Perfect Classic Cinnamon Rolls

Serves 8
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Directions

  1. 1Pour the warm milk into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Add 1 tbsp of the granulated sugar and sprinkle the yeast overtop. Stir and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes, until frothy and activated.
  2. 2In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
  3. 3Once activated, pour the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the rest of the sugar (1/2 cup minus the 1 tbsp that was used to activate the yeast), Greek yogurt or sour cream, butter, eggs, vanilla, and the flour mixture.
  4. 4With the dough hook attachment (or with a wooden spoon if mixing by hand), mix on low speed for 1 minute, until barely combined.
  5. 5Rest for 5 minutes so the flour can soak up the liquids.
  6. 6Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is elastic, smooth, and is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If 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.
  7. 7Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
  8. 8Cover and allow to rise in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  9. 9While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until well combined. Set aside.
  10. 10Grease a 9x13” baking pan with butter.
  11. 11Once the dough is done rising and has doubled, generously flour your work surface.
  12. 12Turn the dough out onto the surface and lightly sprinkle the top with more flour.
  13. 13If you are making 8 larger cinnamon rolls, roll the dough out to a 16x15” rectangle. For 12 smaller cinnamon rolls, roll it out to a 24x15” rectangle.
  14. 14Spread/smooth the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a very small border around the edges.
  15. 15Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log.
  16. 16Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 larger or 12 smaller rolls total. Each roll should be ~2” in width.
  17. 17Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan.
  18. 18Cover the pan and allow to proof for another 25-30 minutes, until puffy.
  19. 19Preheat the oven to 350F.
  20. 20Once the rolls are proofed, warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 secs, and pour all over the rolls.
  21. 21For 8 larger rolls, bake at 350F for the first 22-24 mins. Then, 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.
  22. 22For 12 smaller rolls, bake at 350F for the first 20-22 mins. Then, turn the oven temperature up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 mins.
  23. 23While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
  24. 24Then, beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
  25. 25Remove the rolls from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

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 spoon9x13” baking pansharp knifeunflavored flosshandheld mixer

Tips

  • Don’t add too much flour; the dough should be slightly sticky.
  • If making 8 larger rolls, bake at 350F for 22-24 mins, then 375F for 5-7 mins.
  • If making 12 smaller rolls, bake at 350F for 20-22 mins, then 375F for 5-7 mins.