Cinnamon Rolls

Serves: 12
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 22 - 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees F - warm but not burning to touch)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast (1/4-ounce package yeast)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cups bread flour (labeled bread flour is important)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, add yeast to milk. You’ll know your yeast has activated if it begins to foam after a few minutes. If it hasn’t, then start over; your milk was either too hot or too cold.
2. Once yeast begins to foam, add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and butter. Mix until well combined. Next stir in flour and salt slowly until a dough begins to form. knead dough for about 8 minutes. Dough should be super soft and elastic.
3. Transfer dough ball to a well oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
4. After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 14x9 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a ¼ inch margin at the far side of the dough.
5. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle mixture over the buttered dough, then gently rub in into the butter a little. Tightly roll dough up, starting from the 14 inch side and place seam side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can. Cut into 12 pieces with a serrated knife or floss. You should get 12 large pieces.
6. Place cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x12 inch baking pan or silicone matt on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap and towel and bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. You want to underbake them a little so they stay soft in the middle, that’s why we want them just slightly golden brown. Allow them to cool for a 5 minutes before frosting. Makes 12 cinnamon rolls.
8. To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Spread over cinnamon rolls and serve immediately

Notes

1. To make overnight cinnamon rolls: After placing rolls into the greased pan, simply cover, place overnight in the fridge and then bake them in the morning as directed. I like to bring my cinnamon rolls to room temperature first by leaving them on the counter for 30 minutes before baking.