Southern Gooey Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

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Southern Gooey Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing are the ultimate brunch indulgence, combining soft, pillowy dough, a rich cinnamon filling and a tasty cream cheese topping for brunch. 

The dough is tender and airy, thanks to a perfect balance of flour, milk and eggs, enriched with butter for a subtle sweetness and luxurious texture. Its gentle rise creates a light and fluffy base.  

The filling is made of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon combined into a gooey, caramel-like layer that melts into the spirals of dough as they bake. A hint of vanilla enhances the warm, spiced flavors, while a pinch of cornstarch ensures the filling stays thick and creamy. 

Topping it off is a velvety cream cheese icing whipped with powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla. This rich, tangy glaze melts into the warm rolls, soaking into every crevice for an irresistibly smooth finish. The tangy cream cheese and sweet icing combine the cinnamon-spiced rolls for that sweet and tangy bite.  

These Southern Gooey cinnamon rolls are perfect for brunch, offering a cozy, indulgent treat that pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea. Their irresistible aroma as they bake fills the kitchen with warmth and sweet aroma, making them a joy to share with family and friends. 

Directions:

1. For the dough: Using a mixer with a dough hook, combine all ingredients until smooth, about 10 minutes.
2. Coat a large bowl with cooking spray and gently place the dough inside. Lightly coat the top of the dough with the cooking spray. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. For the filling: In a medium bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix together into a paste. Reserve.
4. Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
5. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and roll into an 18x7-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough into a log. Seam side down, cut into 12 rolls, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
6. Transfer the rolls to the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes.
7. Remove plastic wrap and bake on the center rack for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan once.
8. For the topping: While rolls are baking, cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar.
9. Slowly add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla. Spread the topping over the warm cinnamon rolls once removed from the oven.

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Leigh An, ALDI Test Kitchen