Perfect Classic Cinnamon Rolls
Directions
- 1Pour the warm milk into a small bowl or glass measuring cup.
- 2Add 1 tbsp of the granulated sugar and sprinkle the yeast overtop.
- 3Stir and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes, until frothy and activated.
- 4In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- 5Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- 6Add the rest of the sugar (1/2 cup minus the 1 tbsp used for yeast), Greek yogurt or sour cream, butter, eggs, vanilla, and the flour mixture.
- 7With the dough hook attachment (or with a wooden spoon if mixing by hand), mix on low speed for 1 minute, until barely combined.
- 8Rest for 5 minutes so the flour can soak up the liquids.
- 9Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is elastic, smooth, and is pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
- 10If the dough seems a little too sticky, you can add 1 tbsp more flour at a time, until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- 11Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
- 12Cover and allow to rise in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- 13While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until well combined. Set aside.
- 14Grease a 9x13” baking pan with butter.
- 15Once the dough is done rising and has doubled, generously flour your work surface.
- 16Turn the dough out onto the surface and lightly sprinkle the top with more flour.
- 17If making 8 larger cinnamon rolls, roll the dough out to a 16x15” rectangle.
- 18For 12 smaller cinnamon rolls, roll it out to a 24x15” rectangle.
- 19Spread/smooth the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a very small border around the edges.
- 20Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log.
- 21Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 larger or 12 smaller rolls total, each about 2” in width.
- 22Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan.
- 23Cover the pan and allow to proof for another 25-30 minutes, until puffy.
- 24Preheat the oven to 350F.
- 25Once the rolls are proofed, warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 secs, and pour all over the rolls.
- 26For 8 larger rolls, bake at 350F for the first 22-24 mins.
- 27Then, turn the oven temperature up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 mins, until the tops are golden and the rolls are cooked through.
- 28For 12 smaller rolls, bake at 350F for the first 20-22 mins.
- 29Then, turn the oven temperature up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 mins.
- 30While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
- 31In a large bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
- 32Then, beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
- 33Remove the rolls from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before frosting.
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 spoonlightly greased bowl9x13" baking pansharp knifeunflavored flosshandheld mixer
Tips
- For a slightly sticky dough, add about 2.5-3 tbsp more flour if needed, but avoid adding too much.
- Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes after initial mixing so the flour can soak up the liquids.
- When rolling out the dough, aim for a 16x15” rectangle for 8 larger rolls or a 24x15” rectangle for 12 smaller rolls.
- Leave a very small border around the edges when spreading the cinnamon filling.
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