CLASSIC CINNAMON ROLLS

Serves 8
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Directions

  1. 1Activate the yeast by pouring warm milk into a small bowl or glass measuring cup, adding 1 tbsp of granulated sugar, sprinkling yeast overtop, stirring, and allowing to sit for 5-7 minutes until frothy.
  2. 2In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  3. 3Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
  4. 4Add the rest of the sugar, Greek yogurt or sour cream, butter, eggs, and vanilla to the mixer bowl.
  5. 5Add the flour mixture to the mixer bowl.
  6. 6Using a dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for 1 minute until barely combined, then rest for 5 minutes, and finally mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is elastic, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  7. 7Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.
  8. 8Prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until well combined.
  9. 9Grease a 9x13” baking pan with butter.
  10. 10Once the dough is done rising and has doubled, generously flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it, lightly sprinkling the top with more flour.
  11. 11Roll the dough out to a 16x15” rectangle for 8 larger cinnamon rolls, or a 24x15” rectangle for 12 smaller cinnamon rolls.
  12. 12Spread/smooth the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
  13. 13Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log.
  14. 14Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 larger or 12 smaller rolls, each approximately 2” in width.
  15. 15Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan, cover the pan, and allow to proof for another 25-30 minutes until puffy.
  16. 16Preheat the oven to 350F.
  17. 17Warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 seconds and pour all over the rolls.
  18. 18Bake 8 larger rolls at 350F for 22-24 minutes, then turn the oven temperature up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the tops are golden and the rolls are cooked through.
  19. 19Alternatively, for 12 smaller rolls, bake at 350F for 20-22 minutes, then turn the oven temperature up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 minutes.
  20. 20While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy using a handheld mixer, then beating in the powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
  21. 21Remove the rolls from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
  22. 22Spread the cream cheese frosting all over the rolls, serve, and enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 0.75 cup milk of choice, warmed to 110F
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2.5 tsp active dry yeast
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream, room temp
  • 0.5 cup salted butter, very softened (almost melted)
  • 2 eggs, room temp
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 4.5 cups bread flour (sub: all-purpose flour)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream, for pouring over the rolls
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1.75 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Equipment

small bowlglass measuring cuplarge bowlstand mixerdough hook attachmentwooden spoonhandheld mixer9x13” baking pansharp knifeunflavored flossmicrowaveoven

Tips

  • The dough should be slightly sticky, so don't add too much flour.
  • Leave a small border around the edges when spreading the cinnamon filling.
  • Warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 seconds before pouring over the rolls.
  • Allow the rolls to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing them from the oven before frosting.