Heavenly Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Get ready to surrender to the most irresistible cinnamon-walnut rolls you’ve ever tasted! Trust me, these fluffy clouds of joy with a decadent cream cheese frosting are worth every second of baking. Prepare for compliments to roll in!

**Heavenly Cinnamon-Walnut Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting**

**Yields:** 12 rolls

**Prep time:** 30 minutes

**Rise time:** 1 hour 30 minutes

**Bake time:** 20-25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

**For the Dough:**

1 cup (240ml) warm milk (about 105-115°F / 40-46°C)

* 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)

* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar

* 1 large egg, at room temperature

* ⅓ cup (80g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

**For the Filling:**

¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar

* 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

* ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened

* 1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts

**For the Cream Cheese Frosting:**

4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened

* ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened

* 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar

* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1-2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)

**Instructions:**

**1. Make the Dough:**

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

* Add the egg, melted butter, and salt. Mix until well combined.

* Gradually add the flour, about a cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.

* Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, or in the stand mixer on low speed for 6-8 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.

* Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

**2. Assemble the Rolls:**

* Gently punch down the risen dough.

* On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches.

* In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.

* Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along one of the long edges.

* Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the butter.

* Evenly sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the sugar mixture.

* Starting from the long edge opposite the ½-inch border, tightly roll up the dough. Pinch the seam to seal.

* Cut the log into 12 equal slices (about 1 ½ inches thick).

**3. Second Rise:**

Arrange the sliced rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, cut-side up, leaving a little space between them.

* Cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, until puffy.

**4. Bake the Rolls:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

* Remove the cover from the rolls and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

**5. Make the Frosting:**

While the rolls are baking or cooling slightly, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.