Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 4.5 cup all-purpose flour (The dough instructions divide this into 2 cups (250 g), 2 additional cups (250 g), and the remaining 1/2 cup (60 g).)
• 4 tsp rapid instant dry yeast
• 0.333 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt (For the dough.)
• 1.5 cup milk (Lukewarm, not hot; used in the dough.)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter (Softened; for the dough.)
• 1 egg (Room temperature.)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (For the dough.)
• 0.25 cup butter (Room temperature; for the filling.)
• 1.5 tbsp cinnamon (For the filling.)
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar (For the filling.)
• 4 oz cream cheese (Room temperature; for the frosting.)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (For the frosting.)
• 0.333 cup unsalted butter (Room temperature; for the frosting.)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (For the frosting.)
• salt (A pinch, for the frosting.)
• 3 tbsp milk (For the frosting.)
• oil (For lightly greasing hands and the bowl; quantity not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the milk in a microwave for 30–40 seconds, or until lukewarm. If it becomes too hot, let it cool. Add the yeast and stir gently, then let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups (250 g) of the flour with the salt and granulated sugar.

3. 3

   Add the softened dough butter, room-temperature egg, milk-and-yeast mixture, and vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Mix with a wooden spoon until combined.

4. 4

   Gradually add 2 additional cups (250 g) of flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

5. 5

   Add the remaining 1/2 cup (60 g) of flour and mix until the dough starts to come together.

6. 6

   Lightly grease your hands with oil. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, until it forms a smooth, elastic ball.

7. 7

   Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

8. 8

   Prepare the filling by mixing the room-temperature filling butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon.

9. 9

   Roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness.

10. 10

    Spread the filling mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough.

11. 11

    Roll the dough tightly into a log.

12. 12

    Cut the log into 12–15 pieces using thread or unflavored floss, then place the rolls in a greased baking dish.

13. 13

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (190°C).

14. 14

    Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes.

15. 15

    Prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese and frosting butter until smooth.

16. 16

    Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt, then add the milk and mix until the desired consistency is reached.

17. 17

    Let the baked rolls cool for 5 minutes, then spread the frosting over the cooled rolls.

Notes

The source states a yield of 16–18 buns, but the cutting instruction says to cut the log into 12–15 pieces. The flour quantity in the ingredient list totals 570 g, while the step-by-step flour divisions total 560 g; the listed ingredient quantity was preserved. The source does not specify the baking-dish size or the exact frosting consistency.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• sweet breakfast
• baked
• yeasted
• cinnamon
• fall baking
• vegetarian