Description

These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls bring festive cheer with their soft, fluffy dough filled with a cinnamon-brown sugar mixture and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or cozy gatherings, this recipe yields 12 irresistible rolls that are sure to delight your family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup milk, warm
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients

1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened (for spreading)

Glaze Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, sugar, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Form Dough: Gradually add all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously until a soft dough forms.
Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Roll Out Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
Add Filling: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough rectangle. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly on top of the butter.
Shape Rolls: Starting from one of the longer sides, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 even rolls.
Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased baking pan, cover, and let them rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top.
Prepare Glaze and Serve: While the rolls bake, mix the powdered sugar with vanilla extract to form a smooth glaze. Once baked, drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use warm milk (about 110°F) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
Ensure the dough rises in a draft-free, warm area to get the best fluffiness.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon-sugar filling.
These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
Reheat gently before serving to restore softness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, holiday breakfast, homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls, vanilla glaze, festive baking