Description
Make the softest, gooiewest homemade Cinnamon Buns with a rich cream cheese frosting. This recipe focuses on simplicity, giving you bakery-quality results without complicated steps. Prepare for a kitchen filled with sweet, comforting aromas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for yeast
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus 1/2 cup for filling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar for filling
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for filling
- **For Frosting:** 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
Instructions
- Warm the milk until it is lukewarm. Stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches.
- In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup softened butter (for filling), brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small margin on one long edge.
- Roll the dough up tightly starting from the long edge opposite the margin. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Cut the log into 12 even pieces, about 1.5 inches thick. Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cover the pan and let the rolls proof for another 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let the buns cool slightly while you prepare the frosting.
- For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until you reach a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Spread the frosting generously over the warm cinnamon buns. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra gooey centers, slightly underbake the rolls by 2 minutes. The residual heat will finish the cooking process while the frosting melts.
- If your kitchen is cold, place the dough bowl near a sunny window or in a turned-off oven with the light on to encourage rising.
- You can make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it after the first rise for baking the next morning. Add an extra 15 minutes to the second rise time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg