Few things are as satisfying as a warm, gooey cinnamon roll fresh from the oven. These Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate indulgence—soft, fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar, topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts into the layers. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Cinnamon Rolls
Why These Cinnamon Rolls Are the Best
Soft and Fluffy Dough: The dough is perfectly soft and pillowy, with just the right amount of chew. It’s enriched with butter and milk, giving it a rich texture that contrasts beautifully with the sweet cinnamon filling.
Cinnamon Sugar Swirls: The filling is a simple mix of brown sugar and cinnamon, creating that classic, sweet-spicy flavor we all love in cinnamon rolls. As the rolls bake, the sugar caramelizes slightly, adding depth to the flavor.
Luscious Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese frosting is smooth, tangy, and melts into the warm rolls, creating a sweet, creamy glaze that makes each bite heavenly. It’s the perfect finishing touch for these cinnamon rolls.
Ingredient Notes:
Dough:
- Vegan butter (such as Earth Balance): Adds richness and flavor to the dough, helping create a tender, soft texture without using dairy products.
- Instant yeast: Leavens the dough, helping it rise and become light and fluffy. Instant yeast works quickly, reducing proofing time.
- Unsweetened plain almond milk: A non-dairy milk that adds moisture to the dough while keeping it vegan. It also helps activate the yeast when warmed.
- Organic cane sugar: Feeds the yeast, aiding in the fermentation process, while also adding a touch of sweetness to the dough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the dough, giving it its soft, fluffy texture when baked.
Filling:
- Vegan butter (melted): Acts as the base for the filling, providing a rich layer that helps the sugar and cinnamon stick to the dough.
- Organic cane sugar: Sweetens the filling, creating a delicious caramelized layer inside the cinnamon rolls.
- Ground cinnamon: The star of the filling, adds a warm, spicy flavor that defines cinnamon rolls.
Topping:
- Vegan butter (melted): Brushed on top of the rolls to give them a golden, glossy finish and extra richness.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm from the Oven: Cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. The cream cheese frosting melts into the rolls, making each bite extra moist and flavorful.
- With a Hot Beverage: Pair these rolls with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa for the ultimate comforting treat. The warmth of the drink complements the sweetness and spice of the rolls perfectly.
- For Brunch or Dessert: These cinnamon rolls are versatile enough to serve for a special breakfast or as a sweet dessert. For brunch, they pair well with savory dishes like scrambled eggs or a breakfast casserole.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a soft, fluffy dough.
- Don’t Overknead the Dough: While kneading is essential for developing gluten, be careful not to overdo it. Too much kneading can make the dough tough. Knead just until smooth and elastic.
- Let the Rolls Rise Twice: Allowing the dough to rise twice—once after kneading and once after shaping the rolls—ensures the rolls are light and airy. Patience is key!
The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Experience
There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. These Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Soft, sweet, and irresistibly gooey, they will surely become a favorite in your home.
Be sure to check out these other delicious roll recipes!
Apple Crisp Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Roll Bites
Lemon Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
DOUGH
- 3 Tbsp vegan butter such as Earth Balance
- 1 packet instant yeast* or use rapid-rise yeast, 1 packet yields ~ 2 1/4 tsp
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour*
FILLING
- 3 tablespoon vegan butter such as Earth Balance, melted
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/2 - 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon to taste
TOPPING
- 2 tablespoon vegan butter such as Earth Balance, melted
Instructions
DOUGH:
- In a large saucepan (or in a bowl in the microwave at 30-second increments), heat the almond milk and vegan butter until warm and melted, never reaching boiling.
- Remove from heat and let it cool down to 110 degrees F (43 C) or the temperature of the bathwater. It's got to be warm, but not too hot, or it's going to kill the yeast.
- Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the yeast. Allow to activate for 10 minutes. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and salt and stir.
- Then add 1/2 cup (68 g) flour at a time, stirring as you go (you couldn't add it all). The dough is going to be sticky. When it is too thick to stir, transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or so until a loose ball is formed (be careful not to overmix). Rinse the mixing bowl, coat it with avocado or olive oil and add the dough ball back in.
- Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour or until the size is doubled.
FILLING:
- Roll out the dough into a thin rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Brush with melted vegan butter and then top with sugar and cinnamon.
- Starting at one end, roll the dough tightly and place the seam side down. Slice the dough into 1.5-2-inch sections and place it in a well-buttered 8x8-inch square or comparable size round pan (you should have about 10 rolls as the original recipe is written).
TOPPING:
- Brush with vegan butter (melted) and then cover with plastic wrap. Set on top of the oven to let it rise again while you pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).
- Once the oven is hot, bake rolls for about 30 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes and then serve immediately.
Optional:
- Frost with dairy-free cream cheese frosting or a basic mixture of 1 cup (112 g) natural powdered sugar and 1-2 tbsp (15-30 ml) almond milk.
Notes
*I have not tried making this recipe gluten-free. However, some of you have tried using gluten-free blends with some success. At this time I haven't tested this recipe gluten-free and can't guarantee the results if substitutions are made.
*I have not tested this recipe with other sweeteners, but it may work!
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Cinnamon Rolls