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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Let the dough rest and expand at room temperature, covering the bowl with plastic wrap until it doubles in volume, approximately one hour.
- Craft the filling by blending brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Generously butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Deflate the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface, stretching it into a rectangular shape approximately 12 x 18 inches.
- Distribute room temperature butter evenly across the dough’s surface, then generously sprinkle the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture.
- 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.
- Arrange the rolls in the prepared baking dish, allowing them to proof for an additional 15-20 minutes under plastic wrap.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls until they transform into a golden-brown delicacy, roughly 25-30 minutes.
- Brown the butter in a small pot, developing a rich, nutty essence by cooking until it reaches a light golden hue.
- Whip cream cheese until fluffy, then blend with browned butter, powdered sugar, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and a subtle hint of sea salt.
- 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