Cinnamon Rolls

← All Recipes

Published March 21, 2023  ·  ⭐ 5.0 (11 reviews)

Prep	Cook	Total	Yield
40 min	25 min	3 hr 30 min	12 rolls

Difficulty: Medium

---

Ingredients

Dough

• 500 g strong white bread flour
• 7 g instant yeast
• 8 g fine sea salt
• 60 g caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 240 ml whole milk, warm
• 80 g unsalted butter, softened

Filling

• 120 g unsalted butter, softened
• 160 g light brown sugar
• 2½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing

• 60 g unsalted butter
• 200 g full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 250 g icing sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp whole milk

---

Steps Overview

1. Mix and knead dough, proof until doubled
2. Make the filling; roll and spread onto dough
3. Roll up tightly, slice into 12 rolls
4. Proof in tin until puffy
5. Bake, then ice while warm

---

Step-by-Step

1. Make the dough

Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add eggs, warm milk, and butter. Knead with a dough hook for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and proof at warm room temperature for 1.5–2 hours until doubled.

2. Make the filling

Beat softened butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined.

3. Roll and fill

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 50 × 35 cm rectangle. Spread the filling evenly to within 1 cm of the edges. Roll up tightly from the long edge into a log.

4. Slice and arrange

Cut into 12 equal rolls with a sharp knife or unflavoured dental floss. Place cut-side up in a buttered 33 × 23 cm baking dish. Cover and proof for 45–60 minutes until puffy and touching.

5. Bake

Bake at 180 °C (fan 160 °C) for 22–25 minutes until golden. Do not overbake — the centres should be just set.

6. Make the icing

Brown the butter in a small pan until golden and nutty-smelling. Cool for 5 minutes. Beat with cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.

---

Notes

• Dental floss cuts rolls cleanly without squashing the spiral — much better than a knife.
• For overnight rolls: assemble, cover, and refrigerate after slicing. In the morning, bring to room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
• The browned butter in the icing adds a caramel depth that takes these to another level.
• Don't skimp on the filling — it should look like too much.