Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with a sweet mixture, topped with creamy frosting for a delightful breakfast treat.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup milk (whole) Warm but not hot
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sugar (granulated)
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 standard sized packet) Use fresh yeast for best results
- 3 cups all purpose flour (+ extra for kneading) For kneading surface
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons butter (salted, melted) For brushing dough
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1½ cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons butter (reserved to brush on hot rolls before adding frosting)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare your baking dish by coating it with melted butter or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the instant yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Stir in 3 cups of flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together. Knead on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Roll the risen dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick. Brush with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over the rolled-out dough.
- Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log and cut it into 1-inch thick slices. Place these in the prepared baking dish.
- Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Prepare the cream cheese frosting while baking.
Make the Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Once the rolls are baked, brush the tops with reserved melted butter and let them cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese frosting on top.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding nuts or raisins. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 3 months.