Indulge in the magic of the holiday season with these irresistibly soft and fluffy Christmas Eve Cinnamon Buns—your perfect companion for a cozy winter celebration. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these homemade rolls are elevated with a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts into every swirl. With a pillowy dough enriched by whole milk and butter, these buns strike the perfect balance between comfort and festive decadence. Easy to make ahead for stress-free holiday mornings, they rise to golden perfection in just 20 minutes of baking. Serve fresh from the oven with a generous smear of frosting, and let the enchanting aroma of cinnamon fill your home. This is the ultimate Christmas treat to share with loved ones!
In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm (but not boiling). Remove from heat and stir in the butter and granulated sugar until the butter melts. Let cool to about 40°C (105°F).
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk mixture and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the milk-yeast mixture. Add the egg and stir until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5-7 minutes.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
In a small bowl, mix the light brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make the filling.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 35x25 cm (14x10 inches). Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture evenly across the surface.
Starting from the long edge of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased or parchment-lined 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) baking dish, leaving some space between each roll. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
While the buns are baking, make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon buns and serve immediately. Enjoy the festive flavors of Christmas Eve!
Calories |
3928 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 142.9 g | 183% | |
| Saturated Fat | 79.1 g | 395% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 584 mg | 195% | |
| Sodium | 2986 mg | 130% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 606.6 g | 221% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.8 g | 67% | |
| Total Sugars | 285.4 g | ||
| Protein | 66.9 g | 134% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.1 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 700 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 21.2 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 1372 mg | 29% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.