If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect weekend treat, look no further than this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s everything you want in a cinnamon roll—soft, fluffy, sweet, and packed with warm cinnamon goodness—topped with a luscious maple-infused cream cheese frosting that takes these rolls to a whole new level. Whether you’re sharing with family or simply indulging yourself, these cinnamon rolls offer that tender, cozy bite you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe starts with simple, everyday ingredients, each playing a vital role. From the rich cream cheese that gives the frosting its tangy depth to the brown sugar and cinnamon filling that creates that classic swirl, every component matters.
- Whole milk (2 cups): Adds richness and moisture, helping create that soft, tender dough.
- Salted butter (½ cup plus ½ cup softened): Brings flavor, softness, and the buttery goodness in both dough and filling.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the dough just enough without overwhelming.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Instant yeast (¾ tablespoon): Gives the rolls the rise and fluffiness we all love.
- Large eggs (2, beaten): Binds the dough and contributes to its richness.
- All-purpose flour (6 cups): The dough’s foundation, providing structure and chewiness.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Creates the caramelized sweetness in the cinnamon swirl.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The warm, spicy star of the filling.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Delivers that dreamy, smooth frosting texture.
- Light brown sugar (2 tablespoons for frosting): Adds sweetness and depth to the frosting.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the frosting flavors beautifully.
- High-quality maple extract (1 teaspoon): That special twist making the frosting irresistibly unique.
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Essential for that creamy, sweet frosting consistency.
- Milk (as needed for frosting): Adjusts the frosting to the perfect spreadable texture.
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by heating the milk gently until it’s scalded, which means small bubbles appear around the edges and it’s steaming but not boiling. This step develops flavor and improves dough texture. Pour the warm milk into the bowl of your stand mixer, then add the butter, sugar, and salt. Mix with a dough hook until everything is combined and allow it to cool to about 105 degrees Fahrenheit—this ensures the yeast won’t be killed when added.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
Sprinkle in the instant yeast and add the beaten eggs to the mixture. Gradually start adding the flour, mixing as you go, until the dough starts pulling away from the bowl’s sides but stays soft and slightly sticky. After mixing, knead the dough for about five minutes. Transfer it into a large greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until it has doubled in size—this usually takes about an hour or so. Watching the dough transform is such a satisfying part of the process.
Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough
Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle roughly 18 by 12 inches—that nice, even surface sets you up for perfect cinnamon layers. Spread half a cup of softened butter evenly over the dough, which will melt during baking for irresistible moistness. Then, mix together the packed brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkling it generously over the butter layer. This is the aroma that’ll fill your kitchen!
Step 4: Shape and Bake the Rolls
Starting at the longer edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal so it doesn’t unravel. Cut this log into 12 equal slices, each destined to become a gooey, cinnamon-packed roll. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 3 by 4 arrangement, leaving a bit of space to allow for the final rise. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise again until doubled—this second rise is key for those fluffy layers. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the rolls for about 20 to 22 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top. Let them cool for at least 30 minutes before frosting, so the cream cheese frosting won’t melt immediately.
Step 5: Make the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
In your mixer bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter with the brown sugar, vanilla, and maple extracts. Beat all ingredients until perfectly smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, and a splash of milk as needed, until the frosting reaches that dreamy, spreadable consistency. Dollop and spread generously over the cooled cinnamon rolls, and get ready for the best first bite ever.
How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair and texture, consider sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the frosting. The crunch combined with the soft rolls and silky frosting brings a delightful contrast. Alternatively, a light drizzle of extra pure maple syrup on top can amplify that beautiful maple flavor in the frosting.
Side Dishes
Pair these cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness. For a brunch spread, fresh fruit like berries or sliced oranges offers a refreshing and tangy complement to these rich rolls.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these rolls in individual ramekins or a rustic wooden board for a charming presentation. You can also prepare mini versions of this recipe for party bites, perfect for sharing and impressing guests at breakfast gatherings or holiday celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and frosted, leftover cinnamon rolls store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigeration helps extend freshness for up to five days without drying out the rolls.
