Cinnamon Rolls

• ▢ ¼ cup warm water

• ▢ 1 package active dry yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoons

• ▢ ¾ cup whole milk

• ▢ ⅓ cup unsalted butter

• ▢ ⅓ cup granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon

• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt

• ▢ 3 ¾ to 4 ¼ cups all purpose flour -divided

• ▢ 2 eggs room temperature

Filling

• ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter softened

• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar packed

• ▢ 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Frosting

• ▢ 1 ½ cups powdered sugar or as needed

• ▢ 4 ounces cream cheese softened

• ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter softened (sometimes I leave the butter out)

• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions 

• Grease a 9×13 pan or baking dish and set aside.

• Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of white sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture rest for 7 to 10 minutes or until it foams.

• In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, remaining white sugar, and salt. Heat the mixture to 120 to 130°F with a thermometer. Do not let it boil.

• Attach a dough hook to a stand mixer and add 2 cups of flour. Add the eggs, warm milk mixture, and the yeast mixture. Mix on medium-low speed until combined.

• Turn the mixer to medium speed and add the flour ½ cup at a time until the dough forms a soft ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. You may not need all of the flour.

• Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes).

• Grease a large bowl and add the dough. Lightly cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. I use the proof setting on my oven.

• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and with a rolling pin, roll it out into a 15 x 12-inch rectangle.

• Spread butter on the dough and sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Roll the dough tightly, starting on the long side. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 15 even pieces and place them in the prepared pan. I use a really sharp knife to cut them…sharpen it before starting to get the best cuts.

• Cover rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  
  

• To prepare the frosting, while the rolls are baking, combine frosting ingredients with a mixer until fluffy.

• Allow rolls to cool for about 10-15 minutes and spread frosting on warm rolls.