The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are a beloved treat that brings warmth and comfort to any breakfast or brunch table. With their soft, fluffy texture and sweet cinnamon filling, they are hard to resist. This guide will provide you with a detailed recipe, cooking instructions, tips, and nutritional information to help you create the perfect cinnamon rolls at home.
Ingredients
To make about 12 cinnamon rolls, gather the following ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk (warm, about 110°F)
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (divided)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Cooking Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Warm the milk in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds until it’s warm but not hot to the touch.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add 4 cups of flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes smooth and slightly tacky.
- Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- In another bowl, soften butter until spreadable.
- Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 24×12 inches.
- Spread softened butter over the dough, leaving a small margin around the edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Starting from one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch seams to seal.
- Cut into 12 equal pieces (about 2 inches wide) using a serrated knife or dental floss.
- Second Rise:
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish or lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Frost and Serve:
- Spread frosting over warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
- Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising.
- Temperature Matters: Make sure your milk is warm enough to activate yeast but not hot enough to kill it.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your rolls; they should be slightly golden but soft in the center.
- Customize Your Filling: Feel free to add nuts or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 cinnamon roll without frosting):
- Calories: approximately 210 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Sugar: 8 g
- Fiber: <1 g
Calorie Count Calculation
The calorie count is derived from standard ingredient values:
- Whole milk (1 cup): ~150 kcal
- Granulated sugar (½ cup + 1 tbsp): ~200 kcal
- Brown sugar (1 cup): ~800 kcal
- Butter (6 tbsp): ~600 kcal
- Eggs (2 large): ~140 kcal
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): ~1800 kcal
Total calories for entire recipe: ~3190 kcal
Calories per roll (divided by 12): ~265 kcal
Conclusion
These homemade cinnamon rolls are sure to impress with their delicious flavor and fluffy texture! Perfect for breakfast or as an indulgent treat at any time of day. For more mouth-watering recipes like this one, consider purchasing our eBook filled with delightful options that will elevate your cooking skills! Additionally, don’t forget to pre-order our upcoming cookbook “Deliciously Fit,” which focuses on weight loss and healthy meal options without sacrificing flavor. Happy baking!