🔥 KITCHEN FINDS
3 Clever Kitchen Gadgets Worth Checking Out
These handy little gadgets make cooking easier — and they're actually pretty cool.
This Kitchen Gadget Sprays AND Pours Oil
One bottle for spraying, pouring and keeping cooking oil close at hand.
Check It Out on Amazon →
This Weird Little Tool Slices Watermelon for You
Slice, cube and grab watermelon with one ridiculously simple little gadget.
Check It Out on Amazon →
Mix & Pour Pancake Batter Without the Mess
Mix the batter right in the bottle, then squeeze it straight onto the griddle.
Check It Out on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Homemade cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat that can transform any morning into a special occasion. Soft, fluffy, and swirled with a rich cinnamon filling, these rolls are topped with a luscious cream cheese icing that makes them irresistible. This recipe is perfect for brunch or as a cozy dessert, and the warm, inviting aroma will fill your kitchen as they bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Homemade cinnamon rolls are a classic favorite that everyone loves. They are not only delicious but also relatively easy to make. With this recipe, you get to enjoy warm rolls fresh from the oven.
- Soft and fluffy texture
- Sweet and spicy cinnamon filling
- Decadent cream cheese icing
- Perfect for special occasions or weekend breakfasts
- Customizable with your favorite mix-ins
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup milk, warmed to 110°F
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16×12 inches.
- Spread the softened butter for the filling evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough.
- Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese icing. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Once the rolls are done, let them cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling the cream cheese icing over the top. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Results
- Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast correctly.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth for the best texture.
- Allow the rolls to rise in a warm environment; a turned-off oven with a light on works well.
- You can refrigerate the rolls overnight after cutting them; just let them rise for an extra hour before baking in the morning.
Easy Variations
- Add chopped nuts or raisins to the filling for extra texture.
- Experiment with different spices such as nutmeg or cardamom.
- Try using maple syrup in place of some powdered sugar in the icing for a unique flavor.
What to Serve With It
- Fresh fruit salad
- Crispy bacon or sausage
- Hot coffee or tea
- A side of scrambled eggs
Storage and Reheating
📚 RECIPE LOVER FINDS
Love Trying New Recipes? Check These Out
Save your favorites, discover something different, or make meal planning a whole lot easier.
❤️ Love This Recipe? Save Your Favorites
Keep all those recipes you actually want to make again together in your own recipe book.
See It on Amazon →
🔥 Yep, Snoop Dogg Has a Cookbook
From Crook to Cook brings Snoop's spin to comfort food, classics and seriously fun recipes.
Check It Out on Amazon →
🥗 100+ Meals You Can Make Ahead
Simple make-ahead recipes and quick-assembly meals for making the week way easier.
See It on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Card
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
¾ cup milk, warmed to 110°F
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16×12 inches.
5. Spread the softened butter for the filling evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough.
6. Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese icing. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the milk to reach your desired consistency.
10. Once the rolls are done, let them cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling the cream cheese icing over the top. Serve warm.
Notes: For best results, follow the tips provided above for perfect cinnamon rolls.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
¾ cup milk, warmed to 110°F
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16×12 inches.
5. Spread the softened butter for the filling evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough.
6. Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese icing. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the milk to reach your desired consistency.
10. Once the rolls are done, let them cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling the cream cheese icing over the top. Serve warm.
Notes: For best results, follow the tips provided above for perfect cinnamon rolls.
