Introduction
Imagine waking up to the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls — soft, fluffy, and generously swirled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and crunchy walnuts, all topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. This recipe will guide you step-by-step to create these irresistible homemade cinnamon-walnut rolls perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, these rolls are sure to delight!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Baking powder | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1/3 cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Milk | 1 1/2 cups |
| Ground cinnamon | 4 to 5 tablespoons |
| Packed brown sugar | 2 cups |
| Softened butter (for filling) | 3/4 cup |
Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts (to add texture and a nutty flavor to the filling)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Begin by gathering all your ingredients to ensure a smooth baking process. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk or fork to blend the dry ingredients thoroughly, making sure there are no lumps.
Next, add the softened butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is essential to create a tender, flaky texture in the dough.
In a separate smaller bowl, crack the large egg and beat it lightly with a fork. Pour in the milk and whisk together until fully combined. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or spatula. Keep stirring just until a soft, cohesive dough forms — avoid overmixing, as that can make the rolls tough.
2. Roll Out the Dough
Sprinkle a clean surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Transfer the dough onto the floured surface and use a rolling pin to gently roll it out into a large rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick. Aim for a shape roughly 12 by 18 inches — this size works well to roll up and slice into perfect cinnamon rolls.
3. Add the Filling
Spread the softened butter evenly over the entire surface of the rolled dough. This buttery layer will help the cinnamon and sugar mixture stick and create that signature gooey swirl.
Sprinkle the ground cinnamon evenly over the buttered dough, followed by the packed brown sugar. If using walnuts, sprinkle them on now for extra crunch and flavor.
Make sure the filling is distributed evenly so every roll has a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
4. Form the Rolls
Starting from one of the long edges, carefully and tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Take your time to roll it firmly but gently, so the filling doesn’t spill out.
Once rolled, pinch the seam along the edge to seal the log and prevent it from unraveling during baking.
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