Freezing
If you want to make these rolls ahead in bulk, freezing is your friend. Freeze unbaked, shaped rolls by covering them tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then thaw and bake on baking day. Alternatively, freeze baked and cooled rolls without frosting, then thaw and spread frosting fresh after reheating for that just-baked feel.
Reheating
To bring these cinnamon rolls back to their soft, warm glory, microwave them individually for about 20 seconds or wrap them in foil and warm gently in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes. Add frosting after reheating if frozen without it, and enjoy every cozy bite.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of whole milk?
Yes, you can use 2% milk as a substitute to achieve almost the same rich and tender dough. Avoid using skim milk to maintain softness.
What if I don’t have maple extract? Can I use maple syrup?
While maple extract gives the frosting an intense, pure flavor, you can substitute with real maple syrup by reducing the powdered sugar slightly to keep the frosting from becoming too runny.
Why does the dough need two rises?
The first rise develops flavor and dough structure, while the second rise ensures the rolls are light, airy, and perfectly fluffy once baked.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the day before, let it rise once, then refrigerate it overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before rolling, filling, and baking.
How do I prevent the frosting from melting?
Make sure the rolls have cooled completely—about 30 minutes minimum—before frosting. Warm rolls will melt the cream cheese frosting, making it runny instead of luscious and thick.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is genuinely like wrapping your kitchen in a warm, sweet hug. Every step, from kneading the dough to spreading that dreamy maple cream cheese frosting, feels rewarding and comforting. Whether for a special occasion or a leisurely weekend morning, these cinnamon rolls are sure to become a beloved tradition you’ll treasure sharing again and again. So roll up your sleeves and prepare for some serious smiles at the breakfast table!
Print
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe features soft, fluffy rolls filled with a sweet cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, topped with a rich and creamy maple-flavored cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a weekend breakfast or special occasion, these cinnamon rolls are made from scratch with warm milk, butter, and yeast, then baked to golden perfection and frosted generously with a luscious maple cream cheese glaze.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups whole milk (2% milk also works)
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ Tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- ½ cup salted butter (softened)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup salted butter (softened)
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon high-quality maple extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- Milk (as needed for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Scald Milk: Heat the milk in a saucepan until it reaches scalding temperature, just below boiling, with small bubbles around the edge and steaming.
- Mix Dough Base: Pour the scalded milk into the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Add the butter, granulated sugar, and salt. With the dough hook attachment, mix until ingredients are combined. Let mixture cool to warm (about 105°F) to avoid killing yeast.
- Add Yeast and Eggs: Add instant yeast and beaten eggs to the warm milk mixture. Mix until combined.
- Add Flour & Knead: Gradually add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is soft but slightly sticky. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes using the dough hook.
- First Rise: Transfer dough to a large greased bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size.
- Roll Out Dough: Punch down the dough and place it on a floured surface. Roll it into an 18×12-inch rectangle.
- Prepare Filling: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough rectangle. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
- Roll and Cut: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log shape and pinch the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal portions.
- Second Rise: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the rolls 3 across and 4 down on the baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rolls rise until doubled in size again.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the rolls complete their second rise.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the risen rolls in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine softened cream cheese, softened butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, maple extract, and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fully combined. Add milk as needed to reach desired frosting consistency.
- Frost and Serve: Generously frost cooled cinnamon rolls with the maple cream cheese frosting. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Scalding the milk helps create tender rolls by breaking down proteins.
- Ensure the milk mixture is not too hot before adding yeast to avoid killing it.
- For best texture, knead dough sufficiently to develop gluten but avoid over-kneading.
- Allowing the rolls to rise twice makes them fluffy and soft.
- You can substitute 2% milk for whole milk if preferred.
- Adjust milk quantity in frosting to reach your preferred spreadable consistency.
- Use freshly ground cinnamon for best flavor.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
