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Cozy Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Easy Recipe with Creamy Glaze

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These cinnamon rolls are a quick and easy holiday morning treat featuring soft, fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. Perfect for cozy mornings and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (about 480g)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (65g)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (one packet)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g), melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup whole milk (240ml), warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar (200g), packed
  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter (75g), softened
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (113g), softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g), softened
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (120-180g), sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk (30-45ml), to thin glaze as needed

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (110°F / 43°C) with sugar and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix flour and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn dough onto floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with stand mixer dough hook until soft, smooth, and slightly tacky.
  4. First rise: Form dough into a ball, place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Prepare the filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt until well combined.
  6. Roll out dough: Punch down dough and roll on floured surface into 16×12 inch (40×30 cm) rectangle.
  7. Spread filling evenly over dough, leaving a small border around edges.
  8. Roll and cut: Roll dough tightly from long edge into a log. Cut into 12 even rolls about 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) thick.
  9. Second rise: Place rolls cut side up in greased 9-inch (23 cm) round baking dish. Cover and let rise 30-40 minutes until puffy.
  10. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if tops brown too fast.
  11. Make glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and pourable.
  12. Glaze and serve: Let rolls cool 5 minutes after baking, then drizzle glaze generously. Serve warm.

Notes

Use warm milk at about 110°F to activate yeast properly. Knead dough until soft and smooth for best texture. Allow both rises for fluffy rolls. Soften cream cheese well before making glaze. For dairy-free, substitute plant-based milk and butter. For gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Avoid overmixing glaze to prevent runniness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, Christmas breakfast, creamy glaze, easy cinnamon rolls, holiday recipe, quick cinnamon rolls, soft dough, cinnamon sugar filling

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-christmas-morning-cinnamon-rolls-easy-recipe-with-creamy-glaze/