There is nothing like waking up in the morning to that perfect decadent smell of cinnamon and sugar in the oven. These cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite breakfast recipes, and the addition of cream cheese glaze just brings them up a notch. A very simple dough with yeast, flour, sugar, and cinnamon comes together easily, and the rich sugar and cinnamon filling melt together in the oven for perfect bites every single time.
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
When I was a little girl, I knew it was a special day when I woke up on a Sunday morning to the smell of my mama's cinnamon rolls in the oven. For me, it wasn't just about the delicious glazed rolls, but about the fact that it also meant we were probably having one of her famous pot roasts for lunch.
You see, in our house when mama made a batch of cinnamon rolls, it was because she had leftover dough from making her homemade yeast rolls. Those rolls were always made when a pot roast was in the oven, and rarely any other time. The special treat was definitely something I looked forward to having.
So, as I started working on a new recipe to share, this was a must. While it's a bit different than the one my mom used, it is still delicious. I am sure if she was here, she would give her seal of approval!
Can I Add Nuts or Raisins?
While I don't add nuts or raisins to my cinnamon rolls, I have seen this added on many occasions. For me, they aren't really a favorite in this particular sweet bread.
If you like the added crunch or sweetness, feel free to chop some up and put in the rolls. I recommend sprinkling them over the filling right before you roll the cinnamon rolls to cut. You can also add them to just a few of the rolls by sprinkling them on top just before baking.
How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe is actually one that works wonderfully in the freezer! If you want to make extra batches in advance, you can do them in two ways to freeze for future breakfasts.
(1) Follow the directions up to cutting the cinnamon rolls. Cut them and instead of putting into your regular baking dish, place them into a disposable aluminum foil pan. This frees up your regular dish and makes it ideal for storing in the freezer. Then, wrap in plastic wrap, and top with a layer of aluminum foil. Top that with a label of what the recipe is, the date it was made, and cooking directions. Simply pop them from the freezer to thaw overnight, let them rise as normal, and then bake.
(2) Cook the cinnamon rolls as normal, allow them to cool completely and put into storage bags that have been labeled and dated. When ready to have one later, whip up a bit of icing, and reheat in the microwave or oven before serving with a drizzle of icing.
How Long do Cinnamon Rolls Last?
In my house, they last only as long as it takes to eat them. We rarely have any leftovers! That said, I know others don't have a house full of teenage boys to feed.
When baked and stored in an airtight container on the counter, they are good for 2-3 days. If you add them to the refrigerator in an airtight container, they are good for 5-7 days.
In the freezer, they are good for up to 4 months when wrapped and stored appropriately.
Ingredients
- Milk
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Flour
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Brown sugar
- Cardamom
- Nutmeg
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Start by combining your yeast, warm milk, and sugar to a bowl or measuring cup and mix then set aside to bloom.
In a separate bowl, you will combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon together and mix until well combined. You can also use a food processor or stand mixer if desired.
Now, you will cut in the butter, and mix until the flour and butter mixture resembles small pea-sized bits.
Next, you will mix in the yeast mixture and the eggs until it forms a sticky dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with additional flour for 3-4 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth.
Now, you will put the dough in an oiled or buttered bowl, and cover with a damp towel and allow to double in size. This usually takes around 1 ½-2 hours.
Once the dough has doubled in size, you will put it back onto a floured surface and roll to ¼" thick.
In a small bowl, melt butter, cinnamon, sugar, cardamom, and nutmeg together until it is blended. If it is too thin to spread, set it aside for a few minutes to allow the butter to firm back up a bit.
Now, you will spread the cinnamon butter mixture over the dough in a thin even layer.
Starting closest to you, you will start rolling the dough away from yourself keeping it tight against itself and the filling inside the roll.
When the roll is ready, you will then cut into 12 even pieces.
Place the rolls into a buttered or greased baking dish and cover with a damp towel to rise again for another 30 minutes.
About 15 minutes into the time they are raising, you will preheat your oven.
When ready to put them into the oven, spoon extra heavy cream over the tops of them, then put into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until risen, golden brown, and cooked through.
How to Make Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
Combine softened cream cheese with heavy cream and vanilla extract.
Mix in powdered sugar and salt until smooth, adding additional cream if needed until the texture you prefer.
Remove the rolls from the oven, and allow to cool before spreading the cream cheese glaze over the top and serving!
📖 Recipe
Decadent Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
This homemade decadent cinnamon rolls recipe with a delicious and easy cream cheese glaze is going to become your favorite "wow the crowd" breakfast secret recipe!
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 1 packet dry yeast
- ¼ cup milk, warmed
- 3 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 tablespoon butter, unsalted
- 2 eggs, beaten
Filling
- 6 tablespoon butter, unsalted
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ginger
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
- ⅛ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- ¼-1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine 1 package dry yeast, ¼ cup warm milk, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl then mix and set aside;
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg;
- Cut in the butter and mix with the flour until it begins to form pea sized pieces
- Now, mix in the yeast mixture and 2 beaten eggs and stir until a sticky dough forms;
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with additional flour for 3-4 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth;
- Place the dough into a pre-buttered bowl and cover with a damp towel then set aside to double in size;
- Once the dough has doubled, put on a floured surface and roll out to ¼" thick;
- Next, melt butter in a small bowl, then stir in the cinnamon, sugar, cardamom, and nutmeg together until it is blended then pour this over the dough and spread into a thin layer covering all surfaces;
- Starting closest to you, begin rolling the dough so that the filling is on the inside and you are rolling away from yourself;
- When you have rolled the dough together, you will cut it into 12 pieces;
- Put those pieces into a buttered baking dish, and cover with the damp towel for another 30 minutes to rise;
- Preheat your oven to 375F about 15 minutes before ready to bake;
- Just before popping them into the oven, you can pour the optional heavy cream over the tops;
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown;
How to Make Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
- Combine softened cream cheese with heavy cream and vanilla extract.
- Mix in powdered sugar and salt until smooth, adding additional cream if needed until the texture you prefer.
- Remove the rolls from the oven, and allow to cool before spreading the cream cheese glaze over the top and serving!
Notes
Add additional nuts, raisins, or extra butter and sugar to the filling if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g
More Sweet Bread and Rolls
- Cinnamon Roll Flower Recipe
- Homemade Apple Bread Recipe
- Christmas Stollen Bread
- Lemon Glazed Zucchini Loaf
- Best Ever Banana Bread
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