The Best Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe for the best cinnamon rolls yields one dozen decadent cinnamon rolls with a sweet cream cheese frosting. They may be the best you've ever had.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 570 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.125 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2.5 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

Step 3

Microwave milk in a microwave-safe bowl until warm but not hot to the touch, 45 to 60 seconds. An instant-read thermometer should read about 105 degrees F (41 degrees C). Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook.

Step 4

Stir yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar into warm milk; let sit (proof) until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar, 6 tablespoons melted butter, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; beat until combined.

Step 5

Add 4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; beat, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high speed, until forms a large ball of smooth and slightly tacky dough. Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough seems too sticky, until forms a smooth ball.

Step 6

Transfer dough to a floured surface; knead with your hands until smooth and elastic, 3 to 5 minutes. Form into a ball; place in a large, lightly oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with a warm, damp towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Step 7

Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, 6 tablespoons softened butter, and 2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon in a small bowl; set filling aside.

Step 8

Gently punch down dough and transfer to a large, floured work surface; roll into a 24x12-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Spread filling over dough with greased hands or a greased spatula. Roll up dough; cut into 12 equal-sized rolls, about 2-inches long.

Step 9

Line a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper; lightly grease paper. Place cinnamon rolls into the prepared baking dish in 4 evenly spaced rows. Cover dish; let rise until nearly doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.

Step 10

Meanwhile, beat confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth; keep frosting at room temperature while rolls bake.

Step 11

Spread frosting on warm rolls; cool before serving.