Start your day with an irresistible twist on a classic favorite—Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls. These warm, soft rolls are infused with the spicy sweetness of cinnamon and filled with the fresh, juicy burst of blueberries. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or brunch. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe guarantees soft, delicious rolls that will brighten up any morning.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls, gather the following ingredients and prepare them before starting the recipe:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, but thawed and drained)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of warm milk with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and stir gently. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly. This step ensures that the yeast is activated and ready to help the dough rise. If the mixture doesn’t froth, your yeast may be expired, so be sure to check the date before use.
2. Make the Dough:
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs into the bowl. Mix everything together.
- Gradually add the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, stirring until a soft dough begins to form. Use your hands to knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but avoid adding too much, as you want the dough to remain soft and slightly tacky.
3. First Rise:
- Place the dough in a large, greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. The dough should feel soft and light to the touch after rising.
4. Prepare the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
- In another bowl, melt the butter for the filling. Once the dough has risen, you’ll use this mixture to create a sweet, cinnamon-spiced layer inside the rolls.
5. Roll Out the Dough:
- After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches.
- Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough, leaving about 1 inch at the top of the rectangle bare. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the buttered dough, making sure to cover it thoroughly.
6. Add the Blueberries:
- Gently scatter the fresh blueberries over the cinnamon-sugar filling. If you’re using frozen blueberries, ensure they are fully thawed and drained to prevent excess moisture from making the dough soggy.
7. Form the Rolls:
- Starting at the edge of the dough, carefully roll the dough into a log shape, pinching the seams together to seal it as you go.
- Once the dough is fully rolled up, use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut it into 12 even slices. These slices will form your rolls.
8. Second Rise:
- Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure they are snugly placed next to each other. Cover the dish with a towel or plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up.
9. Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them toward the end of the baking time to avoid over-browning.
10. Make the Frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by combining the softened cream cheese and butter in a bowl. Use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
11. Frost the Rolls:
- Once the rolls are baked and slightly cooled (about 10 minutes), spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. The frosting will melt slightly into the rolls, creating a deliciously creamy finish.
Beginner Tips and Notes
- Yeast Troubles: If the yeast mixture doesn’t bubble or froth after 10 minutes, it’s likely that the yeast is expired or the milk was too hot. Always check the yeast’s expiration date and ensure the milk temperature is around 110°F—too hot or too cold can affect the yeast’s activation.
- Dough Consistency: Don’t worry if your dough feels slightly sticky when you start kneading. The key is to knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can result in dense rolls.
- Handling Blueberries: Be gentle when adding blueberries, as they can burst easily. If you use frozen blueberries, make sure to drain them thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dough soggy.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked rolls before the second rise. After cutting the rolls, place them on a baking sheet, freeze them individually, and then transfer them to a ziplock bag for future use. When you’re ready to bake, let them rise overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls: A Sweet Morning Delight
Start your day with a swirl of sweetness! 💙 These Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with juicy berries and warm cinnamon goodness. 🫐🍥 Topped with a luscious glaze, they’re the perfect morning pick-me-up or weekend brunch treat. ☀️✨ Easy to bake and even easier to devour, every bite is a cozy, fruity hug. Serve warm and watch them disappear! 💫 Fresh, flavorful, and full of love—bake your way to bliss! 👩🍳🍽️
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Ingredients
For the Dough:
-
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
-
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
-
1/4 cup granulated sugar
-
1/4 cup melted butter
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
2 large eggs
-
4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
For the Filling:
-
1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, but thawed and drained)
-
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
-
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
-
2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Frosting:
-
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
-
1/4 cup butter, softened
-
1 cup powdered sugar
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of warm milk with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and stir gently. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly. This step ensures that the yeast is activated and ready to help the dough rise. If the mixture doesn’t froth, your yeast may be expired, so be sure to check the date before use.
2. Make the Dough:
-
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs into the bowl. Mix everything together.
-
Gradually add the 4 cups of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, stirring until a soft dough begins to form. Use your hands to knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but avoid adding too much, as you want the dough to remain soft and slightly tacky.
3. First Rise:
-
Place the dough in a large, greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. The dough should feel soft and light to the touch after rising.
4. Prepare the Filling:
-
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
-
In another bowl, melt the butter for the filling. Once the dough has risen, you’ll use this mixture to create a sweet, cinnamon-spiced layer inside the rolls.
5. Roll Out the Dough:
-
After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches.
-
Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough, leaving about 1 inch at the top of the rectangle bare. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the buttered dough, making sure to cover it thoroughly.
6. Add the Blueberries:
-
Gently scatter the fresh blueberries over the cinnamon-sugar filling. If you’re using frozen blueberries, ensure they are fully thawed and drained to prevent excess moisture from making the dough soggy.
7. Form the Rolls:
-
Starting at the edge of the dough, carefully roll the dough into a log shape, pinching the seams together to seal it as you go.
-
Once the dough is fully rolled up, use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut it into 12 even slices. These slices will form your rolls.
8. Second Rise:
-
Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure they are snugly placed next to each other. Cover the dish with a towel or plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up.
9. Bake the Rolls:
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them toward the end of the baking time to avoid over-browning.
10. Make the Frosting:
-
While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by combining the softened cream cheese and butter in a bowl. Use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
-
Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
11. Frost the Rolls:
-
Once the rolls are baked and slightly cooled (about 10 minutes), spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. The frosting will melt slightly into the rolls, creating a deliciously creamy finish.
Notes
- Yeast Troubles: If the yeast mixture doesn’t bubble or froth after 10 minutes, it’s likely that the yeast is expired or the milk was too hot. Always check the yeast’s expiration date and ensure the milk temperature is around 110°F—too hot or too cold can affect the yeast’s activation.
- Dough Consistency: Don’t worry if your dough feels slightly sticky when you start kneading. The key is to knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can result in dense rolls.
- Handling Blueberries: Be gentle when adding blueberries, as they can burst easily. If you use frozen blueberries, make sure to drain them thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dough soggy.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked rolls before the second rise. After cutting the rolls, place them on a baking sheet, freeze them individually, and then transfer them to a ziplock bag for future use. When you’re ready to bake, let them rise overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serving Suggestions
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls are a perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Here are a few serving ideas:
- With Fresh Fruit: Serve these rolls with a side of fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or a citrus salad for a refreshing contrast.
- Pair with Coffee or Tea: These rolls are wonderfully complemented by a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them perfect for a leisurely breakfast or afternoon snack.
- Ice Cream: For an indulgent dessert, serve a warm roll with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, fresh taste.
Engagement Features
- Share Your Creations: Have you made these Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls at home? We’d love to see how they turned out! Share your photos and tag us on social media, or leave a comment below to let us know how you enjoyed them.
- Recipe Variations: Feel free to experiment with other fruits in place of blueberries. Strawberries, raspberries, or even peaches would work wonderfully in this recipe. Let us know if you try a new variation!
- Leave a Review: If you loved this recipe, consider leaving a review or sharing your tips for baking these rolls. Your feedback helps others discover this delicious recipe.