These Mini Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese frosting are perfect for brunch or special occasions! They’re gooey bite-size pieces of perfection!
A few weeks ago our family got hit by a bug, and it seemed to last for weeks. Our kids were quarantined (or at least that’s what it felt like) for several days, which means things went from unpleasant to miserable in a hurry. I decided it was time for a sweet little distraction, so we hopped in the kitchen and got to work rolling out a batch of these mini cinnamon rolls. Now, I know everyone has their go-to cinnamon roll recipe, but this one is a must-try! They bake up light, fluffy, and full of gooey cinnamon brown sugar filling. And that cream cheese frosting? Heavenly.
Why mini cinnamon rolls? Well, because sometimes you just want a bite, right? Also, they were the perfect size for our tiny little humans to consume. They’d also be great to take to parties or special occasions- think finger food! We rolled out the dough, spread the filling over top, and then cut them into 24 strips using a pizza cutter. They don’t have to be perfect, which I love (also a bonus when you’re baking with kids).
The kids helped me roll them into “snails” and then we placed them into a baking dish to rise before we popped them into the oven. After 18 minutes they were golden brown and baked throughout.
While they were cooling I mixed up the cream cheese frosting. It’s a relatively mild frosting, meaning it doesn’t have an overpowering cream cheese flavor. I love cream cheese, but I think this frosting works well because it lets every part of the cinnamon roll shine.
If you need something to make for brunch or a tired of those BIG gigantic cinnamon rolls, give these mini ones a try! They’re ready to go in about 90 minutes and taste better than any bakery cinnamon roll I’ve had. Don’t trust me? Make them and see for yourself! Happy baking! ?
Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- 1/4 cup butter - melted
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp +1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese - room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter - room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp whole milk - to desired thickness
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl (or glass measuring cup), combine the sugar, butter, water, and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted (about 1 minute on HIGH). Let the mixture cool to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
- If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and set on the lowest mixing setting for 4 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic. Alternatively, knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and allow it to rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
- Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it measures a 24x16-inch rectangle. Prepare the filling by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl except for the butter. Spread the butter over the rolled dough, then cover with the filling. Using a pizza cutter, cut out 24 strips of dough. Roll each into a tight roll.
- Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish and gently place a piece of aluminum foil over the top. Turn off the oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 45 minutes.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes or until the centers are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before frosting. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beating by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over the tops of the rolls.
First time making these and I’m so happy with how they turned out. They tasted incredible!!!
They’re ok. My dough needed more flour. The size that you have to roll to is too large and the dough to cinnamon sugar ratio is way off
I made these last night and put them in the fridge with plastic wrap over them. Then this morning, I took them out 30 minutes before I continued with step 6. Allowed them to rise and then baked—they turned out SO delish! Will be making this again!
Thank you for the idea! I will try it😁