Instant Pot Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting. There is nothing more comforting than the smell of sweet cinnamon on a weekend morning. Your mouth will be watering from the delicious look and aroma of these fluffy Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls!
What is Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cinnamon rolls or buns exist in almost every global culture’s cuisine. Everyone loves the flavor of sweetened cinnamon and cinnamon rolls are the perfect way to celebrate that warm flavor! Cinnamon rolls are made from yeasted and enriched dough that is filled with a sweet cinnamon mixture and rolled into beautiful buns. Crowning these rolls with cream cheese is a decadent and rich way to compliment the warm spice flavor of cinnamon.
What You Will Love About These Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls
It’s a Nostalgic Nosh!
Butter and fluffy cinnamon rolls have a magic power to transport us back to childhood. Their familiar flavor will take you right back to being a kid on the weekend when your parents surprise you with a sweet cinnamon roll, only these ones taste even better!
The Sweet Smell of Simplicity!
Some people think that baking is too technical or tough to do at home, but this recipe proves that’s not true! Using simple methods and accessible ingredients this recipe can help novice bakers feel comfortable making something special! Impress your loved ones with the sweet smell of baked goods, because nothing tastes better than homemade!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yeast Mixture Ingredients:
Active Dry Yeast
This is a form of live yeast that is in a state of dormancy. Mixing the yeast with warm water allows it to wake up and bloom.
Warm Water
This is what wakes the yeast up. It can be helpful to measure the temperature of the water. Ideally, the temperature will be between 105°F and 110°F.
Tangzhong Mixture Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour
Tangzhong-style breadmaking uses a powerful paste made from cooked flour and liquid. The A.P. Flour used for this will add structure and texture to the bread.
Milk
Milk adds a little sweetness to the Tangzhong. Any fat-content milk will work.
Water
To add liquid to the Tangzhong mixture.
Dough Ingredients:
Yeast Mixture (See Above)
Tangzhong Mixture (See Above)
All-Purpose Flour
A.P. Flour is a great choice for baking. It has a nice protein content for making all sorts of baked goods including these airy cinnamon rolls!
Salt
Salt gives the dough a balanced flavor and helps the yeast grow.
Milk
Dairy gives the dough sweetness and body. Any fat-content milk will do!
Large Egg
Egg helps leaven and add elasticity to the dough.
Unsalted Butter
Butter makes these rolls flakey and rich. Unsalted butter is best for baking. In a pinch, salted butter will work, but then you may want to cut down the amount of salt you add to the dough.
Cinnamon Filling Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter
Using butter for the filling makes the sweetened cinnamon easy to spread over the whole dough and adds a little extra richness.
Dark Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar gives the cinnamon filling a great texture and sweetness.
Cinnamon
This is the star of the whole bake! Use ground cinnamon or fresh grind your own if you have a spice grinder.
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
Cream Cheese
Delicious and rich cream cheese has the perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness for icing these sweet rolls.
Powdered Sugar
Gives the frosting texture and sweetness. Be sure to sift your powdered sugar to avoid getting clumps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Yeast Mixture:
- Warm the water in the microwave for six seconds. The idea is not to overheat the water so that it will not kill the yeast. Mix and set aside until the yeast blooms. This takes about five to ten minutes.
Make the Tangzhong Mixture:
- Turn on the heat to low. Place the Tangzhong ingredients into the small saucepan and mix them. Continually mix on low heat until the mixture becomes pasty, but not burnt. This process takes five to eight minutes.
Make the Cinnamon Filling:
- Place the melted butter and ground cinnamon into a medium size bowl and mix.
Make the Dough Base:
- Place parchment paper into your bread pan and spray nonstick oil. Set aside. Attach your hook attachment to the electric mixer. Place the flour, white granulated sugar, and salt. egg, yeast mixture, and Tangzhong mixture in the electric mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients to low speed until the mixture will look like wet sand.
- Now you can add the softened butter. Mix to medium speed. The mixture will look really wet, but eventually, it will form into a dough. Mix until the flour is smooth, about seven minutes of mixing.
- Remove the dough and form it into a ball. Brush the bowl you used with oil and return the dough to the bowl. Turn the dough so that it will be coated with oil. Cover and place the dough in a warm place for one hour.
- After an hour, sprinkle your working area with flour. Coat your rolling pin with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle- about one-fourth inch thick.
- Fill generously with the cinnamon filling. Roll the dough into a twelve-inch long log and cut the dough equally using kitchen twine or dental floss. Place into the prepared bread pan. Cover the dough with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place for thirty minutes
How to Bake in the Instant Pot:
- Prepare the pan by lining it with parchment paper and spraying it with nonstick oil. Set it aside. Place the trivet in the inner pot. Let the trivet hold the pan together. Place the inner pot into the instant pot base and cover it with the air fryer lid. Push the bake setting button and set the temperature to 350 F. Set the timer to fourteen minutes.
