Decadent Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Cinnamon Roll Dough

Keep your provisions warm, but not scalding. The yeast, a precious treasure, works best when the liquids are below 115°F to prevent it from being cursed and rendered inert

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk (about 115°F)
• 2 ½ teaspoons instant dry yeast
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ⅓ cup butter, melted and cooled to about 100°F
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, pour the warm milk. Sprinkle the instant dry yeast over the top.
2. Add the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar.
3. Add 4 cups of the flour and mix with a beater blade just until the ingredients are combined.
4. Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes to let the flour hydrate.
5. Switch to the dough hook attachment. On medium speed, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, adding up to the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed to form a smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky dough.
6. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Form the dough into a large ball and place it in the greased bowl.
7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Prep: 20 min • Cook: No time • Wait: 30 min

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling

This precious cargo of spices and sugar is what makes these rolls worthy of a captain's table

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• ½ cup heavy cream, reserved for pouring over the rolls before baking

Instructions

1. While the dough is rising, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Mix the ingredients together until they form a paste. Set aside in a warm area until needed.

Prep: 5 min • Cook: No time • Wait: No time

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon maple extract

Instructions

1. While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. Using a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the vanilla and maple extracts, then gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is completely smooth and lump-free.
3. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, spread a light layer of frosting over them.
4. Let the rolls cool completely before spreading the remaining frosting over the top.

Prep: 5 min • Cook: No time • Wait: No time