North Pole Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Soft cinnamon rolls with creamy frosting and a festive assortment of winter toppings for holiday mornings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup warm whole milk
02 - 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1 cup packed brown sugar
10 - 2½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1½ cups powdered sugar
14 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
15 - 1–2 tablespoons milk

→ Board Garnishes

16 - Mini marshmallows
17 - Peppermint candies
18 - White chocolate chips
19 - Fresh raspberries
20 - Sliced strawberries
21 - Sprigs of fresh mint
22 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine warm milk and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
02 - Whisk in granulated sugar, eggs, and melted butter. Stir in all-purpose flour and salt until a dough forms.
03 - Knead dough by hand or with a dough hook for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
05 - Roll dough on a floured surface into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter evenly over dough, then sprinkle with packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
07 - Roll dough tightly from the long edge and cut into 12 equal slices.
08 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
10 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add milk to achieve desired consistency.
11 - Let rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread with cream cheese frosting.
12 - Arrange frosted rolls on a large serving board. Decorate with mini marshmallows, peppermint candies, white chocolate chips, fresh raspberries, sliced strawberries, mint sprigs, and dust with powdered sugar.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Soft homemade cinnamon rolls
  • Delightful wintry toppings
02 -
  • Add a drizzle of caramel sauce or sprinkle with crushed candy canes for extra holiday flair.
  • For a nutty twist, include chopped pecans in the filling.
03 -
  • Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to activate yeast properly.
  • Let the rolls rise adequately for fluffy texture.
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