You will need: Flour, vanilla flavoring, 250 grams of cream cheese, 1stick of butter, 3 eggs, cinnamon powder, sugar, active dry yeast, milk, lemon juice

Instructions:

• 3/4 lukewarm milk (if its too hot or too cold it will kill the yeast)
• 1 tsp sugar
• The first step is to get the yeast mixture ready
• The packet of yeast I used is 7 grams/2 1/4 tsps
• To the stand mixer’s bowl add the warm milk
• Add the yeast
• Add 1 tsp sugar
• Give it a stir
• Cover with plastic
• Set the yeast mixer aside for about 10 minutes or until it gets frothy on top
• Add 3/4 tsp of salt to 3 cups all purpose
• Sift them together
• For the next steps you will need eggs, sugar, vanilla, and butter
• You will need 1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks, separate the two egg yolks (put them in a separate bowl)
• 1 egg and 2 egg yolks
• Melt 1/4 cup butter 9make sure its not hot when you pour it in the bowl)
• To the yeast mixture add 1/4 cup sugar
• Add 1/4 cup melted butter
• Add 1 egg and 2 yolks
• Add 1 tsp vanilla
• Mix until well combined
• Now add the dry ingredients (flour and salt) in two batches
• Mix until the dough starts to from, then replace the mixer’s paddle attachment with the hook attachment to knead the dough (For 8 minutes with the hook attachment), or knead it by hand for 10 to 15 minutes
• You know the dough is ready when it’s sticky but springs back to the touch
• Shape the dough into a ball and transfer it to an oiled bowl
• Cover the bowl with plastic and a towel
• Place it in a warm draft free area (I put mine in the microwave and closed the door)
• I placed a lit candle underneath my microwave to keep it warm
• After 1 or 1 1/2 hour the dough should have doubled in size

For the filling:

• In the mixing bowl add 1 cup of brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder
• Add 1 tsp vanilla
• Add the butter (room temperature)
• Mix well until you reach a paste like consistency

Time to roll the dough:

• star by cleaning your surface or work area
• Poke the dough a little to let some of the air out
• Four the surface and transfer the dough to the counter.
• With your hands, create a rectangular shape so that it’s easier to maintain that shape throughout the dough rolling process
• Roll the dough
• Add the filling
• With a spatula, transfer the filling on top of the dough
• Gently spread it on the dough
• Until the dough is easily covered with the filling mixture
• Roll the dough, starting from the shorter side of the rectangle
• I measured the length of my roll with measuring tape and made slight knife marks on top so my rolls can be as equal as possible in size when I cut them. I used a piece of dental floss to cut them
• Dental floss works better than a knife
• Transfer the cinnamon rolls to a greased pan. I used a cheesecake springform pan, so I can easily get them from the pan once baked
• Cover the pans and set aside for 45 minutes to let the dough rise again

For the icing:

• You will need: 1 cup of butter, 1 tsp of milk, 1 tsp lemon juice, 3 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tsps vanilla, 250 grams of cream cheese
• Add the softened cream cheese and butter to the mixer’s bowl
• Mix them together until they are well combined
• Add the powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, while mixing
• When you reach this creamy smooth icing consistency add the rest of the icing ingredients
• Add 1 tsp lemon juice
• Add 1 teaspoon milk
• Add 2 tsps vanilla
• Add the lemon juice and give it a last mix
• The icing is now ready

Oven time!

• Place the pans in a 350F preheated oven, on the middle rack. The total baking time is about 20-25 minutes
• Take them out of the oven after 10 minutes and pour 1 tablespoon of cream on top of each roll (this will make them juicier) DON’T SKIP THIS STEP IT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!
• Put the pans back in the oven until the rolls are fully cooked (about 15 more minutes)
• If any spirals stick up from the center, simply push them back in with a spatula
• My favorite part is the icing!
• Put a spoon of icing on top of each roll, as soon as they come out of the oven
• Spread the icing on the hot cinnamon rolls
• You can stop at this point or add caramel sauce and pecans like I did.
• Viola!