Milk Bread Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls are a labor of love, but the results are undeniably worth it. With a rich, buttery dough, a generous swirl of cinnamon and brown sugar, and a creamy cream cheese icing, these rolls are a true indulgence for any breakfast or afternoon snack.
The tangzhong method ensures a soft, tender crumb, while the homemade cream cheese icing provides a simple yet delicious complement to the sweet rolls. And with Red Star Active Dry Yeast, you can be sure of a robust rise for perfectly fluffy cinnamon rolls.
Get ready to savor the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and treat yourself to a taste of pure bliss.
Milk Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Makes 12 rolls
Ingredients
1 cup (240 grams) whole milk5 tablespoons (60 grams) granulated sugar, divided1 (0.25-ounce) package (7 grams) Red Star® Active Dry Yeast3¾ to 4 cups (476 to 508 grams) bread flour, divided1 tablespoon (9 grams) kosher saltTangzhong (recipe follows)1 large egg (50 grams), room temperature1/2 cup (113 grams) plus 5 tablespoons (70 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature and divided2/3 cup (145 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar1 tablespoon (6 grams) ground cinnamon1/4 cup (60 grams) heavy whipping creamCream Cheese Icing (recipe follows)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until scalding. (An instant-read thermometer should register 180°F/82°C.) Let cool until an instant-read thermometer registers 110°F (43°C) to 115°F (46°C).
In a small bowl, whisk together warm milk, 1 teaspoon (4 grams) granulated sugar, and yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 2 cups (254 grams) flour, salt, and remaining 4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (56 grams) granulated sugar by hand. Add warm yeast mixture, Tangzhong, and egg; using the paddle attachment, beat at low speed until well combined. With mixer on low speed, gradually add 1¾ cups (222 grams) flour, beating just until a shaggy dough comes together and stopping to scrape bottom and sides of bowl.
Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at low speed until dough is tacky, elastic, and slightly smooth, about 8 minutes; add up to remaining 1⁄4 cup (32 grams) flour, 1 tablespoon (8 grams) at a time, if dough is too sticky. Add 5 tablespoons (70 grams) butter, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) at a time, beating until combined after each addition (about 5 minutes total). Scrape bottom and sides of bowl and dough hook. Beat until dough is completely smooth and passes the windowpane test, about 12 minutes. (See Note.) Turn out dough onto a clean surface, and shape into a smooth round.
Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
In another small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining 1⁄2 cup (113 grams) butter.
Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan with baking spray with flour. Line pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over long sides of pan.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and roll dough into a 18×12-inch rectangle with one long side closest to you. Spread brown sugar mixture on dough in an even layer, leaving a 1⁄4-inch border on long side closest to you. Starting with long side opposite border, roll dough up into a log, pinching seams to seal. Trim ends, and cut log into 12 (1½-inch-thick) slices. Place slices, cut side down, in prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until puffed, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Pour cream evenly all over rolls.
Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers at least 190°F (88°C), 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan. Spread Cream Cheese Icing on rolls, and serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Note: To use the windowpane test to check dough for proper gluten development, lightly flour hands and pinch off (don’t tear) a small piece of dough. Slowly pull the dough out from the center. If the dough is ready, you will be able to stretch it until it’s thin and translucent like a windowpane. If the dough tears, it’s not quite ready. Beat for 1 minute, and test again.
Tangzhong
Makes about 1⁄2 cup
Ingredients
9 tablespoons (135 grams) whole milk1/4 cup (32 grams) bread flour
Instructions
In a small saucepan, whisk together milk and flour. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, whisk leaves lines on bottom of pan, and an instant-read thermometer registers 150°F (66°C). (Mixture will look like mashed potatoes.) Transfer to a small bowl, and let cool until an instant-read thermometer registers 130°F (54°C)or until room temperature.
Cream Cheese Icing
Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients
4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla extract1 cup (120 grams) confectioners’ sugar2 tablespoons (30 grams) whole milk
Instructions
In a medium bowl, fold together cream cheese and butter with a rubber spatula until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Add confectioners’ sugar, and fold until combined. Add milk, and stir until icing is smooth and spreadable. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Let soften before using if refrigerated longer than overnight.
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