There is something truly magical about waking up to a batch of warm, homemade Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This delightful twist on a classic treat brings together the comforting flavors of cinnamon and the fresh burst of blueberries, all topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s perfectly tangy and sweet. Whether for a special breakfast or a cozy brunch with friends, these rolls will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and fill bellies with joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients sets you up for success with this recipe. Each component plays a vital role, from the yeast that makes the dough rise to the fresh blueberries that add pops of juicy flavor, and the cream cheese frosting that delivers the final touch of indulgence.
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and keeps the dough soft and tender.
- Active dry yeast: Essential for that fluffy, airy texture in your rolls.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast in the beginning.
- Melted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough and filling.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Eggs: Help bind the dough and contribute to a soft crumb.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the rolls, providing chewiness and shape.
- Fresh blueberries: Offer vibrant color and bursts of juicy sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Creates a deep caramel flavor in the cinnamon filling.
- Cinnamon: The warm spice that pairs beautifully with blueberries.
- Melted butter (for filling): Ensures the cinnamon sugar adheres perfectly.
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, providing tang and creaminess.
- Softened butter (for frosting): Makes the frosting silky smooth and rich.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for that perfect spread.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, fragrant note to the frosting.
How to Make Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture
Begin by dissolving the active dry yeast in warm milk along with a teaspoon of granulated sugar. This activates the yeast, allowing it to foam up and signal readiness, which means your rolls will be light and airy. Give it about 10 minutes to become frothy—it’s the little signs that indicate you’re on the right track.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Once your yeast mixture is bubbling with life, mix in the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Gradually sprinkle in the flour while stirring to form a soft dough. Knead this dough on a floured surface for about five minutes until it feels smooth and elastic, which is key to getting those soft, pillowy rolls.
Step 3: First Rise
Pop your dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it relax and rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—usually about an hour. This resting period lets the yeast do its magic, resulting in a dough that’s full of tiny air pockets, perfect for tender rolls.
Step 4: Prepare the Filling
While your dough is rising, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon to create an aromatic filling. Once risen, roll the dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Brush it with melted butter, then sprinkle your cinnamon sugar evenly over the surface. Finally, scatter fresh blueberries across the top, pressing them gently so they stick without bursting prematurely.
Step 5: Form the Rolls
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal the edges. Use unscented dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces; floss makes clean cuts without squishing the rolls. Place these rolls carefully into a greased baking dish, giving them a little space to grow.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the rolls once more and let them rise until puffed and nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. This final rise makes the cinnamon rolls beautifully soft and light in the oven.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for around 25 minutes until they’re golden brown on top. If you notice the tops are browning too quickly, tent them loosely with foil to prevent burning while the insides finish baking.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
While the rolls are baking, whip up the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until silky. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until your frosting is smooth, creamy, and perfectly spreadable.
Step 9: Finish
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, slather them generously with the cream cheese frosting so it melts down the sides. This final step takes the Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness.
How to Serve Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
To up the wow factor, sprinkle a few extra fresh blueberries or a light dusting of cinnamon on top before serving. A small drizzle of honey or a few mint leaves can also add a fresh, decorative touch that complements the flavors perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these rolls with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or a refreshing glass of cold milk to balance their sweetness. A side of fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait can balance the richness while keeping breakfast or brunch feeling fresh and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch table showstopper, arrange your Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe on a tiered cake stand. Serve warm with extra frosting on the side for guests to help themselves. You could also place individual rolls in pretty cupcake liners or a rustic wooden tray for a cozy, inviting vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them soft and fresh. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration is fine but bring them back to room temperature or warm briefly before enjoying.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. These can be stored for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before serving to revive that just-baked feeling.
Reheating
Reheat rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm them in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. Add a dab of extra cream cheese frosting or butter after warming for a melty, irresistible treat.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work well when fresh ones aren’t available. Just make sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly to avoid excess moisture making your dough soggy.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You can substitute with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. It won’t be as rich and tangy, but it still adds a sweet finishing touch to your rolls.
How can I tell if the yeast is still good?
If your yeast mixture doesn’t get frothy after 10 minutes in warm milk and sugar, your yeast might be expired or the water too hot or cold. Always test before moving on to ensure your rolls rise perfectly.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough up to the first rise, then refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise fully the next day before rolling out and adding filling.
Why are my cinnamon rolls dense instead of fluffy?
This can happen if the dough wasn’t kneaded enough, didn’t rise fully, or the yeast wasn’t activated properly. Ensuring proper kneading and rise times is key to light, fluffy rolls.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like the joy of pulling warm, fragrant Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe out of your oven and sharing them with loved ones. This recipe is a beautiful blend of classic comfort and fresh, fruity delight that’s perfect any time you want to treat yourself to a little sweetness. I hope you dive in and find as much happiness in making and eating these as I do sharing them with you.
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Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls, packed with fresh blueberries and a cinnamon-sugar filling, topped with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or sweet treat, these homemade rolls are made from scratch with a classic yeast dough, filled generously, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (plus 1 teaspoon for the yeast mixture)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk along with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit until it becomes frothy, about 10 minutes, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: To the yeast mixture, add the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, and gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar filling. On a floured surface, roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle. Brush the dough evenly with melted butter, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture across the surface, and scatter fresh blueberries on top. Gently press the blueberries into the dough to help them stay in place.
- Form the Rolls: Starting from the long edge of the dough rectangle, roll the dough tightly into a cylinder. Pinch the edges to seal the seam, then slice the roll into 12 equal pieces using unscented dental floss for clean cuts. Arrange the rolls cut side up in a greased baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls loosely and allow them to rise again until puffed and nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25 minutes until they turn golden brown. If the tops start browning too quickly, tent the rolls with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Make the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Finish: Once the rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use unscented dental floss to cut the rolls for cleaner slices without squishing the dough.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
- If fresh blueberries are not available, frozen blueberries can be used but should be thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture.
- To prevent the tops from burning during baking, loosely cover the rolls with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly.
- The rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
