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Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.9 from 230 reviews

This Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls recipe delivers soft, fluffy rolls with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling and a creamy homemade cream cheese icing. Perfect for a weekend breakfast or special occasion, these rolls use a quick yeast activation and proofing method to produce bakery-style cinnamon rolls in about one hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 (0.25 ounce) packet active dry yeast (make sure it’s not expired!)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2–4 Tbsp milk (add 1 Tbsp at a time)

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter: Melt 1/2 stick unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 40-45 seconds until fully melted. Pour into a medium bowl and set aside.
  2. Heat Milk and Combine: Heat milk in the same bowl for 45 seconds, then pour it into the melted butter. Use a digital thermometer to ensure the mixture is between 100-110°F to properly activate the yeast.
  3. Activate Yeast: Stir in sugar and yeast until dissolved. Cover with a tea cloth or plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes until frothy and foamy.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to the lowest setting (about 170°F) to create a warm environment for proofing.
  5. Add Remaining Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, salt, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture once it’s frothy.
  6. Add Flour: Gradually add flour in 1/2 cup increments, folding in with a spatula or using your hands until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms.
  7. Proof Dough: Shape dough into a ball, cover with a tea cloth, place in the warm oven, and let proof for 10 minutes.
  8. Prepare Cinnamon Filling: Using an electric hand mixer, combine softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
  9. Roll Out Dough: Remove dough from oven and transfer to a greased or floured surface. Roll dough into a 14” x 18” rectangle about 1/4” thick.
  10. Spread Filling: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread prepared cinnamon sugar butter mixture evenly over dough, almost to the edges, using an offset spatula.
  11. Roll Dough Log: Starting with the short side facing you, roll dough tightly away from you to form a log.
  12. Pre-mark and Cut: Using a dough scraper or knife, pre-mark the log into 12 equal slices by halving, quartering, then slicing thirds in each section. Cut carefully with a serrated knife using a gentle sawing motion.
  13. Arrange Rolls: Place cinnamon roll slices into a 9×13 inch baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  14. Bake Rolls: Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until rolls are light golden brown.
  15. Cool Rolls: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  16. Prepare Icing: With an electric hand mixer, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (adding 1 tablespoon at a time) until smooth and at desired consistency.
  17. Ice and Serve: Spread cream cheese icing over warm cinnamon rolls, serve immediately, and enjoy.

Notes

  • Ensure yeast is fresh and milk temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast properly.
  • If dough is too sticky, add a little more flour gradually, but dough should remain soft.
  • Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to prevent filling from leaking out.
  • Adjust milk quantity in icing to achieve preferred drizzle or spreadable consistency.
  • For best results, allow rolls to cool slightly before applying cream cheese icing.
  • Use whole or 2% milk for richer flavor in dough.

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls, quick cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, breakfast rolls, cinnamon sugar rolls

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/easy-one-hour-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/