1Activate the yeast by pouring warm milk into a small bowl, adding 1 tbsp of granulated sugar, sprinkling yeast, stirring, and letting it sit for 5-7 minutes until frothy.
2Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
3Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
4Add the remaining granulated sugar, Greek yogurt or sour cream, butter, eggs, and vanilla to the stand mixer.
5Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer.
6Mix on low speed for 1 minute until barely combined, then rest for 5 minutes.
7Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough is elastic, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
8Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
9While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until well combined, then set aside.
10Grease a 9x13” baking pan with butter.
11Once the dough has doubled, generously flour your work surface.
12Turn the dough out onto the surface and lightly sprinkle the top with more flour.
13Roll the dough out to a 16x15” rectangle for 8 larger rolls or a 24x15” rectangle for 12 smaller rolls.
14Spread the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
15Starting on the long end, tightly roll the dough up into a log.
16Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the dough into 8 larger or 12 smaller rolls, each about 2” in width.
17Place the rolls into the prepared baking pan.
18Cover the pan and allow to proof for another 25-30 minutes until puffy.
19Preheat the oven to 350F.
20Once the rolls are proofed, warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15 seconds, and pour it all over the rolls.
21Bake at 350F for 22-24 minutes for larger rolls (or 20-22 minutes for smaller rolls), then turn the oven up to 375F and bake for another 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
22While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy using a handheld mixer.
23Then, beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
24Remove the rolls from the oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
25Spread the cream cheese frosting all over the rolls.
26Serve and enjoy.
Ingredients
0.75 cup milk of choice
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)
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. Don’t add too much, you want the dough to be slightly sticky!