Here’s a soft, fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe—pillowy rolls, gooey centers, crunchy walnuts, and a rich tangy frosting. Perfect for weekends or holidays.
🍥 Soft & Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 4½–5 cups all-purpose flour
Filling Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½–2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours, until doubled.
Prepare & Assemble
- Roll dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Spread softened butter evenly over dough.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly.
- Scatter walnuts over the filling.
- Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 12 rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13 pan.
- Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake 22–26 minutes until lightly golden.
Make Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until creamy.
Finish
- Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls.
Pro Tips for Ultra-Soft Rolls
- Don’t over-flour the dough—it should be slightly sticky.
- Warm milk, not hot, keeps yeast alive.
- Frost while warm for gooey rolls; cool for thicker frosting.
Variations
- Maple-Walnut: Add 2 tbsp maple syrup to frosting.
- Extra gooey: Pour ½ cup warm heavy cream over rolls before baking.
- Overnight rolls: Refrigerate after shaping, bake next morning.
If you’d like, I can also give you a no-knead version, bread-machine recipe, or small-batch (6-roll) option 🍥🌰