Dessert

Wake Up to Pillows of Sweet Cinnamon with a Slather of Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft, fluffy, ooey-gooey, and drenched in my oh-so-good cream cheese icing, these cinnamon rolls are just the sweet balance of nice and homemade. But what if we told you they have a bit of a reputation? With more than 65 positive star reviews at Centre Magas, these cinnamon rolls are a homemade legend for breakfast or dessert fans. Made entirely by hand, they give an incomparable satisfaction that only too few store-bought options can provide. Excited to make these dreamy pillows of cinnamon goodness in your own kitchen? Let’s dive in!

Why You Should Master These Cinnamon Rolls?

  • Unmatched Freshness: Nothing but hand-rolled sorcery, made with no preservatives and no shortcuts.
  • Cream Cheese Icing: The glossy topping is what takes these rolls from “good” to “indelible.”
  • Perfect for Anytime: Great for Sunday morning breakfast, parties, or any reason to celebrate.

Ingredient Overview: 

It will give you a breakdown of your ingredients so you will get the perfect batch every time. Here’s the reason for each one:

  • Warm Milk (1 cup): Activates the yeast and keeps the dough very soft and tender.
  • Active Dry Yeast (2 ¼ tsp): The hero ingredient that gives those irresistible fluff-filled layers.
  • Granulated sugar (⅓ cup): Adds just enough sweetness to the dough to balance the cinnamon filling.
  • Salt (½ tsp): boosts all flavors without stealing the show from the sweethearts.
  • Unsalted Butter (4 tbsp, softened): For richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • All-Purpose Flour (3 ½ cups): The dough’s building block—airy but structured.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Filling: A combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter creates the signature swirl of warm, spiced sweetness.
  • Cream Cheese Icing: Cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk become that decadent topping.

Cooking is a journey, and food is the destination.
Zoe Alexandra

pillows of sweet cinnamon with silky cream cheese icing

 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Let’s make those cinnamon pillows from scratch:

1. Activate the Yeast:

  • Warm milk (not hot!) to about 110°F.
  • Add the sugar and yeast, letting the mixture foam up for 5 to 10 minutes. This step wakes up the yeast.

2. Make the Dough:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and softened butter.
  • Pour the foamy yeast mixture over the dry ingredients.
  • Knead by hand for about 7–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

3. Allow the Dough to Rise:

  • Put the dough into an oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.

4. Mix up the Cinnamon Paste:

  • Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.

5. Roll and Fill

  • Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
  • Spread the cinnamon filling over the surface, and then you will leave a little bit of a border around the edges.

6. Roll and Cut

  • Starting from the wider side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
  • Cut into 12 equal pieces with string or dental floss for clean cuts (no squished rolls!).

7. Allow Them to Rise Once More:

  • Place the rolls into a greased baking dish.
  • Cover and let rise until puffed again, about 30 minutes.

8. Bake:

  • Heat up the oven until it’s a hot 350°F (175°C).
  • Bake until golden brown, 20–25 minutes.

9. Make the Cream Cheese Icing:

  • The creamy mixture made of cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk will give a silky smooth finish. Adjust consistency as needed.

10. Top and Serve:

  • Drizzle the icing liberally over warm rolls. Spoon into serving dishes and enjoy the magic!

Serving Suggestions, Storage Suggestions, Tips, and Variations

pillows of sweet cinnamon with silky cream cheese icing

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve with a steaming cup of joe or tea for the perfect breakfast.
  • Go to dessert mode, pairing with vanilla ice cream.

Storage Suggestions:

  • Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 4 days. If you want to re-create that “just baked” goodness, heat for a few seconds in the microwave.
  • Freeze: Freeze sliced, unbaked rolls to be stored for three months and then baked as needed.

Tips:

  • Use fresh yeast; older yeast will disappoint.
  • Don’t skip or rush the rising stages—that’s vital to getting that fluffy texture.

Variations:

  • Nutty Delight: Combine chopped pecans or walnuts in the cinnamon filling.
  • Chocolate Surprise: Add mini chocolate chips in addition to the cinnamon filling.
  • Fruity Splash—Add some diced dried fruit, such as apricots or raisins.

FAQs

    1. Can I prepare these rolls overnight?

  • Absolutely! Make the rolls through Step 6, cover firmly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it return to room temperature and proof in the morning before baking.

    2. Can I replace the cream cheese with the icing?

  • Yes, mascarpone or even Greek yogurt can be used, though the flavor will be a little different.
  1. What should I do if my rolls are dense?
  • Dense rolls are typically indicative of underproofing or overkneading. Otherwise, make sure your yeast is still active, and give yourself plenty of time to let it rise.
  1. Can I turn these into a gluten-free recipe?
  • Substituting—especially for a yeast dough—can be tricky, but using a gluten-free flour blend in a 1:1 ratio can give you decent results.

Pillows of Sweet Cinnamon with Silky Cream Cheese Icing

Serves: 12 Prep Time: Cooking Time:
Nutrition facts: 320 calories 11g fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )
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Ingredients

MAIN INGREDIENTS

Cream Cheese Icing:

 

Instructions

  1. Proof the yeast by combining it with warm milk and sugar.
  2. Knead the dough and let it rise.
  3. Roll out and layer with cinnamon filling.
  4. Shape, slice, and rise again.
  5. Set oven temperature to 350°F and frost with cream cheese icing.

Notes

  • Don’t rush; give the dough time to rise for fluffiest results.
  • Customize with your fillings or toppings of choice!
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