Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your kitchen? These deliciuos Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are a sweet cinnamon dream come true. Each roll is topped with a creamy, tangy glaze that’s almost too good to be true. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or sneaking one in as a late-night treat (no judgment here!).

Now, let’s talk about that dough: it might look a little shaggy at first – don’t worry! Keep mixing, and it’ll come together smooth and elastic. Trust the process! And when it comes to the cream cheese frosting, let’s be honest – you might want to double it. I mean, is there such a thing as too much cream cheese frosting? I don’t think so. Generously slather it on and watch these rolls go from amazing to unforgettable.

Let’s take a quick peek at how to make them, shall we?

Ingredients

For the Dough

4 cups flour
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling

3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened

For the Glaze

4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed for desired consistency)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

Warm the milk slightly, just until it’s above room temperature (do not exceed 40°C/104°F). If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast and the dough will not rise. Stir in the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
Mix until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Keep mixing! Soon, it will transform into a smooth, elastic dough.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled.

2. Form the Rolls

Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
Brush the surface with softened butter. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Dough rolled out into a rectangle and slathered with butter and small container of cinnamon sugar by it.

Dough rolled into a rectangle and covered with butter and cinnamon sugar.

Roll it up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 equal rolls.

Dough filled with cinnamon sugar mixture rolled into a log shape.

Unbaked cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake the Rolls

Arrange rolls in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish, leaving space between them. Cover with a towel and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Prepare the Glaze

While the rolls bake, mix the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, then milk as needed for a smooth, spreadable glaze.

Woman holding a cinnamon roll that has been torn in half.

5. Finish and Serve

Let the rolls cool slightly, then generously spread the cream cheese glaze. Enjoy immediately!

Stack of freshly baked cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.

Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

These irresistible cinnamon rolls are packed with warm cinnamon flavor and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting that you might want to double! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime treat, these rolls are simple to make and incredibly satisfying.

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Course: Breads

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 25

Rising + Cooling Time: 40

Total Time: 1 30

Servings:

Calories: 366kcal

Author: Lynda – Southern Kissed

Ingredients

For the Dough

4 cups flour
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons yeast
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter melted
1 large egg
½ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

¾ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
¼ cup butter softened

For the Frosting

4 tablespoons cream cheese softened
2 tablespoons butter softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

Warm the milk slightly until it’s just above room temperature (do not exceed 40°C/104°F). Stir in the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the frothy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Form the Rolls

Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
Brush the entire surface of the dough with melted butter. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, then evenly sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough.
Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.

Bake the Rolls

Arrange the rolls in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish, leaving a little space between each one. Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Prepare the Frosting

While the rolls are baking, mix the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. If the glaze is too thick, add milk a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Finish and Serve

After baking, let the rolls cool slightly in the pan. Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls.

Nutrition

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If you love cinnamon rolls as much as we do, be sure to check out our cinnamon roll recipe using a milk bread starter.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Warm Ingredients: Use warm (not hot!) milk and butter to help the dough rise beautifully.
Shaggy Dough: The dough will start off shaggy but keep mixing; it will smooth out with a little patience! If you have a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, use it to make your life easier!
Frosting Lovers: Double the frosting recipe if you’re a serious fan – no one’s stopping you!

Substitutions & Variations

Filling Substitutions: Swap cinnamon for apple butter or a dollop of Nutella for a different flavor.
Dairy-Free: Try almond milk and vegan butter in the dough and filling.
Alternative Glazes: Drizzle with caramel or chocolate for a decadent twist!

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate: Up to 5 days; reheat before serving.
Freezing: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months.

These Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are sure to impress and might just become your new go-to indulgence. Give them a try, and let us know how they turned out! We’d love to hear your unique twists, so share in the comments below.