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cinnamon rolls in a pan unbaked

The Best Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

This cinnamon roll recipe with cream cheese icing is a delightful way to start the day. Being an easy recipe and able to be prepped ahead of time and frozen, they're perfect for all occasions- even Christmas morning! While it has a quick prep time of only 30 minutes, these can also be made as overnight cinnamon rolls, with the prep work done the night before so that you can just pop them in the oven the next day for an easy and quick (but incredibly delicious) breakfast dish. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Serving Size 24

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Instant yeast
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp honey brown sugar or sucanat
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 5.5 cups of all purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 stick of butter room temperature
  • 1/3 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup of pecans optional
  • Quick Cream Cheese Icing
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 4 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2-3 tbsp cream cheese melted

Instructions

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a mixing bowl and let sit until bubbly.
  • Add in the honey (or other sweetener), oil, salt and flour.
  • Using a dough hook, mix the ingredients together on low.
  • Once the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl, transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll out in a large rectangle.
  • Once you have the dough shaped, spread the room temperature butter evenly over the dough.
  • Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly across the buttered dough.
  • Sprinkle on the chopped pecans (optional).
  • Using both hands begin to roll up the dough along the long edge. Keep rolling until you have a log shape.
  • Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log into small rolls. The amount of cinnamon rolls you end up with will depend on how thick you cut them. I cut my rolls about 1.5 inches thick and ended up with about 28 rolls.
  • Place the rolls close together in a greased baking dish.
  • Let the cinnamon pecan rolls rise for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375 about midway through the rise time.
  • Bake at 375 for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

While the cinnamon pecan rolls are baking, make the cream cheese frosting:

  • 1. Melt butter and cream cheese in the microwave.
  • 2. Stir vanilla and heavy cream into the melted butter and cream cheese.
  • 3. Slowly add in the powdered sugar making sure to fully assimilate the powdered sugar before adding in more. Adjust amount to your taste.
  • 4. Pour on top of warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Notes

To prepare overnight, prep cinnamon roll dough and cut into slices. Arrange in a 9x13 baking pan, cover with plastic wrap and immediately place in the fridge. The next morning, allow to sit on the counter while the oven pre-heats. Bake as normal.