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The Best Soft and Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

A close-up of a single, soft cinnamon roll recipe serving, dripping with white cream cheese frosting.
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Follow this straightforward recipe to make bakery-style cinnamon rolls that are incredibly soft, fluffy, and topped with rich cream cheese frosting. This recipe delivers decadent sweet treats perfect for weekend brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup whole milk, warm
  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk until it reaches 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the warm milk into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add the melted butter, remaining granulated sugar, and the egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. Lightly grease a large bowl with butter. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined into a paste. Set aside.
  7. Punch down the risen dough gently. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle.
  8. Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small half-inch border along one long edge.
  9. Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam closed.
  10. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
  11. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter. Arrange the rolls cut-side up in the prepared pan. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap. Let the rolls rest for 30 minutes.
  12. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  13. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the tops of the rolls.
  14. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the center is set.
  15. While the rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
  16. Remove the rolls from the oven. Immediately spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls. Serve warm for the best gooey texture.

Notes

  • For extra gooey rolls, you can increase the filling butter slightly.
  • If you prefer a thinner glaze instead of thick frosting, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to the frosting mixture until you reach your desired consistency.
  • You can make the dough ahead of time and let it cold-proof in the refrigerator overnight for an easier morning bake.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/cinnamon-rolls-recipe-best-gooey-homemade/