Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Introduction

These mini cinnamon rolls are soft, buttery, and packed with sweet cinnamon filling. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they’re easy to make and topped with a rich, creamy icing that melts on warm rolls.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup milk
• 6 tbsp salted butter
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp + 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4-5 cups flour
• 2 tsp salt
• For the filling:
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, warm
• For the icing:
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Melt the salted butter and combine it with the warm milk, then set aside.
2. Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, warm water, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until bubbly and foamy.
3. Step 3: Add the milk and butter mixture to the mixer along with the remaining granulated sugar, eggs, 2 cups of flour, and salt in that order. Use the dough hook to combine.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the remaining flour, starting with 2 cups and more as needed. The dough should be soft but not sticky when tapped.
5. Step 5: Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour.
6. Step 6: Flour your counter and gently transfer the dough onto it, flipping once to coat all sides in flour.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough into a 15″x24″ rectangle.
8. Step 8: Brush the dough with melted butter, leaving about 1/2 inch along each long edge plain.
9. Step 9: Evenly sprinkle brown sugar on the buttered dough, then sprinkle cinnamon over the sugar. Press the mixture gently into the dough with a rolling pin.
10. Step 10: Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough in half lengthwise, then into 1-inch strips.
11. Step 11: Starting in the middle of each strip, roll the dough toward the plain edge. Brush a little water on the plain edge to help seal the rolls.
12. Step 12: Place the rolls on a greased cookie sheet, fitting 5 across and 6 down. Cover and place in a warm spot while preheating the oven to 375°F.
13. Step 13: Once preheated, pour the warm heavy cream over the rolls, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Step 14: While baking, cream the butter for the icing until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low and adding enough heavy cream to combine.
15. Step 15: Stir in vanilla extract and adjust icing consistency with more heavy cream if needed.
16. Step 16: Frost the warm cinnamon rolls generously and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a richer dough, substitute half the milk with cream or add an extra egg yolk.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
• Add chopped nuts or raisins to the filling for added texture and flavor.
• Use maple syrup instead of vanilla in the icing for a sweet twist.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm them briefly in the microwave before serving to refresh their softness. You can also freeze un-iced cinnamon rolls for up to 2 months; thaw and warm before icing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature and rise a bit more before shaping and baking.

What can I use if I don’t have a pizza cutter?

A sharp knife works well to cut the dough into strips. Just ensure the blade is clean and dry for smooth cuts.

Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 112 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 30 mini cinnamon rolls 1x

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Description

Classic homemade mini cinnamon rolls made with a soft, fluffy dough brushed with melted butter and packed with a cinnamon-sugar filling, then topped with a rich vanilla cream cheese icing. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat any time of day.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 1/3 cup milk
• 6 tbsp salted butter
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp + 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4–5 cups flour
• 2 tsp salt

Filling

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, warm

Icing

• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Warm Milk and Butter: Warm the milk in the microwave for 1 minute, then melt the salted butter and combine with the warm milk. Set aside.
2. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix yeast, warm water, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly and foamy.
3. Mix Dough: Add the milk and butter mixture, remaining sugar, eggs, 2 cups flour, and salt to the yeast mixture in the stand mixer. Use the dough hook to combine.
4. Add Remaining Flour: Gradually add 2 more cups of flour and additional flour as needed until the dough is soft but not sticky to the touch.
5. First Rise: Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
6. Prepare Dough Surface: Flour your counter and gently transfer the dough, flipping to coat all sides with flour.
7. Roll Out Dough: Roll the dough into a 15”x24” rectangle.
8. Apply Filling: Brush melted butter over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border on the long sides. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly, then cinnamon. Press mixture into dough gently with a rolling pin.
9. Cut Dough: Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise, then slice into 1-inch strips.
10. Roll Strips: Starting from the middle of each strip, roll towards the plain dough edge, brushing water on the plain edge to seal the roll tightly.
11. Arrange Rolls: Place rolls on a greased cookie sheet, fitting about 5 across and 6 down. Cover and let rise in a warm spot while oven preheats to 375°F.
12. Add Cream and Bake: Pour warm heavy cream over rolls. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
13. Prepare Icing: Cream butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and enough heavy cream to combine, mixing on low. Stir in vanilla extract. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.
14. Frost Rolls: Spread the icing over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Notes

• Ensure yeast is bubbly and foamy before mixing to guarantee dough will rise.
• Dough should be soft but not sticky; add flour gradually.
• Allowing the dough to rise twice results in fluffy cinnamon rolls.
• Use a pizza cutter for clean, even strips.
• Warm the heavy cream before pouring over rolls for better absorption during baking.
• Adjust icing thickness with heavy cream to your preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, mini cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll recipe, breakfast pastries, sweet rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls