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Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 98 reviews

This Easy One Hour Cinnamon Rolls recipe delivers soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and a creamy cream cheese icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or dessert, these rolls are quick to prepare using a warm proofing method and bake to a golden brown finish in under an 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. Prepare the butter and milk: Melt 1/2 stick of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 40-45 seconds until fully melted. In the same bowl, heat 1 cup of milk for 45 seconds.
  2. Mix yeast activation liquid: Pour melted butter into a medium bowl and add the warmed milk. Use a digital thermometer to ensure the mixture is between 100°F and 110°F to activate the yeast properly.
  3. Add sugar and yeast: Stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar and one packet of active dry yeast until dissolved. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
  4. Preheat oven for proofing: While waiting for the yeast to activate, preheat your oven to its lowest setting (around 170°F).
  5. Mix dough ingredients: Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add 1 large egg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour in 1/2 cup increments, folding with a spatula until combined. Use hands to incorporate the last of the flour to get a soft, slightly tacky dough.
  6. Proof the dough: Form the dough into a ball, cover it with a cloth, turn the oven off, and place the dough inside the warm oven to proof for 10 minutes.
  7. Prepare cinnamon sugar filling: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well mixed. Set aside.
  8. Roll out the dough: Transfer the proofed dough to a lightly floured surface or pastry mat and roll into a 14″ x 18″ rectangle, about 1/4″ thick.
  9. Preheat oven for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  10. Spread filling: Using an offset spatula, spread the cinnamon sugar butter mixture evenly over the dough, almost to the edges.
  11. Roll into a log: Starting from the short side closest to you, tightly roll the dough vertically away from you to form a log.
  12. Cut into rolls: Pre-mark the log into 12 even slices by halving, quartering, and then making three slices in each quarter. Cut slowly using a serrated knife with back-and-forth sawing motions to avoid squashing or leaking filling.
  13. Arrange in pan and bake: Place the 12 cinnamon rolls into a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until light golden brown.
  14. Cool rolls: Let the cinnamon rolls cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack after baking.
  15. Prepare cream cheese icing: While rolls are cooling, beat together 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2-4 tablespoons milk (adding 1 tbsp at a time) until smooth. Adjust milk for desired thickness.
  16. Ice and serve: Spread the cream cheese icing over the warm cinnamon rolls, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a digital thermometer to ensure the milk mixture is between 100-110°F for proper yeast activation.
  • Do not press too hard when cutting the cinnamon rolls to keep filling intact.
  • Proofing the dough in a warm oven speeds up rising for quicker baking.
  • Add milk gradually to the icing to control thickness.
  • For softer rolls, use whole milk or 2% milk as recommended.

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, quick cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, breakfast pastries

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