Pillow Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Fluffy cinnamon swirls with rich buttery sugar layers and creamy glaze, ideal for a cozy morning.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - 1 cup warm milk (approx. 110°F)
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, very soft

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk

# Directions:

01 - Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar; let stand until frothy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
02 - Add remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt to yeast mixture; mix until combined. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
04 - Punch down dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle.
05 - Evenly spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
06 - Tightly roll dough starting from a long edge, seal seam, and cut into 12 equal rolls.
07 - Arrange rolls in greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish, cover, and let rise until nearly doubled, about 35 to 45 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
09 - Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
10 - Cool rolls for 10 minutes, spread glaze over warm rolls, and serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The dough stays pillow-soft because we don't overwork it, which is the secret most recipes won't tell you.
  • You can make them the night before and bake fresh in the morning, turning breakfast into something that feels completely homemade without the early wake-up.
  • The cream cheese glaze strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet, making people actually pause mid-conversation to compliment your baking.
02 -
  • Overworking the dough makes rolls tough instead of tender, so mix just until combined and don't knead longer than 8 minutes or you'll regret it.
  • The warm milk temperature is non-negotiable because water that's too hot kills the yeast and water that's too cold won't activate it at all.
03 -
  • Keep your dough slightly sticky rather than dry because that's what creates the tender crumb everyone will rave about.
  • If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, use it for kneading since it gives you perfectly developed dough without the arm workout.
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