Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Activate Yeast:
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Prepare Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture, sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
5. Roll Out Dough:
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 16×20 inches).
6. Prepare Filling:
- Spread the softened butter over the rolled-out dough. In a bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the butter.
7. Roll and Cut:
- Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
8. Second Rise:
- Place the cut rolls in a greased baking pan. Cover and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
9. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake:
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
11. Prepare Frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
12. Frost the Rolls:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top.
Cooking Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes.
Serving Size: This recipe makes 12 cinnamon rolls. Adjust quantities based on your preferences or the number of guests.
