Cinnamon & Nutmeg Rolls
“When I needed a new hobby to beat winter blues, this cinnamon roll recipe changed everything. Kneading dough and the smell of cinnamon hooked me. Gooey, spiced rolls with cream cheese glaze became my comfort bake—I can’t imagine winter without them!”
Phoebe Hall
Project Manager - Creative
London
What pairs best with this recipe?
These cinnamon rolls pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a spiced chai latte to enhance the cozy vibes. For an indulgent treat, top them with a drizzle of caramel sauce or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re even better shared with friends—nothing brings people together like a tray of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven.
What were some of your 2024 obsessions?
This year, I’ve been obsessed with “Traitors”, dreaming of the Cotswolds, and staying cozy with my electric blanket. Dressing gown curls have also been my go-to for effortless, heat-free waves—it’s all about comfort and a touch of drama in 2024!
PREP TIME: 2 hours
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 2 hours HOURS 20 minutes
SERVES: Serves 9-18
Ingredients:
For the dough:
¾ cup (180g) warm milk (whole milk or 2% preferred) (110 degrees F/ 43 degrees C) - don’t over heat!
2 ¼ teaspoons quick rise or active yeast (1/4-ounce package yeast)*
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
¼ cup (57g) butter, melted (I prefer salted, but unsalted works, too)
3 cups (360g) bread flour, plus more for dusting
¾ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
⅔ cup (142g) dark brown sugar (light brown sugar also works
2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 ½ tablespoons ground nutmeg
¼ cup (57g) butter, softened
For the cream cheese frosting:
4 oz (112g) cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
¾ cup (85g) powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For extra spice, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon & nutmeg
Instructions:
Step 1
Warm milk to around 110 degrees F/ 43 degrees C. I like to do this by placing milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwaving it for 40-45 seconds. It should be like warm bath water. Transfer warm milk to the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle yeast on top.
Step 2
Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Next stir in flour and salt with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form.
Step 3
Place dough hook on stand mixer and knead dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball and be slightly sticky. If it's too sticky (meaning it's sticking to the bottom of the mixer, add in 2 tablespoons more bread flour.) If you don’t want to use an electric mixer, you can use your hands to knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a well-floured surface.
Step 4
Transfer dough ball to a well-oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size. This may more or less time depending the humidity and temperature in your home.
Step 5
After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 14x9 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a ¼ inch margin at the far side of the dough.
Step 6
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle mixture over the buttered dough, then rub the brown sugar mixture into the butter.
Step 7
Tightly roll dough up, starting from the 9-inch side and place seam side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can. You will probably need to cut off about an inch off the ends of the dough as the ends won’t be as full of cinnamon sugar as we’d want it to be.
For larger Buns, Cut into 1 inch sections with a serrated knife or floss. You should get 9 large pieces. For Small Buns, Cut into ½ inch sections. You should get 15-18 pieces.
Step 8
Place cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x9 inch baking pan or round 9 inch cake pan. (I also recommend lining the pan with parchment paper as well, in case any of the filling ends up leaking out.) Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Step 9
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/ 175 degrees C. Remove plastic wrap and towel and bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. You want to underbake them a little so they stay soft in the middle, that’s why we want them just slightly golden brown. Allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.
Step 10
To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and optional spices. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Spread over cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. Enjoy!
