Decadent Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• Warm milk (1 cup (110°f/43°c))
• Granulated sugar (1/4 cup)
• Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, melted)
• Eggs (2 large)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
• All-purpose flour (3 1/4 cups, divided)
• Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened)
• Ground cinnamon (2 tablespoons)
• Powdered sugar (2 cups)
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• Milk (2 tablespoons (for frosting))

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm milk. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Add granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until smooth.
3. Gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Once risen, roll out the dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened cream cheese evenly over the dough and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
6. Starting from the long side, roll up the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan, leaving space between each roll.
7. Cover the pan with a towel and let the rolls rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
9. While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by combining powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
10. Remove the rolls from the oven and let cool slightly before generously spreading the frosting over the warm rolls.