1Activate the yeast by pouring warm milk into a small bowl or glass measuring cup, adding 1 tbsp of granulated sugar, and sprinkling yeast overtop. Stir and let sit for 5-7 minutes until frothy.
2In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set aside.
3Pour the activated yeast mixture into a stand mixer bowl, then add the remaining granulated sugar, Greek yogurt or sour cream, very softened salted butter, eggs, and vanilla bean paste or extract.
4Add the flour mixture to the stand mixer bowl.
5Using a dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for 1 minute until barely combined, then rest for 5 minutes.
6Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is elastic, smooth, and pulling away from the sides of the bowl. Add 1 tbsp more flour at a time if too sticky.
7Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
8Prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing together softened salted butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste or extract until well combined.
9Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter.
10Once the dough has risen, generously flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Lightly sprinkle the top with more flour.
11Roll the dough out to a 16x15 inch rectangle for 8 larger cinnamon rolls or a 24x15 inch rectangle for 12 smaller cinnamon rolls.
12Spread the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
13Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log.
14Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 or 12 rolls, each approximately 2 inches in width.
15Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan, cover, and let proof for another 25-30 minutes until puffy.
16Preheat the oven to 350F.
17Once the rolls are proofed, warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 seconds and pour all over the rolls.
18Bake the rolls at 350F for 22-24 minutes for larger rolls (or 20-22 minutes for smaller rolls), then increase oven temperature to 375F and bake for another 5-7 minutes until golden.
19While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating softened cream cheese and softened salted butter in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy, then beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
20Remove the rolls from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes.
21Spread the cream cheese frosting all over the rolls and serve.
Ingredients
0.75 cup milk of choice
0.5 cup granulated sugar
2.5 tsp active dry yeast
0.5 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
0.5 cup salted butter, very softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
4.5 cups bread flour (or 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
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 spoonbaking pan (9x13")handheld mixersharp knife or unflavored flossrolling pin
Tips
Dough should be slightly sticky, avoid adding too much flour.
For 8 larger rolls, roll dough to 16x15 inches. For 12 smaller rolls, roll dough to 24x15 inches.
Leave a small border around the edges when spreading the filling.