Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

There is nothing more comforting than the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. These homemade cinnamon rolls are ultra‑soft, fluffy, rich, and topped with creamy cream‑cheese frosting. Perfect for holidays, special breakfasts, or anytime you want a cozy treat.

📝 Recipe Overview

* Prep Time: 25 minutes

* Resting Time: 2 hours

* Bake Time: 20–25 minutes

* Total Time: ~3 hours

* Servings: 8 rolls

* Difficulty: Easy–Medium

🥛 Ingredients Dough

* 3/4 cup warm milk (180 ml)

* 1/4 cup melted butter (57 g)

* 1/4 cup sugar (50 g)

* 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (7 g)

* 1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk (room temperature)

* 3 cups all‑purpose flour (360 g)

* 1/4 tsp salt (1 g)

Cinnamon Filling

* 1/4 cup melted butter (57 g)

* 3/4 cup brown sugar (180 g)

* 3 tsp ground cinnamon (8 g)

Optional Gooey Bottom Layer

* 1/4 cup soft butter (57 g)

* 2 tbsp heavy cream (30 g)

* 1/2 cup brown sugar (100 g)

Cream Cheese Frosting

* 2 tbsp butter, softened (28 g)

* 4 oz cream cheese, softened (113 g)

* 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (5 g)

* 1–1.5 cups powdered sugar (120–180 g)

👩‍🍳 Step‑by‑Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add melted butter, egg, and egg yolk. Mix well. Gradually add flour and salt. Knead until smooth and soft.

Tip: If the dough feels sticky, lightly grease your hands and surface with olive oil instead of adding extra flour.

Step 3: First Rise

Cover the dough and let it rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size. A warm oven with the light on works perfectly.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread the filling evenly, roll tightly, and cut into 8 rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place rolls in a greased pan, cover, and rest for 30 minutes.

Step 7: Bake

Pour heavy cream over the rolls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.

🧈 Optional Gooey Bottom Layer

Mix butter, cream, and brown sugar. Spread on the pan before placing rolls. This creates an extra‑gooey caramel base.

🍰 Cream Cheese Frosting

Whip butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add vanilla and powdered sugar gradually. Adjust consistency with cream or maple syrup if needed.

Spread frosting over warm (not hot) cinnamon rolls.

⭐ Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

* Use room‑temperature eggs for better texture

* Do not over‑flour the dough

* Heavy cream makes rolls ultra‑soft

* Frost while warm for best melt

🎄 Why These Cinnamon Rolls Are Perfect for Christmas

These rolls are soft, fluffy, rich, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor. They can be prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning, making them ideal for Christmas breakfast traditions.

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Gooey & Bakery‑Style)