How to Bake in an Oven:
- Place the oven rack in the middle layer. Do the steps mentioned and preheat the oven to 350 F. When the oven is ready, place the bread pan in the middle of the rack and bake for eighteen to twenty minutes. Start checking the bread at eighteen minutes by tapping the bread. If it sounds hollow, the bread is done.
Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
- Place the cream cheese into a medium-sized bowl and mix the cream cheese using an electric hand mixer. Add the powdered sugar in three intervals and add a small amount of milk in three intervals as well. Mix until the icing is smooth.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use the time the dough is mixing to mix the cinnamon filling so you’re ready to roll!
- Let the cream cheese soften a little and mix the frosting while the rolls bake.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Rolls?
Serve these rolls for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. Serve them with coffee or orange juice for a perfectly sweet pairing!
How to Store Cinnamon Rolls and Cream Cheese Frosting
These delicious cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature for two days. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and keep them in a cool spot on the countertop.
If you did not use all the cream cheese frosting on the rolls, put the remainder in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
How to Reheat Cinnamon Rolls
Place a single cinnamon roll on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 15 seconds. Test the middle for hotness and then optionally continue heating for another 10 seconds. Be aware that if your cinnamon roll already has cream cheese frosting on it, it might melt in the reheating process.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved making this brunch favorite try some of my other recipes like this awesome drink to pair with your cinnamon rolls:
Dalgona Matcha Recipe (With and Without Egg)
And if you need something savory to complete your brunch try these delicious breakfast ideas:
Bread Recipe:
- Instant Pot Japanese Milk Bread
- Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
- Instant Pot Pandan Pandesal
- Instant Pot Red Velvet Pandesal
- Instant Pot Meat Bread
- How to Make Spanish Bread
- How to Make Pandesal Ube with Cheese Filling
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Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp Plus Air fryer lid 8 quart
- 1 round pan 8 inch
- dental floss or kitchen twine
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
- 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1/8 cup warm water
Tangzhong Mixture
- 1 tbsp all- purpose flour
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 1/2 tbsp water
Dough Ingredients
- yeast mixture see above
- tangzhong mixture see above
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
Cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
Icing Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
Yeast Mixture
- Warm the water in the microwave for six seconds. The idea is not to overheat the water so that it will not kill the yeast. Mix and set aside until the yeast blooms. This takes about five to ten minutes.
Tangzhong Mixture
- Turn on the heat to low. Place the Tangzhong ingredients into the small saucepan and mix them together. Continually mix on low heat until the mixture becomes pasty, but not burnt. This process takes five to eight minutes.
Dough Base
- Place parchment paper into your bread pan and spray nonstick oil. Set aside. Attach your hook attachment to the electric mixer. Place the flour, white granulated sugar, and salt. egg, yeast mixture, and Tangzhong mixture in the electric mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients to low speed until the mixture will look like wet sand.Now you can add the softened butter. Mix to medium speed. The mixture will look really wet, but eventually, it will form into a dough. Mix until the flour is smooth, about seven minutes of mixing.Remove the dough and form it into a ball. Brush the bowl you used with oil and return the dough back into it. Turn the dough so that it will be coated with oil. Cover and place the dough in a warm place for one hour.After an hour, sprinkle your working area with flour. Coat your rolling pin with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle- about one-fourth inch thick. Fill generously with the cinnamon filling. Roll the dough into a twelve-inch long log and cut the dough equally using kitchen twine or dental floss. Place into the prepared bread pan. Cover the dough with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place for thirty minutes.
Baking the Cinnamon Roll in the Instant Pot
- Prepare the pan by lining it with parchment paper and spraying it with nonstick oil. Set it aside. Place the trivet in the inner pot. Let the trivet hold the pan together. Place the inner pot into the instant pot base and cover it with the air fryer lid. Push the bake setting button and set the temperature to 350 F. Set the timer to fourteen minutes.
How to Bake in the a oven
- Place the oven rack in the middle layer. Do the steps mentioned and preheat the oven to 350 F. When the oven is ready, place the bread pan in the middle of the rack and bake for eighteen to twenty minutes. Start checking the bread at eighteen minutes by tapping the bread. If it sounds hollow, the bread is done.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Place the cream cheese into a medium-sized bowl and mix the cream cheese using an electric hand mixer. Add the powdered sugar in three intervals and add a small amount of milk in three intervals as well. Mix until the icing is smooth and liquidy. Add more liquid as needed.
Cinnamon Filling
- Place the melted butter, ground cinnamon into a medium size bowl and mix together.
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