Decadent Cream Cheese Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in the delightful warmth of these Decadent Cream Cheese Frosted Cinnamon Rolls! Soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon, these rolls are the ultimate treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Made with a sweet dough that rises beautifully and filled with a heavenly blend of brown sugar and cinnamon, each roll is then generously slathered with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone reaching for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
1 cup (warmed to 105°F)
flour
4 1/2 cups (all-purpose)
active dry yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons (instant yeast preferred)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (plus 1 tablespoon for activating yeast)
unsalted butter
1 cup (1/3 cup melted for dough, 1/4 cup softened for spreading, and 1/3 cup cold for frosting)
salt
1 teaspoon (coarse or fine sea salt)
eggs
2 (at room temperature)
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
cinnamon
3 tablespoons (ground)
cream cheese
8 ounces (cold and softened)
powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure vanilla extract)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these cinnamon rolls decadent?
These cinnamon rolls are considered decadent because of their soft, fluffy dough, a rich filling of brown sugar and cinnamon, and a generous topping of tangy cream cheese frosting.
What temperature should the milk be for the dough?
The milk should be warmed to 105°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
What type of yeast is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast, though instant yeast is preferred for the best results.
How much flour is required?
You will need 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour to make the dough for these cinnamon rolls.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 eggs, which should be at room temperature before being added to the dough.
What is the total amount of butter needed?
You will need a total of 1 cup of unsalted butter, divided for use in the dough, filling, and frosting.
How is the butter divided in the recipe?
The 1 cup of butter is used as follows: 1/3 cup melted for the dough, 1/4 cup softened for the filling, and 1/3 cup cold for the frosting.
What kind of sugar is used for the filling?
The filling uses 1 cup of packed brown sugar mixed with cinnamon.
How much cinnamon is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon for the filling.
What are the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting?
The frosting is made from 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/3 cup cold butter, 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Should the powdered sugar be sifted for the frosting?
Yes, sifting the 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar ensures the frosting has a smooth, lump-free texture.
What kind of salt should I use?
You can use 1 teaspoon of either coarse or fine sea salt in this recipe.
Why do the eggs need to be at room temperature?
Room temperature eggs emulsify better into the dough, leading to a more consistent texture and better rise.
Can I use granulated sugar in the dough?
Yes, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar is used in the dough, with an additional 1 tablespoon used specifically for activating the yeast.
What type of vanilla extract is recommended?
Pure vanilla extract is recommended to provide the best flavor for the cream cheese frosting.
How many ingredients are in this cinnamon roll recipe?
There are 12 primary ingredients: milk, flour, yeast, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, salt, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Is this recipe suitable for a brunch?
Yes, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a dessert.
What should the consistency of the cream cheese be for the frosting?
The 8 ounces of cream cheese should be cold yet softened enough to be whipped into a smooth frosting.
What is the purpose of the 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar?
That specific tablespoon of sugar is used to feed and activate the yeast in the warm milk.
Can I use all-purpose flour for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
How is the filling applied to the dough?
The dough is spread with 1/4 cup of softened butter and then sprinkled with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
What are the suggested tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged with: cinnamon rolls, dessert, breakfast, brunch, cream cheese frosting, sweet rolls, baking, and homemade.
Is the dough for these rolls sweet?
Yes, it is a sweet dough made with granulated sugar and enriched with milk, butter, and eggs.
Can I use active dry yeast?
Yes, the recipe lists active dry yeast, but notes that instant yeast is the preferred version.
Is the brown sugar packed or loose?
The 1 cup of brown sugar for the filling should be firmly packed.
How much salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
What makes the frosting tangy?
The tanginess comes from the 8 ounces of cream cheese used as the base of the frosting.
How many cinnamon rolls does this make?
The specific serving count is not provided, but it is described as a crowd-pleaser perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Should the butter in the frosting be melted?
No, the butter for the frosting should be cold to help maintain a thick, creamy structure.
What is the primary flavor profile of these rolls?
The primary flavors are warm cinnamon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy, creamy vanilla frosting.