Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Whether you are baking for Christmas morning, a brunch with family, or a plain old lazy Sunday, these cinnamon rolls from Molly Wizenberg of Orangette.com make it an occasion. If you’re crunched for time, try popping the prepared dough into a warm oven to help it rise.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 18 rolls
Ingredients
for dough
for filling
for glaze
Preparation
make dough
Step 1
Combine the milk and butter in a glass measuring cup. Microwave on high until the butter melts and the mixture is just warmed to 120° to 130°F, 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add 1 cup flour, the sugar, egg, yeast, and salt. Beat on low speed 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups flour and beat on low until the flour is absorbed and the dough is sticky, scraping down the sides of the bowl. If the dough is very sticky, add more flour by tablespoonfuls until it begins to form a ball and pulls away from the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if sticky, about 8 minutes. Form into a ball.
Step 2
Lightly coat a large bowl with nonstick spray. Transfer the dough to the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
make filling and fill rolls
Step 3
Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Step 4
Punch down the dough. Transfer it to a floured work surface and roll out to a 15 by 11-inch rectangle. Spread the butter over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the butter. Starting at the long side, roll the dough into a log, pinching gently to keep it rolled up. With the seam side down, cut the dough crosswise with a thin sharp knife into 18 equal slices (each about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide).
Step 5
Spray 2 (9-inch) square glass baking dishes with non-stick spray. Divide the rolls between the baking dishes, arranging cut side up (there will be almost no space between rolls). Cover the baking dishes with plastic wrap, then a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, 40 to 45 minutes.
bake and glaze rolls
Step 6
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls until the tops are golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and invert immediately onto a rack. Cool 10 minutes. Turn rolls right side up.
Step 7
Combine the cream cheese, sugar, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Spread the glaze on the rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.
