Pillow Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Print-Friendly)

Fluffy cinnamon rolls with buttery swirl and cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 2 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, very soft

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

11 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
15 - 2-3 tbsp milk

# How To Make It:

01 - Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand until frothy, about 5-7 minutes.
02 - Add remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
04 - Punch down dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle.
05 - Spread soft butter evenly over dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
06 - Starting from a long edge, tightly roll up the dough. Pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal rolls.
07 - Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 35-45 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
09 - While rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk for a spreadable glaze.
10 - Let rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread glaze over warm rolls. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cinnamon rolls stay impossibly soft for days, something I discovered by accident when we had unexpected weekend guests and I had to make them ahead.
  • The balance between the buttery cinnamon filling and tangy cream cheese glaze creates this perfect moment where you close your eyes with the first bite, every single time.
02 -
  • The milk temperature is crucial, too hot and youll kill the yeast, too cool and it wont activate properly, I now use a thermometer after ruining a whole batch on Christmas morning.
  • Letting the rolls rise next to a steaming bowl of water creates the perfect humid environment for that pillow-soft texture I chased for years.
03 -
  • Brush the edges of your dough rectangle with water before rolling it up to ensure a perfect seal that wont unravel during baking.
  • For the most even rise, position rolls in the baking dish so their sides barely touch, allowing them room to expand while still supporting each other.
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