Soft and Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Soft and Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons water; 3 tablespoons whole milk; 2 tablespoons bread flour; 1/2 cup warm whole milk; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 1/2 cups bread flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon milk

These bakery style cinnamon rolls use a simple starter method to stay incredibly soft and fresh for days.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· American· November 2, 2026

easy.enzo81.xyz

Prep

30 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

2 hours 30 minutes

Serves

I have tried many recipes over the years, but these are the ones my family always asks for. They are perfectly sweet and the dough is so tender it practically melts in your mouth.

The secret is a quick starter made with flour and milk. It might sound fancy, but it only takes a few minutes on the stove and makes the dough stay soft much longer than regular recipes.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons bread flour
1/2 cup warm whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk

12Instructions

1
Make the starter paste by whisking 3 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons milk, and 2 tablespoons flour in a small pan over medium heat.
2
Stir the paste constantly for about 2 minutes until it becomes thick, then move it to a small bowl to cool for a few minutes.
3
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast, then stir in the cooled paste, egg, and melted butter.
4
Add the remaining flour and salt, then mix until a soft dough forms.
5
Knead the dough for about 5 to 7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic, then place it in a greased bowl.
6
Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
7
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, then spread the softened butter all over.
8
Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, sprinkle it evenly over the butter, and roll the dough up into a tight log.
9
Cut the log into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
10
Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for about 30 to 45 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
11
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the rolls are just lightly golden on top.
12
Whisk the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together until smooth, then spread it over the warm rolls.

Tips

If you want to serve these fresh for breakfast, you can shape the rolls the night before and let them rise in the fridge overnight. Just take them out 30 minutes before baking the next morning. Store any leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature to keep them soft.

#baking #breakfast #dessert #cinnamon rolls #comfort food

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