Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls are everything you could ever want in a warm, sweet treat. With a soft, pillowy dough, gooey cinnamon-walnut filling, and decadent cream cheese frosting, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
– 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
– 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
– 1/4 cup sugar
– 1/4 cup melted butter (plus 2 tbsp for greasing)
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 2 large eggs
– 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour (start with 3 1/2 cups and add more as needed)
For the Cinnamon-Walnut Filling:
– 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
– 2 tbsp granulated sugar
– 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
– 1/4 cup softened butter
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
– Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs. Mix until combined.
– Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition. Once the dough starts coming together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour as necessary to prevent sticking.
– Place the dough in a greased bowl (use the remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter to grease it), cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon-Walnut Filling:
– While the dough is rising, make the filling by combining the brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped walnuts in a small bowl. Set aside.
– Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
– Spread the softened butter evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
– Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar-walnut mixture over the buttered dough.
– Starting from the long edge, carefully roll up the dough tightly to form a log.
– Slice the dough into 12 even rolls using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss (for clean slices).
– Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and arrange the rolls in the dish, leaving a little space between them. Cover with a towel and let them rise for 30-45 minutes, or until they puff up.
4. Bake the Rolls:
– Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Check after 20 minutes and cover the rolls loosely with foil if they’re browning too quickly.
– Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly while you prepare the frosting.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
– Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
6. Frost and Serve:
– Once the rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls.
– Serve immediately and enjoy the soft, gooey, cinnamon-walnut goodness!
Tips for Success:
– **Dough texture**: If the dough feels sticky while kneading, add more flour little by little, but don’t overdo it—soft dough will result in fluffier rolls.
– **Make ahead**: You can prepare the rolls up to the point of assembling them in the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
– **Extra flavor**: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon filling for an extra flavor boost.
Enjoy!
These Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect indulgence. The combination of the buttery, cinnamon-sugar filling and the creamy frosting will make your taste buds dance! Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for the ultimate treat!