Heavenly Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls: Sweet Caramel Cream Cheese Recipe

Warm, pillowy cinnamon rolls with caramel cream cheese icing beckon from the kitchen, promising pure comfort.

These delightful pastries melt in your mouth with each tender, spiraled bite.

Soft dough swirls around a rich, aromatic cinnamon filling that whispers of cozy mornings.

The golden-brown rolls emerge from the oven, promising decadence in every layer.

Creamy caramel cream cheese icing drapes over the warm rolls, creating a luxurious finish that turns a simple breakfast into an indulgent experience.

This recipe delivers bakery-quality sweetness right from your own oven.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these irresistible rolls and impress everyone at the breakfast table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 13

Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides rich, tender texture with subtle sweetness.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that helps dough rise and develop soft, airy structure.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and helps yeast fermentation.
• Butter: Brings luxurious richness and creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth rolls.
• Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and help bind ingredients together.
• Flour: Foundational ingredient creating soft, pillowy base for rolls.
• Vanilla Bean Powder: Infuses sophisticated, aromatic flavor with elegant complexity.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create sweet, caramelized cinnamon layer with complex depth.
• Ground Cinnamon: Delivers warm, spicy essence that defines classic rolls.
• Room Temperature Butter: Ensures smooth spreading and adds rich, creamy texture.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Provides delightful flavor contrast and gourmet finishing touch.

• Butter: Develops nutty, caramelized undertones through browning process.
• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth base for decadent frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides silky sweetness and perfect icing consistency.
• Caramel Sauce: Introduces rich, golden sweetness with deep complexity.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with aromatic warmth.

Tools You’ll Need to Make Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

• Stand mixer with dough hook: Essential for mixing and kneading dough smoothly and efficiently.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for preparing and rising dough.
• Rolling pin: Critical for rolling out dough into a rectangle.
• Sharp knife: Needed to cut the rolled dough into individual rolls.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Ideal for baking and presenting the cinnamon rolls.
• Small bowl: Useful for mixing filling ingredients.
• Small pot: Required for browning butter for the icing.
• Large bowl: Necessary for preparing the cream cheese icing.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient measurements.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover dough during rising process.

How to Bake Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Frosting

• Dough Preparation

Combine warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar in a mixer bowl. Let the mixture sit until it becomes bubbly and fragrant. Add butter, eggs, flour, vanilla powder, and salt. Mix until a soft, smooth dough forms. Allow the dough to rest and rise until it doubles in size.

• Filling Creation

Blend brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. This magical mixture will bring warmth and sweetness to your rolls.

• Rolling and Shaping

Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface. Gently stretch and roll into a large rectangle. Spread softened butter across the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, sealing the edges.

• Cutting and Positioning

Slice the log into individual rolls using a sharp knife. Place the rolls in a buttered baking dish, allowing them to rest and expand slightly before baking.

• Baking Magic

Slide the rolls into a preheated oven. Bake until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Caramel Cream Cheese Topping

Brown butter in a small pot until it develops a rich, nutty fragrance. Whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Blend the brown butter, powdered sugar, caramel sauce, vanilla, and a touch of sea salt to create a luxurious icing.

• Final Touch

Generously spread the creamy caramel icing over warm rolls. Sprinkle a little extra sea salt for a flavor burst. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Tips for Gooey Centers in Cinnamon Rolls

• Replace traditional cinnamon with cardamom, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for a unique flavor twist that transforms the classic recipe.
• Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, add dried fruit like raisins, or mix in mini chocolate chips to create exciting texture variations.
• Proof dough in a warm, draft-free area like a turned-off oven to ensure consistent rising and achieve ultimate softness every time.
• Experiment with different caramel variations by using salted caramel, bourbon caramel, or adding a splash of maple syrup for deeper, more complex sweetness.
• Prepare rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow gradual temperature adjustment and preserve delicate texture.

Serving Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

• Breakfast Companion Bliss: Pair these heavenly cinnamon rolls with a steaming cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate morning treat that will make your taste buds dance.
• Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Showcase these rolls as the star attraction at your next weekend brunch, surrounded by fresh fruit and a light yogurt parfait to balance the sweet indulgence.
• Dessert Transformation Magic: Transform these warm cinnamon rolls into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzling extra caramel sauce for an after-dinner showstopper that will impress your guests.
• Gifting Comfort Option: Wrap individual rolls in parchment paper for a heartwarming homemade gift that spreads joy and comfort to friends, family, or neighbors who need a sweet pick-me-up.

How to Store Caramel Cinnamon Rolls Fresh

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cool environment helps maintain their soft texture and prevents the cream cheese icing from spoiling quickly.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently in the microwave before serving.
• Room Temperature Tips: If enjoying within 24 hours, keep the rolls covered at room temperature. Place a clean kitchen towel over the dish to prevent drying out while maintaining their pillowy softness.
• Icing Care: Keep the caramel cream cheese icing separate from the rolls when storing. Store the icing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring to room temperature and whisk briefly before spreading on freshly warmed rolls.

Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade cinnamon rolls with caramel cream cheese icing promise comfort and indulgence from first bite. Warm spices and silky glaze invite home bakers to savor each delectable morsel of sweet perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups / 480 g all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup / 240 ml warm milk
• 6 tbsps salted butter, at room temperature
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground vanilla bean powder
• ½ cup brown sugar (filling)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 6 tbsps salted butter, at room temperature
• 4 tbsps salted butter, at room temperature
• 4 oz / 113 g cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ – ⅓ cup caramel sauce
• 2–3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Flaky sea salt (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar in a stand mixer bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for 5-10 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Integrate butter, eggs, flour, vanilla bean powder, and salt into the yeast mixture, kneading with a dough hook until a smooth, elastic texture develops. Adjust flour if the dough feels sticky.
3. First Rise: Allow the dough to rest and expand at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap until it doubles in volume, approximately one hour.
4. Filling Preparation: Blend brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Generously butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.
5. Dough Shaping: Deflate the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface, stretching into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle. Spread room temperature butter evenly, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture.
6. Rolling and Cutting: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact log. Seal edges and slice into 12-15 uniform rolls using a sharp knife.
7. Second Proofing: Position rolls in the prepared baking dish, allowing them to proof for 15-20 minutes under plastic wrap.
8. Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake until rolls transform into a golden-brown delicacy, approximately 25-30 minutes.
9. Icing Creation: Brown butter in a small pot until light golden. Whip cream cheese until fluffy, then blend with browned butter, powdered sugar, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and a hint of sea salt.
10. Final Touch: Lavish warm rolls with decadent caramel cream cheese icing, optionally garnishing with flaky sea salt for a gourmet finish.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure milk is warm (not hot) between 100-110°F to prevent killing the yeast and guarantee proper rising.
• Dough Consistency Check: Add flour gradually during kneading to achieve a soft, slightly tacky but not sticky texture that springs back when touched.
• Proofing Perfect Technique: Allow dough to rise in a draft-free, warm environment around 80-85°F for optimal volume and tender texture.
• Icing Temperature Trick: Let cream cheese and browned butter cool slightly before mixing to prevent separation and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg