Ingredients
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
– ½ cup milk, warmed
– ¼ cup sugar
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 large egg
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ½ cup cream cheese, softened
– ¼ cup powdered sugar
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon cinnamon
– ½ cup brown sugar
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Stand mixer or hand mixer
– Rolling pin
– Baking sheet
– Parchment paper
– Whisk
– Plastic wrap
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, I combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it bubbles up—this is how I know my yeast is alive! Then, in my stand mixer, I mix the frothy milk mixture with melted butter, egg, and salt. Once that’s combined, I gradually add the flour until a soft dough forms. I make sure not to overmix, as I want my rolls to be tender after baking. Next, I let the dough rise in a warm spot for about an hour until it has doubled in size, which always fills my kitchen with a delicious smell of rising dough. (See the next page below to continue steps…)