Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a classic baked treat that fills your kitchen with a delightful aroma of cinnamon and sugar. The soft, fluffy dough is rolled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and then baked to perfection. This recipe will guide you through making these delicious rolls from scratch, ensuring each bite is warm, gooey, and irresistible.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ tsp salt

For the filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

For the glaze (optional):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk or cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Prepare the Dough:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and melted butter. Mix until combined, then knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
3. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Filling:
5. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. You can also mix in chopped nuts if using.

Roll and Fill:

1. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
2. Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
3. Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log as shown in the image.
4. Cut the rolled dough into even slices and place them into a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll.

Second Rise:

1. Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they are puffy and have filled the space in the pan.
2. Bake:
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
4. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Prepare the Glaze (Optional):

• While the rolls are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Finish and Serve:

Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Can I freeze homemade cinnamon rolls?

Yes, you can par-bake the homemade cinnamon rolls and then freeze them. Bake the pan of cinnamon rolls as instructed in a heavy-duty aluminum pan but pull them out 5 minutes early. Do not frost them. Once they cool down completely, first cover them in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, bring the cinnamon rolls to room temperature, remove the coverings, bake for 5 -10 minutes, and frost.