separate bowl. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Roll dough into large rectangle on floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture across surface. Tightly roll from long edge, creating a perfect log. Slice into 12-15 even rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place rolls in prepared baking dish. Cover and let rest for 15-20 minutes.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until tops turn golden brown.

Step 8: Craft Decadent Icing

• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Caramel sauce
• Vanilla extract
• Flaky sea salt

Brown butter in small pot until nutty. Beat cream cheese, then combine all icing ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Step 9: Final Touch

Spread warm icing over freshly baked rolls. Sprinkle extra sea salt if desired. Serve immediately and savor every bite!

Tips to Perfect Cinnamon Rolls Every Time

• Master the Yeast Activation: Ensure your milk is warm (not hot) to perfectly activate the yeast without killing it, creating a light and fluffy texture.
• Control Dough Consistency: Add flour gradually to achieve a soft, smooth dough that's not too sticky or dry, which guarantees perfect roll texture.
• Roll with Precision: Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut clean, even rolls without squishing the delicate dough.
• Rise to Perfection: Let rolls rise in a warm, draft-free area to help them expand beautifully and create that signature soft, pillowy texture.
• Brown Butter Technique: Watch the butter carefully while browning to develop a rich, nutty flavor without burning, which adds depth to the caramel cream cheese icing.

Reheating and Storage for Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the icing separate to maintain texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to refresh moisture and flavor.

Delicious Pairings for Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai Latte: The aromatic cinnamon and sweet caramel notes of the rolls perfectly complement the rich, spicy chai blend, creating a harmonious morning indulgence.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cinnamon rolls for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Enhance with Toasted Pecan Coffee: Brew a robust coffee with toasted pecan undertones to echo the nutty brown butter in the icing and provide a smooth, complementary beverage experience.
• Complement with Fresh Berry Compote: A tangy mixed berry compote cuts through the sweetness of the rolls, adding a bright, refreshing element to balance the rich, decadent pastry.

Recipe Variations for Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

• Nutty Pecan Paradise: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the butter before rolling the dough, adding a rich, crunchy texture to the traditional cinnamon roll.
• Apple Spice Sensation: Finely dice fresh apples and mix them with the cinnamon sugar filling, creating a fruity and warm autumn-inspired variation.
• Chocolate Mocha Bliss: Replace half the cinnamon with cocoa powder and add a tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the filling for a decadent coffee-chocolate experience.
• Maple Walnut Wonder: Swap the caramel sauce with pure maple syrup in the icing and fold crushed walnuts into the filling for a nutty, maple-forward flavor profile.

Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Pillowy cinnamon rolls promise pure comfort from first bite to last. Rich caramel cream cheese icing crowns these irresistible pastries, delivering a sweet embrace that welcomes you home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup warm milk (240 milliliters)
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

Secondary Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground vanilla bean powder

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

Icing Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ – ⅓ cup caramel sauce
• 2–3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Flaky sea salt (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by whisking warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar in a stand mixer bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for 5-10 minutes.
2. Incorporate butter, eggs, flour, vanilla bean powder, and salt into the yeast mixture, kneading with a dough hook until a smooth, elastic texture forms. Adjust flour quantity if the dough feels too sticky.
3. Let the dough rest and expand at room temperature, covering the bowl with plastic wrap until it doubles in volume, approximately one hour.
4. Craft the filling by blending brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Generously butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.
5. Deflate the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface, stretching it into a rectangular shape approximately 12 x 18 inches.
6. Distribute room temperature butter evenly across the dough’s surface, then generously sprinkle the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact log. Seal the edges and slice into 12-15 uniform rolls using a sharp knife.
8. Arrange the rolls in the prepared baking dish, allowing them to proof for an additional 15-20 minutes under plastic wrap.
9. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls until they transform into a golden-brown delicacy, roughly 25-30 minutes.
10. Brown the butter in a small pot, developing a rich, nutty essence by cooking until it reaches a light golden hue.
11. Whip cream cheese until fluffy, then blend with browned butter, powdered sugar, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and a subtle hint of sea salt.
12. Once baked, lavish the warm rolls with the decadent caramel cream cheese icing, optionally garnishing with an extra sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch.

Notes

• Rise Time Matters: Letting the dough rise properly creates those dreamy, pillowy soft cinnamon rolls that melt in your mouth.
• Temperature Tip: Warm milk activates the yeast perfectly, so aim for around 110°F to ensure a strong rise and fluffy texture.
• Dough Consistency Check: The dough should feel smooth and slightly tacky but not stick to your fingers when kneaded correctly.
• Butter Brown Magic: Browning butter adds a rich, nutty depth to the cream cheese icing that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Rolling Technique: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge to create those beautiful swirled layers that make cinnamon rolls irresistible.
• Salt Surprise: A pinch of flaky sea salt on top balances the sweetness and brings out the caramel and cinnamon flavors dramatically.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg