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6 cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting being spread on them

EASY SMALL BATCH CINNAMON ROLLS RECIPE


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5 from 41 reviews

  • Author: Zoha Malik
  • Total Time: 3 hours (includes rest time)
  • Yield: 6 large cinnamon rolls

Description

The easiest, no-fuss recipe to make the most incredibly soft and moist cinnamon rolls


Ingredients

Dough ingredients:

  • 160g whole milk (2/3 cup)
  • 50g sugar (1/4 cup)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 
  • 325g all purpose flour (2 1/2 cup)
  • 1 large egg 
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 60g unsalted butter, softened (1/4 cup)

Filling ingredients: 

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (56g)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (100g)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (60g) - for soaking rolls

Frosting ingredients:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (113g)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (35g)
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (~60g)


Instructions

  1. Microwave milk for 20-30 seconds until it is warm to touch (not scalding). Add it to a bowl with the yeast, whisk, and rest for 10 minutes or until the mixture looks foamy
  2. Add the rest of the dough ingredients to the same bowl. Use a large wooden spoon to mix everything and bring it into a dough
  3. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Turn the dough out onto the surface, then use clean hands to knead the dough with a push-pull motion for 8-10 minutes. You can use a cake scraper to keep the surface clean as the dough will be quite sticky to begin with
  4. Keep kneading the dough until it is soft, smooth and stretchy
  5. Transfer to a clean bowl sprayed with some oil, cover with cling wrap and rest in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until the dough doubles in size
  6. In the meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing softened butter with cinnamon, sugar and salt
  7. Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a clean bench dusted lightly with flour. Using your hands and a rolling pin, roll it into a 12x14" rectangle
  8. Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly across the rectangle
  9. With the 12" side towards you, divide the dough into 6 strips (each strip will be 2" wide and 14" long)
  10. Roll each strip tightly into a cinnamon roll, and transfer to a small eighth sheet pan lined with parchment paper
  11. Once all 6 cinnamon rolls are shaped, let them rest in a warm spot for another 30-45 minutes until they look a bit more puffed up and spring back partly when gently poked
  12. In the last 20 minutes of the wait, preheat your oven to 375F (conventional)
  13. Right before putting the rolls in the oven, pour the heavy cream over them
  14. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the rolls develop a light golden color and feel firm to touch
  15. Remove from oven and let them rest as you make the frosting
  16. For the frosting, place all ingredients in a large bowl and whisk with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until a smooth frosting forms
  17. Spread the frosting over the rolls while they are still warm
  18. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial:

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="UMfBr4jL" upload-date="2024-10-11T00:00:00+00:00" name="The Best Cinnamon Rolls" description="How to make the best small batch cinnamon rolls" player-type="default" override-embed="default" orientation="vertical"]

Notes

  • The dough will be quite sticky when you start kneading it. Don't be tempted to add more flour, just keep kneading and it will eventually become soft and smooth
  • These are quite large cinnamon rolls. If you want medium sized ones, you can make 9 rolls and bake them in a 9x9" pan instead
  • If you don't want to make a cream cheese frosting, you can make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and cream instead
  • Store cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge and microwave for 15 seconds before enjoying
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Rest Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American