Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to 110-115°F (43-46°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 ¼ cups (406g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk, as needed for consistency
Instructions:
- Combine warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar in a bowl. Let stand until foamy to activate the yeast.
- Combine yeast mixture with remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and eggs. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size for the first rise.
- While the dough rises, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl to prepare the filling.
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle.
- Spread the softened butter mixture evenly over the dough.
- Tightly roll up the dough lengthwise and slice into 12 equal-sized rolls.
- Place the rolls in a greased baking pan. Cover and let rise until puffy for the second rise.
- Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- While the rolls cool, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add milk to reach desired consistency for the frosting.
- Generously frost the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy these homemade cinnamon rolls!