Name: Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting – Sweet Easy Recipes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 52 min
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 packet instant yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¾ cup whole milk; ¼ cup water; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; ½ cup packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons milk, if needed

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Okay, so picture this: it’s Sunday morning, you’ve got your coziest socks on, coffee brewing, and these soft, gooey cinnamon rolls filling your kitchen with that warm, buttery-cinnamon scent that makes you wanna dance 💃. They’re the kind of treat that makes you say, ‘I’ll just have one’—and then three rolls later, you’re not even sorry. 😅 I made these on a whim once when I ran out of patience for the store-bought kind. You know the ones—kinda dry, kinda sad. Not these babies. These are pillowy-soft, loaded with cinnamon sugar, and dripping in cream cheese frosting that hugs every bite like a cozy blanket. 🧁 They’re ridiculously easy to make (yes, even if you’ve never baked anything without setting off your smoke alarm), and the dough comes together like a dream. No fancy mixer needed. Just a spoon, some elbow grease, and maybe a Taylor Swift playlist. So grab a baking dish and let’s roll.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
4) How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
6) Making Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Rolls
8) Try these Breakfast Recipes next!
9) Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

These cinnamon rolls are homemade, soft, gooey, and frosted with cream cheese.
The dough requires one quick rest but no overnight waiting.
You can make them in under an hour and they’re perfect for lazy weekends or special mornings.
They reheat well and freeze even better!

2) Easy Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Let’s just say, if comfort food had a smell, it’d be cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Soft, sweet dough filled with a buttery cinnamon swirl and topped with creamy frosting? Yes please 🙌. When I say this is one of my favorite sweet easy recipes, I’m not playing. These rolls have saved more sleepy Sunday mornings than I can count.

I first tried making homemade cinnamon rolls after one too many disappointments with store-bought ones that tasted more like cardboard than carbs. Once I figured out a no-fuss way to make them from scratch, I never looked back. And trust me, if I can pull this off before caffeine hits my brain, you can too.

This recipe isn’t just about the final result, it’s about the whole vibe—the mixing, the rolling, the aroma that basically hugs your whole kitchen 🏠. Whether you’re baking for brunch, dessert, or a late-night sweet tooth crisis, these rolls are your answer.

3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

All-purpose flour gives the dough its soft structure. I’ve tried fancy flours before, but honestly, good old all-purpose works best here.

Granulated sugar adds that light sweetness to the dough, just enough to balance the rich filling and frosting.

Instant yeast makes things easy. No blooming in water. Just toss it in and watch the magic happen.

Kosher salt brings balance to the sweetness. Don’t skip it. A pinch goes a long way in making the flavors pop.

Whole milk makes the dough rich and tender. Warm it just enough so it doesn’t kill the yeast—think cozy bath, not lava.

Water helps activate the yeast and keeps the dough soft and workable.

Unsalted butter adds flavor to both the dough and filling. Melt it for the dough, soften it for the rest. Butter is kind of the star here 🧈.

Large egg helps bind the dough and adds richness. Room temp is best so it mixes in smoothly.

Brown sugar and cinnamon team up to make that classic, dreamy swirl we all love. Sweet, spicy, and totally addictive.

Cream cheese for the frosting—softened, please. No one wants to fight lumps while whisking.

Powdered sugar makes the frosting light and fluffy. Start with less and add more as needed.

Vanilla extract brings everything together. I once ran out and skipped it. Never again. That drop makes a difference.

Milk, just a splash, if the frosting needs to loosen up. Optional but helpful if things get too thick.

4) How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1 Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a big bowl. Stir it up like you mean it.

Step 2 Warm the milk and water together until cozy to the touch, then mix that in with melted butter and your egg. Stir it into the dry ingredients.

Step 3 Knead the dough for 5-ish minutes. It should be smooth and springy, not sticky. Like playdough’s cool older cousin.

Step 4 Let it rest in a greased bowl for 10 minutes. Enough time for a coffee break ☕.

Step 5 Roll it into a rectangle, spread softened butter on it, then sprinkle with that cinnamon-sugar goodness.

Step 6 Roll it up tightly. Slice into 12 even-ish pieces. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect. We’re aiming for tasty, not Pinterest-perfect.

Step 7 Place in a greased pan. Cover and let them puff up for about 25 minutes.

Step 8 Bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes. If your house doesn’t smell like heaven, check if your oven’s on 😅.

Step 9 Mix your frosting while they bake. Cream cheese, butter, sugar, vanilla, maybe a splash of milk. Get it smooth and spreadable.

Step 10 Frost those warm rolls generously. Like, don’t hold back. You earned this.

5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Use sweet easy recipes like this one for your starting point. Don’t overthink the dough—it’s forgiving. I’ve messed up the flour ratio once and still ended up with edible rolls.

Let your ingredients warm up. Cold eggs or milk can slow yeast down, and no one wants to wait longer than necessary for these cinnamon-swirled beauties.

Use dental floss to slice the rolls. Sounds weird, works great. Just don’t use minty floss, unless cinnamon-mint is your thing.

Don’t overbake. The edges should be golden, but the centers should still be soft. If your kitchen smells like caramel and cinnamon, you’re probably there.

6) Making Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time

These are one of those sweet easy recipes that play well with prepping ahead. You can prep the dough the night before, cover tightly, and chill overnight.

When you wake up, just bring it to room temp and let it finish its second rise while you preheat the oven. Boom—fresh cinnamon rolls without early-morning effort.

Or go fully baked and just reheat. I’ve warmed them in the oven with foil over the top and they come out soft and ready for round two of frosting.

7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Rolls

Keep extras in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Pop one in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, and it’s like fresh-baked magic all over again 🌀.

You can freeze unfrosted rolls too. Just bake, cool, and stash them in a zip-top bag. Thaw, warm, then frost when the craving hits.

Don’t forget: frosting straight from the fridge is a sad time. Let it warm up a bit before spreading it on your reheated roll.

8) Try these Breakfast Recipes next!

9) Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting