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Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, pull-apart cinnamon rolls with a syrupy filling and a cream-soaked center, topped with cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Rise Time 2 hours
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Rolls

Ingredients
  

Dough

  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour or Bread Flour; plus more for dusting
  • 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp Instant Yeast one standard packet
  • 1 cup Whole Milk
  • 1/3 cup Butter cut into cubes
  • 1 Large Egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp Fine Salt

Gooey Filling

  • 1/2 cup Butter softened, not melted
  • 3/4 cup Brown Sugar packed, light or dark
  • 2 tbsp Ground Cinnamon

Cream Pour

  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream warmed slightly

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup Butter softened
  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tsp Extract

Simple Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp Milk
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions
 

  • Warm the milk and butter until the butter melts and the mixture feels warm, not hot.
  • Combine the milk mixture with the yeast, sugar, egg, and salt, then gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.
  • Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes by hand.
  • Let the dough rise in a covered, greased bowl until doubled, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • Beat the filling ingredients together until creamy, not just melted.
  • Roll the dough into a 15x12-inch rectangle and spread the filling evenly, leaving a half-inch border.
  • Roll tightly into a log and cut into 12 pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
  • Arrange in a greased 9x13-inch pan, cover, and let rise until puffy, about 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Warm the heavy cream and pour evenly over the risen rolls.
  • Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and an internal temperature of 190-200°F is reached at the center.
  • Prepare the cream cheese frosting or glaze while the rolls bake, then spread or drizzle over the warm rolls.

Notes

  • Active dry yeast can replace instant yeast. Dissolve it in the warm milk mixture with a pinch of sugar and let it sit 5-10 minutes until foamy before continuing.
  • A little dough stickiness is normal. Add extra flour gradually rather than all at once.
Keyword cinnamon roll filling, cinnamon roll recipe, cream cheese frosting, gooey cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls