Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

I absolutely love this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe because it brings that warm, cozy bakery smell right to your kitchen. There’s just something magical about that soft, fluffy dough wrapped lovingly around sweet cinnamon and brown sugar, topped off with the creamiest frosting. When you try this at home, you’ll realize it’s the perfect weekend project or a special treat for family mornings.

What makes this recipe stand out is how approachable it is — even if you’re not a seasoned baker, I’ll walk you through each step with tips that helped me get it perfect every time. Plus, the cream cheese frosting is my favorite part: tangy, smooth, and just sweet enough to complement those cinnamon swirls perfectly. Once you master this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, your house will smell like a bakery, and your family will go crazy for these.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, each ingredient plays its part in delivering that soft richness and classic cinnamon sweetness. I always recommend using fresh yeast and whole milk for the best texture and flavor.

• Active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise beautifully; make sure it’s fresh and proofed in warm milk.
• Warm whole milk: The warmth activates yeast but be careful not to overheat and kill it.
• Sugar (white and brown): White sugar sweetens the dough, and brown sugar adds that deep caramel cinnamon swirl flavor.
• Butter: Melted for the dough for richness and softened for filling and frosting to get creamy textures.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs help create a tender dough and improve structure.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors without making it taste salty.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure, but you want to be gentle adding it so your rolls stay soft and fluffy.
• Cinnamon: Essential for that signature warm and spicy flavor.
• Cream cheese: The key to dreamy frosting – make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor to the frosting.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Creates that smooth, velvety frosting texture.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how you can easily personalize it. Whether you want to add nuts, swap out the filling, or even tweak it for dietary needs, it’s super flexible.

• Add nuts or raisins: I sometimes sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for a lovely crunch—my family adores that texture contrast.
• Use maple syrup instead of sugar: For a more natural sweetness and subtle flavor change, I’ve replaced brown sugar with maple syrup, and it tastes amazing.
• Gluten-free version: Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend designed for baking; just be mindful of the dough’s tackiness and rising times.
• Spice it up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar adds a wonderful warmth and depth.

How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast and Mix the Dough

Start by sprinkling the yeast over your warm milk—this sets the stage for those beautiful, fluffy rolls. Let it sit for a few minutes until it’s foamy. Then add your eggs, melted butter, and sugar, mixing until combined. When you add the salt and flour, mix just until it barely comes together to avoid a tough dough. This part confused me at first, but taking your time here really pays off with dough that’s tender and stretchy.

Step 2: Knead and Let the Dough Rise

Once the ingredients are mixed, switch to the dough hook and knead for about 6-8 minutes until the dough feels smooth and elastic—it should be slightly tacky but not sticky. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, roughly an hour. I like putting mine near my oven or on top of my fridge for consistent warmth.

Step 3: Roll Out and Add the Filling

After your dough has doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface into an 11×8-inch rectangle. Brush the surface with softened butter, then sprinkle that heavenly mix of brown sugar and cinnamon, leaving about a half-inch border around the edges. Rolling it up jelly-roll style can be tricky, so take it slow and pinch the seam tightly to keep the filling inside during baking.

Step 4: Slice, Rise Again, and Bake

Cut the rolled dough into 8 to 12 slices and place them cut-side down in a greased baking pan. Cover them again with a towel and let rise until puffed and doubled—about another hour. Warm and cozy is key here; I sometimes preheat the oven to 200°F for just a minute, then turn it off and place the pan inside to encourage rising. Finally, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, then cool slightly on wire racks before frosting.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls bake or cool, beat together softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting reaches your desired thickness and sweetness. I love spreading it thickly while the rolls are still warm so it melts into every crevice—the absolute best part!

How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I typically keep it simple with a dusting of extra cinnamon or a light sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on top of the frosting. If you’re feeling fancy for guests, a drizzle of salted caramel adds a wonderful depth and flair to these already rich rolls.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls go great with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, and I often pair them with fresh fruit like berries or citrus slices to balance out the sweetness. For brunch spreads, scrambled eggs and crispy bacon complement the rolls amazingly well.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I arrange the rolls in a circular pattern on a round platter and top them individually with dollops of frosting and a cherry or small edible flower. This turns them into a show-stopping centerpiece your guests will admire before digging in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cinnamon rolls covered tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If my kitchen is warm, I pop them in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh without it getting too melty.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I usually freeze the unbaked rolled slices on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. When I’m ready, I thaw them in the fridge overnight, let them rise again, and bake fresh. You can also freeze fully baked and frosted rolls—just thaw and warm gently before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a cinnamon roll in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. The cream cheese frosting can soften quickly, so watch closely to avoid melting it off completely. Reheating this way keeps the rolls soft and delicious.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly special to me because it combines that classic bakery treat with the comfort of home baking. I love how each batch fills my kitchen with irresistible aromas and brings everyone to the table with big smiles. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the process as much as the final fluffy, sweet rolls that practically melt in your mouth.

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