Cinnamon Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
For the Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk (optional, to thin the frosting)
Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
1. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Add the melted butter, egg, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Stir to combine.
3. Gradually add the remaining flour and knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
1. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
2. Spread the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
3. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
4. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
4. Bake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy.
3. If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk to reach your desired consistency.
6. Frost and Serve:
1. Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese frosting generously over the top.
2. Serve warm and enjoy!
These cinnamon walnut rolls are deliciously soft, with the perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness and the rich, tangy cream cheese frosting.
