The Ultimate Guide to Baking Delicious Cinnamon Rolls
Are you ready to embark on a delightful culinary adventure? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of making irresistible cinnamon rolls from scratch. Forget store-bought – these homemade cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this classic treat!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 12 large cinnamon rolls. Adjust quantities as needed.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ - 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and active, crucial for a fluffy dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling:
- Mix Filling Ingredients: While the dough is rising, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
Assembling and Baking the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle.
- Spread the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Place in Pan: Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Making the Cream Cheese Icing:
- Beat Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Finishing Touches:
- Cool and Frost: Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly in the pan before frosting generously with the cream cheese icing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm and savor every bite of these heavenly cinnamon rolls!
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls:
- Use fresh yeast: Fresh yeast will give you the best results.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cinnamon rolls.
- Let the dough rise properly: Adequate rising time is essential for soft and fluffy rolls.
- Use good quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the taste.
This detailed guide will help you bake irresistible cinnamon rolls every time. Remember to share your creations and tag us! Happy baking!