Cinnamon Rolls

*These Cinnamon Rolls are a classic and decadent breakfast treat! The light, fluffy dough is decked out with a cinnamon sugar filling and the richest sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. *

I used to love going back to school in September. So nerdy, right? Seriously, I was always excited when summer came to an end and it was time to pull out the backpack, strap on a new pair of sneakers, and head back into the classroom. I know that I must have always been nervous, too, but looking back, I mainly remember the excitement that surrounded the prospect of a new year.

I think mostly what I loved was the ritual of it all. The back to school shopping: heading to Old Navy with my mom, picking out a few blouses, and selecting a sweater or two to finish off the look. Organizing a list of the school supplies I needed, and choosing a new binder in a fun, bright color. Listening to my teacher explain the rules and systems of the classroom, like our homework schedule and reading assignments. What can I say? I’m (clearly) a very organized and routine-driven person.

In some ways, I think it’s this methodical approach to life that attracts me to baking, too. I love the thought of a well-written recipe, with each precise ingredient and each instruction clearly described. I can’t help but be excited to execute each step of the process – especially when confronted with a more complicated recipe! So now that I’ve confessed this minor quirk of mine, you should know that I’ve been dying to make cinnamon rolls for quite a while. I know that the recipe appears involved, but I promise you it’s not really that complex. I love that a straightforward series of steps can result in such a delightful and special treat. These light, fluffy rolls are loaded with the most fragrant cinnamon sugar filling and finished off with a perfectly sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting – delicious!

Cinnamon Rolls

Servings: 8
Difficulty: Medium
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These Cinnamon Rolls are a classic and decadent breakfast treat! The light, fluffy dough is decked out with a cinnamon sugar filling and the richest sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting.

Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated.

Ingredients

For Dough:

2 ½ cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
4 tablespoons butter, melted

For Filling:

½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

For Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°. Grease a glass baking dish.
To make dough, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and melted butter.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Turn dough out onto a floured board.
Knead for a minute or two, until dough is smooth. Then, pat into a nine by twelve inch rectangle.
To make filling, stir together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
Add two tablespoons of the melted butter and stir until combined.
Brush remaining two tablespoons melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle with sugar mixture, leaving a one inch border on all sides.
Starting on the long side, roll up the dough. Pinch the seam to seal.
Cut log into eight slices, then arrange in prepared pan.
Bake until puffed and golden brown, about twenty two minutes. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, to make frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
Beat in vanilla, then powdered sugar.
Spread frosting over buns.

The Millennial Cook