One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet Recipe

If the words “freshly baked cinnamon rolls” don’t get your heart racing, these One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet surely will. Imagine swirls of pillowy dough, a generous layer of cinnamon-sugar filling, and a dreamy cream cheese icing—all ready in a fraction of the time you’d expect. Whether it’s a lazy weekend or a bustling morning, this recipe turns out golden, gooey rolls that feel like a hug on a plate. Breakfast, dessert, or mid-afternoon treat… these rolls are about to become your warmest new obsession!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe comes down to a handful of pantry staples, each working extra hard to create the irresistibly tender, sweet flavors you crave. Here’s how every ingredient brings these One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet together.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of our dough, providing structure while keeping things light and fluffy.
• Instant yeast: Cuts down on rising time so your rolls are sky-high and ready in an hour.
• Warm milk (110°F): Activates the yeast and adds a lovely richness to the dough.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the dough and that iconic gooey swirl.
• Egg: Gives the rolls their wonderful softness and golden color.
• Melted butter: Infuses the dough and filling with luscious, buttery flavor (don’t skimp!).
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
• Brown sugar: Partners with cinnamon to create that signature sweet, caramelized swirl.
• Ground cinnamon: The spice superstar—warm, intense, and utterly comforting.
• Cream cheese: The secret to a thick, tangy frosting that melts beautifully over hot rolls.
• Powdered sugar: Blends smoothly into the frosting, creating silky, sweet perfection.
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the icing for a classic bakery finish.

How to Make One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Begin your journey to One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet by warming your milk until it’s just about 110°F—nice and cozy, but not hot. Pour the milk into a bowl, add the instant yeast, and let it sit for a few minutes. When you see the yeast get light and foamy, you’ll know it’s awake and ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Make the Dough

To make the softest cinnamon roll dough, add your flour, granulated sugar, salt, melted butter, egg, and your milk-yeast mixture to a large bowl. Mix until it all comes together and a sticky, shaggy dough forms. This dough doesn’t need much convincing to become tender and beautiful—the secret is not to overwork it.

Step 3: Knead and Rest

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it just enough to make it smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then, let it rest covered for 10 minutes. Even this short pause gives the gluten a chance to relax, ensuring those One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet will have a ridiculously soft texture.

Step 4: Roll Out and Fill

Roll the rested dough into a big rectangle on your floured counter. Brush on that melted butter—it’s what makes every bite flavorful and moist—then sprinkle evenly with your cinnamon-brown sugar mixture. Get to every edge so every roll has a perfect, gooey swirl.

Step 5: Shape and Arrange

Starting from the long side, roll up the dough tightly into a log, then slice into even pieces. Line them up in your greased baking pan, arranging so there’s just a little space in between—this helps them rise together and stay ultra-soft.

Step 6: Proof the Rolls

Here’s where the magic happens fast: Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for 20 minutes. You’ll see them puff up and fill the pan, turning the anticipation for One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet into excitement you can practically smell!

Step 7: Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F while the rolls finish their rise. Slide the pan in and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until they’re golden on top and your kitchen smells absolutely incredible.

Step 8: Make and Spread the Frosting

While the rolls are baking, grab a bowl and beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk if you want it extra-smooth. The moment those rolls come out, slather the frosting on while they’re still warm—this way it sinks into every swirl, making them truly the ultimate One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet.

How to Serve One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet

Garnishes

To put the finishing touch on your One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet, try a dusting of extra cinnamon, chopped pecans, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce. These simple additions make every roll feel bakery-worthy and totally unique.

Side Dishes

Pair your rolls with fresh fruit, a creamy Greek yogurt parfait, or a hot cup of coffee for balance. These sides keep things feeling celebratory and a little luxurious, whether it’s a weekend brunch or a holiday feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the rolls on a beautiful serving platter; stack them high for a dramatic centerpiece! You can also serve them in parchment paper wrappers for an adorable, bakery-style look—perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cover your One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. The frosting actually helps keep them moist, but a quick zap in the microwave will bring them back to pillowy perfection!

Freezing

These rolls are fantastic to freeze for later. Simply let them cool, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze either with or without the frosting—just make sure to thaw at room temperature and frost after reheating if you go that route.

Reheating

Warm your rolls in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or pop one in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. The result? They’ll taste almost like they just came out of the oven—soft, gooey, and sweet!

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Absolutely! Just give the yeast a few extra minutes in the warm milk to get nice and bubbly before mixing it into your dough. Your One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet will still turn out brilliantly tender.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the milk for a dairy-free alternative, and use vegan butter and a plant-based cream cheese for the frosting. The results are still deliciously soft and sweet!

What’s the best way to cut the rolls cleanly?

For picture-perfect swirls, use unflavored dental floss to slice the dough log. Simply slide it under, cross the ends over the top, and pull tight for a neat cut. A sharp knife works too, but be gentle to avoid squishing.

Can I prepare these the night before?

Prepare the rolls up to the slicing and pan-arranging step, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them warm up on the counter while the oven preheats, then bake as directed for fresh, One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet with zero morning stress!

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

No problem! You can make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a little vanilla. It’s quick, easy, and still pairs beautifully with the classic cinnamon-sugar flavors.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to bake a batch of these One Hour Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, Sweet. They’re the kind of recipe that turns ordinary moments into something unforgettable, all without spending half the day in the kitchen. So go ahead—treat yourself and the people you love to a plateful of warm, gooey happiness!

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