Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls are a fun twist on a classic treat! These soft rolls are filled with sweet cinnamon goodness and packed with protein from the cottage cheese.
Baking these rolls makes your kitchen smell amazing! I love enjoying them warm with a drizzle of icing on top—it’s like a warm hug in pastry form. Yum! 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cottage Cheese: This is the star of the recipe, adding moisture and protein. If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you could use Greek yogurt or ricotta instead for a similar texture.
Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results. If you have instant yeast, you can use it directly without activating in warm milk first.
All-Purpose Flour: This gives structure to the rolls. If you want a healthier option, you can substitute half with whole wheat flour, but the rolls might be denser.
Brown Sugar: It adds moisture and flavor to the filling. You can substitute it with white sugar mixed with a little molasses for a similar taste.
Why is Proper Dough Kneading Essential?
Kneading develops gluten in the dough, which is important for a light and fluffy texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- After mixing your ingredients, turn the dough onto a floured surface.
- Knead it for about 8-10 minutes, pushing it with your palms, folding, and turning it until it’s smooth.
- Don’t rush this step! Proper kneading ensures your rolls rise well and have a nice texture.
Remember to periodically dust your work surface with flour to keep the dough from sticking, but avoid adding too much flour as it can make the rolls tough.
How Do You Ensure Perfectly Rolled Cinnamon Rolls?
Rolling the dough properly is key to getting nice, even rolls. Here’s a step-by-step process:
- After the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle about 12×15 inches.
- Use a rolling pin starting from the center and move outward, keeping even pressure.
- When adding the filling, spread the melted butter evenly and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture across the dough for uniform flavor.
- When rolling up the dough, start from one long edge and keep it tight but not too tight to avoid squeezing out the filling.
Cut the rolled dough into equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean edges. This will help your rolls bake evenly!
Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, approximately
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for dough)
For the Filling:
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time, 2 hours for the dough to rise (including two rising periods), and 25-30 minutes of baking time. So in total, you’re looking at about 2.5 to 3 hours, but most of it is hands-off while the dough rises and bakes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough Base:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets frothy—that means it’s active and ready to go. In a large bowl (or stand mixer), mix together the cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, and salt until everything is nicely combined.
2. Combine and Knead:
Pour the activated yeast mixture into the cottage cheese mixture and stir until combined. Gradually add the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once it’s coming together, knead in the softened butter. Now, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but keep it soft!
3. Let the Dough 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 for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is the fun part where the dough becomes fluffy!
4. Prepare the Filling:
While waiting, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. This will be the sweet layer inside your rolls!
5. Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle roughly 12 by 15 inches. Brush the melted butter evenly over the entire surface, making it nice and shiny!
6. Sprinkle the Filling:
Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the melted butter. Make sure to cover it well for the best flavor.
7. Roll and Cut:
Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Once rolled, cut it into 8 equal pieces. Place each roll cut side down into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
8. Final Rise:
Cover the rolls again and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they are puffy—this will help them get that nice, soft texture.
9. Bake the Rolls:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes until they are golden brown on top.
10. Prepare the Glaze and Serve:
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze. Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls for an extra sweet touch.
Serve the cinnamon rolls warm and enjoy the delicious softness and flavor that the cottage cheese adds! They’re perfect for breakfast or as a lovely dessert treat.
Can I Use Low-Fat Cottage Cheese Instead?
Yes, you can use low-fat cottage cheese! It will still work well in the recipe, but the rolls might be a tad less rich. Just ensure it’s a small curd variety for the best texture.
What If I Don’t Have Active Dry Yeast?
If you have instant yeast on hand, you can use that instead! There’s no need to activate it in warm milk—just add it directly to the dry ingredients when mixing your dough.
Can I Make These Rolls Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the rolls, place them in the baking dish, and refrigerate them overnight before baking. Just allow them to come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking the next day.
How Should I Store Leftover Cinnamon Rolls?
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for about a week, but they may lose some freshness. Just warm them up in the microwave or oven before serving!