- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin, as needed)
🌀 Directions
1. Activate the yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and instant yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to look foamy — this means the yeast is working its magic.
2. Build the dough
Stir in the sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg until well mixed. Add the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls together but is still soft and slightly sticky. Knead for about 5–6 minutes, either by hand or with a dough hook.
3. Rest the dough briefly
Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rest for 10 minutes in a warm place while you prepare the filling.
4. Roll it out
Roll the dough into a large 12×18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the buttered dough.
5. Roll and slice
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts. Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Rise while preheating
Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise in a warm spot for 15 minutes — just enough time to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
7. Bake to golden perfection
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed, golden brown, and the center swirls are cooked through.
8. Ice while warm
While the rolls are baking, beat together all the icing ingredients until smooth and creamy. Spread over the warm rolls right out of the oven so it melts into the swirls.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast – From craving to cinnamon bliss in about an hour.
- Simple ingredients – Nothing fancy or hard to find.
- Soft & gooey – The texture is every bit as good as slow-rise rolls.
- Perfect for brunch, holidays, or just because – Because who needs a reason for cinnamon rolls?
💡 Pro Tips
- Need a warmer spot to rise? Turn your oven to 200°F (93°C) for 2 minutes, then turn it off and place your dough inside with the door cracked open.
- Make it ahead-ish: You can prepare the rolls through Step 6, then refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Let them come to room temp while your oven preheats before baking.
- Add-ins: Sprinkle chopped pecans, raisins, or even mini chocolate chips into the filling for a twist.
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own cinnamon rolls — especially when it doesn’t require a whole day or a professional mixer. These are the kind of treats that bring people to the kitchen before the pan even hits the table. Soft, sweet, sticky, and loaded with cream cheese icing… they’re impossible to resist.
So next time the craving strikes — no need to wait. Just roll, bake, and enjoy the magic.
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