## Why Make This Recipe
Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful treat that can brighten anyone’s day. Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your home. They are warm, sweet, and have that perfect gooey texture that everyone loves. It's a simple recipe that anyone can follow, whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner. These rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a dessert. The combination of cinnamon and sugar, along with cream cheese icing, takes this bread to another level. Plus, they are a great way to bring family and friends together. Making these rolls is an excellent opportunity to share love and happiness through food.
## How to Make Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Creating these delicious cinnamon rolls requires a bit of patience, but the results are worth it. Follow the steps closely, and soon you will have your own batch of soft, gooey, and delicious rolls. Let’s get started!
### Ingredients
To make Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk (100 to 110°F [35 to 42°C])
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
### Directions
1. **Activate the Yeast:** Start by taking a small bowl. Combine the warm milk and honey. Carefully sprinkle the instant yeast over the mixture. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step is crucial, as foamy yeast indicates that your yeast is alive and ready.
2. **Mix the Dry Ingredients:** In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. This will help to evenly distribute the salt and prepare the dry ingredients for mixing.
3. **Combine Ingredients:** Once your yeast has foamed up, add the yeast mixture and the eggs to the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix everything together until a rough dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon or your hands for this step.
4. **Knead the Dough:** Add the pieces of room temperature butter to your dough. Knead for 8-10 minutes. You want to do this until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
5. **First Rise:** Shape your kneaded dough into a ball. Place it in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size.
6. **Prepare Filling:** While your dough rises, take a small bowl and mix together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This mixture will create the sweet filling for your rolls.
7. **Roll Out the Dough:** Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16 x 12 inches.
8. **Spread the Butter:** Brush the melted butter over the surface of the rolled-out dough. This will help the filling stick and give added flavor.
9. **Add the Filling:** Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered dough. Make sure to cover the entire surface.
10. **Roll the Dough:** Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough tightly. Once you reach the other edge, pinch the seams to seal the roll.
11. **Slice the Rolls:** Using a sharp knife or a sharp string, cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces. Place each piece in a greased baking dish, making sure they are close but not touching.
12. **Second Rise:** Cover the baking dish with a towel and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes until they are puffy.
13. **Make the Cream Cheese Icing:** In a bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Then, add in the vanilla and salt. Gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar until everything is well combined and creamy.
14. **Bake the Rolls:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the oven is ready, put your rolls in and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You want them to be golden brown on top.
15. **Ice the Rolls:** After baking, let the rolls cool for a few minutes. Then, spread your cream cheese icing over the warm rolls. This way, the icing will melt slightly and soak into the rolls, making them even more delightful.
## How to Serve Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Serving these Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls can make your breakfast or snack time special. You can serve them warm right out of the oven for a cozy breakfast. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You could even add fresh fruit on the side for a balanced meal. If you’re serving them at a brunch, set them out on a platter with the icing on the side. This allows your guests to add as much or as little icing as they prefer.
## How to Store Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
To keep your Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls fresh, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay good for about 2 to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can store them in the refrigerator, where they will last up to a week. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or until warm. If you have leftover icing, store that in a separate container in the fridge as well.
## Tips to Make Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
- **Temperature Matters:** Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, when activating the yeast. Hot milk can kill the yeast, and your rolls won’t rise properly.
- **Don’t Rush the Rising:** Allowing the dough to rise fully is key to making fluffy cinnamon rolls. The first rise should be until it doubles, and the second rise should be until they are puffy.
- **Use Good Quality Ingredients:** Fresh ingredients yield better results. Using good quality cinnamon and fresh yeast makes a difference in the flavor.
- **Experiment with Fillings:** If you want to change things up, consider adding nuts, raisins, or even chocolate chips to the filling.
## Variations
While the classic Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls are a hit, you can also customize them. For a pumpkin twist, add pumpkin puree and spices to the dough. For a chocolate version, mix chocolate chips into your filling. You can also use different flavored extracts, like almond or maple, in the icing for a unique taste.
## FAQs
**1. Can I make the dough in advance?**
Yes! You can prepare the dough, let it rise, then shape it. Place the shaped rolls in the refrigerator overnight. Let them rise again at room temperature before baking.
**2. Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls?**
Absolutely! You can freeze baked or unbaked rolls. If freezing baked rolls, wrap them tightly and store them in a freezer-safe container. They will last about 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.
**3. What should I do if my dough doesn’t rise?**
If your dough doesn’t rise, it could be due to old yeast or the temperature being too cold. Ensure your yeast is fresh and keep your dough in a warm place during the rising process.
Soft and Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
These soft and gooey cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast or dessert, featuring a warm blend of cinnamon and sugar with cream cheese icing.
Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and honey. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and eggs to the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
- Shape the kneaded dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
Filling and Rolling
- In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to prepare the filling.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle, about 16 x 12 inches.
- Brush melted butter over the surface of the rolled dough.
- Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered dough.
- Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly and pinch the seams to seal.
- Slice the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased baking dish.
Baking
- Cover the baking dish and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the rolls cool for a few minutes, then spread cream cheese icing over the warm rolls.
Icing Preparation
- Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth, then add vanilla and salt.
- Gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar until creamy.
Notes
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.