World's Greatest Cinnamon Rolls

Alright, I've promised to share this recipe ever since I taught my girlfriends how to make cinnamon rolls last weekend. This recipe was absolutely perfect and the best one I've found yet! The roll is soft and melts in your mouth, the center is packed full of cinnamon sugar goodness, and the cream cheese frosting is so light and fluffy... a little piece of heaven, folks!

Don't you worry, you can totally do this! As long as you stick to the steps, making these shouldn't be intimidating, even if you've never tried making them before!

Let me guide you through this simple process, and in the end your family/significant other/siblings/friends/etc. will be so impressed and begging for more.Promise!

Not to mention, these rolls would be the perfect hostess treat during the holidays. Just whip up a batch and bring them home to your mama... she'll love you forever. Nobody has to worry about breakfast and everything is still homemade! Freezes well too!



Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Inspired by Bon Appetit at Foodess




Dough

1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 1/2 cups (or more) unbleached all purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 1/4 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (from 2 envelopes yeast)
1 teaspoon salt
Pam or nonstick spray


Filling

3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 heaping tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature


Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
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Directions:

1) Combine milk and butter in glass measuring cup. Microwave on high until butter melts and mixture is just warmed, 30 to 45 seconds.

2) Pour into bowl of stand mixer and use the paddle attachment. Add 1 cup flour, sugar, egg, yeast (already prepared - see yeast packet instructions), and salt. Beat on low speed 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl.

3) Add 21/2 cups flour. Beat on low until flour is absorbed and dough is sticky, scraping down sides of bowl. If dough is very sticky, add more flour by tablespoonfuls until dough begins to form ball and pulls away from sides of bowl.

4) Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if sticky, about 8 minutes. Form into ball.

5) Lightly oil large bowl with nonstick spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.


For Filling:

1) Mix brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl.


2) Punch down dough. Transfer to floured work surface. Roll out to 15×11-inch rectangle. Spread butter over dough, leaving 1/2-inch border.

3) Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over butter. Starting at 1 long side, roll dough into log, pinching gently to keep it rolled up.

4) With seam side down, cut dough crosswise with thin sharp knife into 18 equal slices (each about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide).

5) Spray two 9-inch square glass baking dishes with nonstick spray. Divide rolls between baking dishes, arranging cut side up (there will be almost no space between rolls).

6) Cover baking dishes with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, 40 to 45 minutes.

7) Preheat oven to 375 degress. Position rack in center of oven .

8) Bake rolls until tops are golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and invert immediately onto rack. Cool 10 minutes. Turn rolls baked side up.




For Frosting:

1) Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth, light and fluffy

2) Spread frosting generously on the rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.




So, I hope you will give yourself some credit and have the confidence to tackle these! It really is WAY easier than it sounds, and as soon as I showed the girls, they felt confident to re-create this treat for their holiday celebrations!

After I made these, I got requests from my brother, friends and family to whip some up for them too! Good thing I have the day off today, right? Have a great weekend!


Bon Appetit!