Pillow Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)

Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls with buttery swirl and creamy glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.

# 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 (about 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 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 roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
05 - Spread soft butter evenly over dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
06 - Starting from a long edge, tightly roll up dough and 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 consistency.
10 - Let rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread glaze over warm rolls. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dough rises into impossibly fluffy layers that pull apart like clouds
  • You get bakery-quality results without any fancy techniques or equipment
  • The make-ahead option lets you wake up to fresh-baked heaven
02 -
  • Hot milk will kill your yeast instantly, test it on your wrist like baby formula
  • Over-kneading makes tough rolls, stop once the dough feels smooth and bounces back
  • Use dental floss to slice rolls, it is cleaner than a knife and squishes the dough less
03 -
  • Warm your oven slightly and let dough rise inside if your kitchen is drafty
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning
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