Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls

Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Cuisine: American / Homemade Baked Goods
• Category: Breakfast / Dessert
• Keywords: Cinnamon Rolls, Walnut Rolls, Cream Cheese Frosting, Sweet Buns, deesviral
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls

Ingredients

Dough:

• 7 Tbsp (80g) sugar
• 1 tsp (4g) dry yeast
• 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm milk
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (4g) salt

Filling:

• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup (75g) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (90g) chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp butter, softened
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 Tbsp milk, to thin if needed

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, and lukewarm milk. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add egg, oil, flour, and salt. Mix and knead into a soft dough (about 7–10 minutes by hand or mixer).
3. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle (about ¼ inch thick). Spread with softened butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and chopped walnuts.
5. Roll tightly from the long side. Slice into 12 even pieces and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown.
8. While rolls cool slightly, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
9. Spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

• Sticky dough? Add flour 1 Tbsp at a time while kneading — but keep it soft!
• Flat rolls? Don’t skip the rise time. Dough must double for fluffiness.
• Too dry? Avoid overbaking — check at the 18-minute mark.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temp: Store frosted rolls up to 2 days in an airtight container.
• Fridge: Unfrosted rolls last 4–5 days. Reheat and frost before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in oven.

Why This Recipe Works

These rolls rise beautifully, thanks to a high-moisture dough and long resting time. The rich cinnamon-walnut swirl gives texture and warmth, while the cream cheese frosting brings a tangy finish. Every bite is fluffy, buttery, and sweet — a deesviral winner!

Expert Tips

• Let ingredients come to room temperature for the best dough texture.
• Use string or dental floss to slice clean cinnamon roll spirals.
• Top with extra walnuts or a dusting of cinnamon before baking for a bakery-style finish.