The holiday season calls for delicious treats, and these cinnamon rolls are sure to be a hit. This recipe, a family favorite, has been perfected over time and promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The dough is soft and elastic, thanks to a careful balance of ingredients and a slow rise. The filling is a decadent blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of extra sugar for added sweetness. The key to ultimate softness lies in a generous pour of warm cream over the risen rolls before baking.
This recipe makes 12 generously sized rolls, but feel free to double or increase the batch by half to satisfy a larger crowd or enjoy leftovers throughout the week. These cinnamon rolls are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed fresh from the oven or prepared in advance. For optimal flavor and texture, bake the rolls, let them cool completely, frost them generously, and then freeze them.
When ready to serve, simply warm them up in the microwave for a quick and easy treat that tastes as good as freshly baked. This method is particularly convenient for holiday mornings or special occasions when time is of the essence. The frosting, a thick and creamy concoction, is designed to hold up well in the freezer and melts beautifully when warmed.
The dough requires warm milk, instant dry yeast, room-temperature eggs, softened butter, all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. The filling combines softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, a touch of granulated sugar, and heavy cream for pouring over the risen dough. The frosting is a simple yet delicious blend of softened butter, good quality vanilla extract, milk, and powdered sugar, adjusted to your desired consistency.
The process begins with activating the yeast in warm milk. Then, combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, gradually adding flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, then let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon filling. Roll out the risen dough, spread the filling evenly, and roll it up tightly. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased baking pan. Let the rolls rise again before baking.
Before baking, pour warm heavy cream over the rolls, allowing it to soak in for added moisture and softness. Bake until golden brown and cooked through. While the rolls cool, make the frosting. Once the rolls are completely cooled, frost them generously. For best results, freeze the frosted rolls and warm them up in the microwave before serving. Enjoy!
