Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, plus 4 large yolks, at room temperature
- 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package rapid rise yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
For the Filling and Assembly
- 1 teaspoon cold unsalted butter, for the pan
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing
- 1 packed cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch kosher salt
- All-purpose flour for rolling
Updated Frosting (Copycat Cinnabon Frosting)
- 1 stick softened butter (4 oz)
- 1/2 pack softened cream cheese (4 oz)
- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Directions
Make the Dough
- Combine the buttermilk, butter, sugar, whole egg, and egg yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed.
- As the mixture comes together, add 283 grams (approximately 2 cups) of the flour, along with the yeast and salt, and continue beating until combined.
- Remove the paddle attachment and replace it with the dough hook. Add another 113 grams (approximately 1 cup) of the remaining flour and knead on low speed for 5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, add more flour, 28 grams (1/4 cup) at a time. Knead on low until the dough clears the sides of the bowl, about another 5 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and form into a smooth ball. Transfer to a large bowl that has been lightly greased with vegetable oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until the dough doubles in volume, about 3 hours.
Make the Filling and Assemble
- Butter a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with the cold butter. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently shape into a rectangle with the long side nearest you. Use a rolling pin to shape the dough into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle.
- Brush the dough with the melted butter, leaving a 1-inch border along the top edge. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the dough, avoiding the top border. Gently press the filling into the dough.
- Roll the dough into a tight cylinder, starting from the long edge nearest you. Pinch the seam to seal and roll the cylinder seam-side down. Cut the cylinder into 2-inch rolls, yielding 8 pieces.
- Arrange rolls, cut-side down, in the baking dish; cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight, or up to 16 hours.
To Bake
- Heat oven to 200°F.
- When the oven has reached 200°F, turn it off and place the rolls in the turned-off oven. Let the rolls rise until they look slightly puffy, about 30 minutes.
- Without taking the rolls out of the oven, increase the oven temperature to 350°F and let the rolls continue to bake until the internal temperature reaches 190°F, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the rolls and let cool while you make the icing.
Make the Updated Frosting
- Bring the butter and cream cheese to room temperature so that they are soft. Cream together using an electric mixer.
- Intermittently sift in 1 cup of powdered sugar while beating with the electric mixer. Beat for 10 minutes, or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla and lemon juice and beat until incorporated.
Equipment
For the Rolls
- Stand mixer with paddle and dough hook attachments
- Large bowl
- Plastic wrap
- 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish
- Rolling pin
- Serrated knife
- Digital kitchen scale
For the Frosting
- Electric mixer
- Sifter
- Measuring cups and spoons
Tips
For the rolls, if you tend to have hot hands, cover the filling with a layer of plastic wrap before pressing it into the dough. Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container.
For the frosting, if using unsalted butter, add a couple of pinches of salt. Store in the refrigerator but bring to room temperature before serving.
Sources: