Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate comfort bake—soft, fluffy swirls of sweet yeast dough layered with buttery cinnamon sugar and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. This classic bakery favorite is loved across the world for its warm spices, tender texture, and indulgent finish. Fresh from the oven, cinnamon rolls fill the kitchen with an irresistible aroma that instantly feels cozy and welcoming.

Homemade cinnamon rolls may seem like a special-occasion treat, but with the right recipe, they’re surprisingly achievable at home. This version is designed to deliver bakery-style results with clear steps, simple ingredients, and a foolproof method that yields perfectly soft rolls every time.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it creates pillowy-soft cinnamon rolls with a perfectly balanced frosting—not overly sweet, but rich and creamy. The dough is tender and flavorful, the cinnamon filling is warm and fragrant, and the cream cheese frosting melts beautifully over the warm rolls. It’s a recipe that never fails to impress.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dish

• Bakery-quality cinnamon rolls made at home
• Soft, fluffy texture with gooey centers
• Rich cream cheese frosting with perfect tang
• Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
• A crowd-pleasing treat for any occasio

Recipe Overview

Course: Breakfast / Dessert
Cuisine: American
Preparation Time: 30 minutes (active)
Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories (approx.): 420 calories per roll

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg

For the Cinnamon Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions

Prepare a soft yeast dough, let it rise, roll it out and spread with butter and cinnamon sugar, roll and slice into rounds, bake until golden, and finish with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a bowl, mix warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough
Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

Step 6: Roll and Fill
Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture.

Step 7: Shape the Rolls
Roll tightly into a log and slice into 12 equal pieces.

Step 8: Second Rise
Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Step 9: Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 10: Frost
Beat frosting ingredients until smooth and spread over warm rolls.

How to Serve

Serve cinnamon rolls warm with extra frosting on top if desired. They pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or milk and are perfect for brunches, holidays, or cozy weekends.

Recipe Tips

• Use room-temperature ingredients for best results
• Don’t over-flour the dough to keep rolls soft
• Slice rolls using dental floss for clean cuts
• Frost rolls while warm so frosting melts slightly

Variations

Nutty Cinnamon Rolls
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.

Maple Frosting Rolls
Replace vanilla with maple syrup in the frosting.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Add finely diced apples to the cinnamon filling.

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
Sprinkle chocolate chips over the filling before rolling.

Pumpkin Spice Rolls
Add pumpkin spice to the filling and a little pumpkin puree to the dough.

Freezing and Storage

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days

Freezing:

• Freeze baked (unfrosted) rolls for up to 2 months
• Thaw and warm before frosting and serving

Special Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Electric mixer (for frosting)
• Oven

Conclusion

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are a timeless treat that bring warmth, comfort, and indulgence to any table. With their soft, fluffy layers, rich cinnamon filling, and luscious frosting, these rolls are worth every step of the process. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet and homemade, this recipe delivers bakery-style perfection every time.