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Cozy Ugly but Delicious Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with Cream Cheese Icing

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A cozy, rustic cinnamon roll recipe with a soft dough and tangy cream cheese icing, perfect for lazy brunches or comforting treats. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and forgiving dough.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (one packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup (240 ml) warm whole milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons whole milk (or dairy-free milk if needed)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, pour 1 cup (240 ml) of warm whole milk (110°F / 43°C). Sprinkle 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast over the top and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. Mix the dough: Add ½ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup melted butter, and 1 large room-temperature egg to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine. Gradually add 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt, mixing as you go. Knead for 5-7 minutes with a stand mixer or 8-10 minutes by hand until smooth and elastic.
  3. Let it rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with butter and place the dough inside, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the filling: Mix 1 cup packed light brown sugar with 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside the softened ⅓ cup butter for spreading.
  5. Roll and fill the dough: Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface. Roll it out into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
  6. Shape the rolls: Starting at the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log, pinching the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal slices about 1 ½ inches thick.
  7. Second rise: Arrange the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving space between them. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  9. Make the cream cheese icing: Beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese and ¼ cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until spreading consistency.
  10. Glaze and serve: Let rolls cool for 10 minutes before spreading cream cheese icing. Serve warm.

Notes

Use a warm, draft-free spot for dough rising; preheat oven to 200°F then turn off and place dough inside for ideal rising environment. Don’t skip the second rise for fluffy rolls. Tent rolls with foil if browning too fast. Use full-fat cream cheese for best icing flavor. For gluten-free, substitute almond flour and increase xanthan gum. For vegan, use dairy-free margarine, flax egg, and coconut cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, cozy recipe, easy cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls, rustic cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/cozy-ugly-but-delicious-cinnamon-rolls-recipe-with-cream-cheese-icing/