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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- First Rise: Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Dough Surface: Flour your counter and gently transfer the dough, flipping to coat all sides with flour.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll the dough into a 15”x24” rectangle.
- 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.
- Cut Dough: Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise, then slice into 1-inch strips.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Cream and Bake: Pour warm heavy cream over rolls. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- 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.
- 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
