There is nothing quite like pulling a pan of warm cinnamon rolls out of the oven—especially when they’re impossibly soft, fluffy, and filled with that cozy cinnamon-sugar swirl. These are the kind of cinnamon rolls that feel bakery-level but are made right at home, perfect for slow mornings, holidays, or anytime you want to make something extra special. Each roll bakes up tall and pillowy with a tender crumb that stays soft long after they cool. This has become our Christmas morning tradition and they are well worth the 5am wake up call.

The secret to that irresistible texture is a Japanese-style flour paste (often called tangzhong), made with water, milk, and flour, which locks moisture into the dough and creates that chewy, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Just before baking, the rolls are drenched in heavy whipping cream, ensuring they come out rich and ultra-soft, then finished with a generous layer of tangy cream cheese frosting that melts into every swirl. One bite and you’ll understand why these cinnamon rolls are truly next level. Enjoy!

Soft and Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

Paste

• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup hot tap water
• 1/3 cup bread flour

Rolls

• prepared paste
• 3 tsp instant yeast (2 packets)
• 2/3 cup milk warmed to 100° F
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 Tbs salted butter melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 2/3 cup bread flour
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream to pour over rolls before baking

Cinnamon Filling

• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup salted butter softened

Icing

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1.5 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla
• 2 Tbs milk

Directions:

Bloom the Yeast:

1. In a sauce pan, heat 2/3 cup milk to 100-110 degrees. Use a candy thermometer to check. Pour into a mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast over the top, gently stir and let sit to bloom.

Make the Paste:

1. Meanwhile, in the same sauce pan, combine, water, milk and flour and whisk until a thick paste forms. Remove from heat.

Make the Dough:

1. To the yeast and milk, add sugar, melted butter, egg salt and prepared paste. Mix until everything is combined.
2. Add bread flour 1 cup at a time to the mixture, stirring and allowing to incorporate between each cup. Once it’s come together, switch out the paddle for the dough hook and knead for 15 minutes. (this is where having a stand mixer comes in handy!) 
3. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover and put somewhere warm for 1 hour to rise. (set your oven to 100 then turn it off and place it in there!) 

Prepare Cinnamon Filling:

1. While the dough is rising, combine the ingredients for the cinnamon filling in a bowl. You can spread the butter onto the dough and then sprinkle these ingredients on top of that but I prefer to mix them into the butter so I have a cinnamon butter spread that can go directly onto the dough and not worry about the spices falling out. 

Fill and Assemble the Rolls:

1. Once dough has doubled in size, roll out onto a floured surface into a rectangle, about 25 x 15.
2. Spread cinnamon butter mixture on dough reaching all the way to the edges.
3. Tightly roll the dough starting at the short end and rolling down the 25″ side. Press and seal dough at the end.
4. Using unflavored dental floss, shimmy the floss under the dough log and bring it up, cross the floss and pull tightly to make a nice clean cut of cinnamon roll. 
5. Place roll in a large greased casserole dish. 
6. Repeat with the rest of the rolls.
7. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 more hour.

Prepare and Bake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and pour heavy whipping cream on top of rolls.
2. Bake for 15 minutes and then bump your oven up to 375 for an additional 10 or until they are golden brown.

For the Frosting:

1. While the rolls bake, make your icing by whipping together butter and 1 cup of the powered sugar in a stand mixer or using a hand mixer.
2. Add the cream cheese and remaining powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until you reach your desired consistency. Add up to 2 Tbs milk if you want it thinner.
3. Cool cinnamon rolls for about 5 minutes and then lather icing on top.
4. Enjoy!!