These are the BEST homemade cinnamon rolls. They are fluffy and pillowy, ooey and gooey, and are topped with a delicious cream cheese icing. If I could rest my head on these at night when I go to bed, I would.
2 ½cups(313grams)all purpose flourplus more for kneading
1packageinstant yeastmust be instant! 1 standard package of yeast is 2 ¼ teaspoons.
¼cup(50grams)granulated sugar
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
¾cup(180mL)whole milkroom temperature
1eggroom temperature
¼cup(57grams)unsalted buttermelted and cooled
Cinnamon Filling
¼cup(57grams)unsalted buttersoftened and spreadable
⅔cup(133grams)brown sugarlight or dark works!
1tablespoonground cinnamon
Egg Wash
1egglightly beaten
Cream Cheese Frosting
18 oz packagecream cheeseroom temperature
1cup(120grams)powdered sugar
½teaspoonvanilla extract
¼teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if kneading by hand), whisk together the flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, salt and nutmeg.
Add the milk, egg and melted and cooled butter.
Kneading
If you are using a stand mixer, using the hook attachment, mix on low-medium speed until the dough comes together, scraping the flour off the sides of the bowl if necessary. Once the dough forms, turn the mixer up to medium speed and knead for an additional 8-10 minutes. If the dough is sticking to the bottom/sides of the bowl, add more flour tablespoon by tablespoon. You may need to add an extra 4-5 tablespoons of flour. The dough should come together and be slightly sticky but smooth.
If you are making the dough by hand, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Lightly flour your work space (and your hands) and begin to knead the dough. If the dough is super sticky, add more flour tablespoon by tablespoon. You may need to add an additional 4-5 tablespoons of flour so it is not super sticky. Knead the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes. The dough should come together and be slightly sticky but smooth.
The dough is done kneading when it passes the window pane test. Rip off a small piece of dough and place it in between your fingers. Carefully, spread your fingers apart to stretch out the dough. If the dough stretches easily without ripping AND you can see light passing through it, it does not need anymore kneading. Additionally, if you press your finger into the dough and it bounces back, it is ready to go!
Once the dough is ready, transfer it to a well-oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm environment (in the microwave/in the oven - both OFF) for 1 ½ hours. It should double in size.
Filling
While the dough is rising, make the filling. Take the butter out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for a while so it becomes super soft and spreadable. You can microwave the butter for 5 seconds if necessary to soften it up.
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Once the dough has finished its first rise, grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan, or pie dish and set aside.
Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 12x16 inch rectangle. Spread the butter into an even and smooth layer across the rolled out dough.
Sprinkle on the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture so it is covering the butter. Using an offset spatula, back of a spoon, etc., or your hands (I find it easier with my hands) rub the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture completely into the butter.
Preparing the rolls and baking
Gently roll the dough into a log, beginning from the long side. Once the dough is completely rolled, with the seam side down, gently press on the top of the log just to secure it.
Cut the dough into 9 equal pieces by using a very sharp knife or a piece of floss. If using a piece of floss, place the floss underneath the dough with the ends coming up on the sides. Criss cross the floss over the dough and pull until a roll comes off.
Place your rolls into the prepared pan, cover, and leave the rolls to rise for another 35-40 minutes. They should fluff up.
When the dough has 5-10 minutes left to rise, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Lightly whisk an egg to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash on the edges of the rolls using a pastry brush or your finger.
Place the rolls in the oven and bake them for 24-26 minutes until slightly golden on top.
Cream Cheese Frosting
While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt until super smooth. Once the rolls are cooled, spread the frosting on top of the rolls. Enjoy!