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Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls inspired by a trip to Japan. These rolls use a Hokkaido bread base that makes them light and fluffy with all the flavor of a traditional cinnamon roll.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 6 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Stand mixer
  • Glass cooking pan

Ingredients
  

Tangzhong

  • 30 grams bread flour
  • 70 grams whole milk
  • 70 grams water

Cinnamon roll dough

  • 450 grams bread flour
  • 60 grams sugar
  • 1 packet instant yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • 140 grams whole milk
  • 3 tbsp soft butter

Cinnamon filling

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 4 tbsp cinnamon
  • 5 tbsp softened butter

Cream cheese frosting

  • 1 bar cream cheese - softened
  • 1 stick softened butter
  • 2 lbs powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Miscellaneous

  • 3 tbsp Flour for dusting counter
  • 2 tbsp butter for greasing pan
  • 1/2 cup water in an oven safe baking dish

Instructions
 

Tangzhong

  • In a saucepan, heat milk, water, and flour over medium heat and whisk until well combined.
  • Once combined, pull off heat to cool.

Cinnamon roll dough

  • In stand mixer bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, yeast, egg, milk, and butter.
  • Mix for 20 minutes.
  • Place a towel over the dough and let rise on your counter for 2 hours.
  • Butter your glass baking pan and set aside.
  • Mix butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon together until well combined for your filling.
  • Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and spread the cinnamon filling evenly across the bread.
  • Roll the dough into a log and cut into 1 inch slices then place in your baking pan. Cover lightly and let rise for 90 minutes.
  • After rising, preheat oven to 350 with your pan of water on the bottom shelf.
  • Place cinnamon rolls in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully pull out the pan filled with water then continue baking for 10-15 minutes until rolls are done in the center.

Cream cheese frosting

  • In a stand mixer, mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until well combined.
  • Add in powdered sugar 1/2 C at a time until your frosting is a thick consistency. This may take the whole 2 lbs or it may be a little less.

Topping the rolls

  • After the rolls have been taken out of the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Spread icing on the tops of the rolls and serve while still warm.
Keyword Breakfast, Cinnamon rolls, Comfort foods, Desserts, Japan