These Easy Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, have the best cinnamon filling and cream cheese frosting. They are very easy to make if you follow my tips!
In a medium saucepan, heat up milk, sugar, salt and butter in a saucepan, just until the butter is melted. The mixture should not be hot! If it gets too hot, cool it before proceeding.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk 1 and ¼ cup of flour and yeast. Add heated up milk and stir until smooth.
Add beaten egg and stir well.
Stir in 2 to 2 and ¼ more cups of flour, ½ cup at a time and stir well after each addition. You can use electric or stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
When the dough comes together, place it on a lightly floured countertop and knead for 1 minute. Wash the bowl you made the dough in with warm water. Dry well and oil with olive oil (place 1 tablespoon of oil into the bowl and swirl around.
Place dough in an oiled bowl, turn over to make sure it's covered in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Heat up 1 cup of water in a microwave. When done, quickly place the bowl with dough inside and close the door. Let the dough rise in the microwave until doubled in size. This is a perfect warm and draft-free place for any yeast dough to rise.
When done, punch the dough. Place it on a floured surface. Roll out the dough into a rectangle. I used a sheet of parchment paper for guidance.
In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread the filling over the dough.
Roll up the dough, starting from the longer side. Make marks with a knife for guidance. First, make a mark in the middle of the dough roll. Then divide each half and so on. Try to keep the rolls about 1 to 1.5″ wide.
Using dental floss, cut the dough into rolls. Simply slide the floss under the dough and cross both ends over the mark you made with a knife. Pull the ends to cut the dough.
Place rolls in a greased baking dish (13″x9″ or two 8″ round pans).
Let the rolls rise while you preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. When the rolls are puffed up, place in the oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer. Add milk and mix. Add powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time and mix in well. Spread the frosting over still warm rolls.
Notes
Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
If you prefer a glaze over a cream cheese frosting: mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of milk until drizzling consistency. Add vanilla if desired. Drizzle over cinnamon rolls. Let cool to set.
To prevent the rolls from drying, cover them with plastic wrap. I keep mine on the counter, but you can place them in a fridge. To warm up, place rolls on a plate and heat up in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.