Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, lukewarm
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 4 cups (500g) 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
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk, or cream, as needed for consistency

Instructions:

  1. Warm milk, then dissolve yeast and a pinch of sugar in it. Let it stand until foamy.
  2. Combine the yeast mixture with remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
  5. Combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  6. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread with the cinnamon-sugar filling.
  7. Roll the dough up tightly and slice into 12 rolls.
  8. Arrange rolls in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise again.
  9. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
  10. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  11. Let the rolls cool slightly, then generously frost while still warm.
  12. Serve warm and enjoy these homemade cinnamon rolls!