Description
These Christmas Mini Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful holiday treat featuring soft, fluffy dough swirled with a rich cinnamon and brown sugar filling. Perfectly sized for sharing, they are topped with a sweet vanilla glaze to brighten your festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup milk (warm)
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (additional for filling mixed with brown sugar)
Icing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a medium bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the yeast mixture, add melted butter, sugar, and the large egg. Stir well to combine into a smooth mixture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and cinnamon thoroughly.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring continuously. Once combined, knead the dough on a floured surface or in the bowl until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling and Roll Dough: Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle. Spread the brown sugar mixed with additional cinnamon evenly over the surface.
- Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from one edge to the other into a log. Cut into small, evenly sized pieces to form individual mini rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the mini rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prepare and Apply Icing: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with vanilla extract to make a smooth icing. Drizzle this over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- For a richer flavor, use melted butter both in the dough and slightly brushed over rolls before baking.
- Adjust cinnamon amounts to taste for the filling and dough if desired.
- These rolls can be prepared a day ahead and warmed before serving.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the rolls to prevent squishing the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cinnamon rolls, mini cinnamon rolls, holiday breakfast, sweet rolls, cinnamon sugar rolls
