Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic warmth of cinnamon rolls with the rich, creamy sweetness of tres leches. Soft, tender, and soaked in a luscious milk mixture, they make an irresistible treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 3 cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour (spooned and leveled)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature) for filling
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup whole milk (for tres leches mixture)
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• ⅔ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature) for icing
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (for icing)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon (for dusting)
• Fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, granulated sugar, and salt until well mixed. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small heat-proof bowl, warm the whole milk and 4 tablespoons butter until the milk is warm to the touch (105°F-110°F) and the butter has melted. Whisk in the yeast until fully dissolved.
3. Step 3: Pour the milk mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, add the egg, and mix with a paddle attachment on low speed until just combined. Reserve the heavy cream for later.
4. Step 4: Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and rest for 15 minutes while preparing the filling.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix together the 4 tablespoons softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork until it forms a soft paste.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll tightly into a 14-inch log and cut into 10-12 pieces about 1½ inches each.
8. Step 8: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
9. Step 9: While rising, whisk together the whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk for the tres leches mixture. Refrigerate until ready.
10. Step 10: Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour the reserved heavy cream into the bottom of the baking dish under the rolls. Bake for 24-26 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cover with foil if browning too quickly. Cool for 15 minutes.
11. Step 11: Poke holes all over the rolls with a toothpick or skewer. Slowly pour the tres leches mixture over them and let soak for about 10 minutes until absorbed.
12. Step 12: Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
13. Step 13: Spread the icing over the soaked cinnamon rolls. Dust with ground cinnamon, garnish with fresh strawberries if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon filling.
• If you don’t have bread flour, all-purpose flour can be used but the texture may be slightly different.
• Refrigerate the rolls overnight after icing for a cake-like texture before serving cold or reheating gently.
• Swap fresh strawberries for raspberries or blueberries according to your preference.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but also freeze well for up to 1 month—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic. It may take a bit more effort but works just as well.

Why do I pour heavy cream into the baking dish before baking?

The heavy cream at the bottom keeps the rolls moist during baking and starts the tres leches soaking process even before they come out of the oven, contributing to their tender texture.

Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 66 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 cinnamon rolls 1x

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Description

These Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic soft, fluffy cinnamon roll with a rich tres leches soak, creating a decadently moist and flavorful dessert. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and topped with a creamy cream cheese icing, these rolls are ideal for a special breakfast or dessert treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 3 cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 large egg (room temperature)

Filling

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (reserved for baking)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Tres Leches Mixture

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Icing

• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For garnish

• Ground cinnamon
• Fresh strawberries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, granulated sugar, and salt until well mixed. Set aside.
2. Activate the yeast: In a small heat-proof bowl, warm the milk and butter until the milk reaches about 105°F-110°F and the butter melts. Whisk in the instant yeast until fully dissolved.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients along with the egg. Mix with a paddle attachment on low speed just until combined. Reserve the heavy cream for baking later.
4. Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add bread flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
5. First rest: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rest for 15 minutes while preparing the filling.
6. Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, dark brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork until it forms a soft paste.
7. Roll and fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll the rested dough into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Roll tightly into a 14-inch log.
8. Cut rolls and rise: Cut the log into 10-12 pieces (about 1 ½ inches each). Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
9. Prepare tres leches mixture: Whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
10. Bake the rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour the reserved heavy cream into the bottom of the baking dish beneath the rolls. Bake for 24-26 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cover with foil if browning too fast. Let cool for 15 minutes after baking.
11. Soak the rolls: Poke holes all over the cinnamon rolls using a toothpick or skewer. Slowly pour the tres leches mixture over the rolls, allowing it to soak fully for about 10 minutes.
12. Make the icing: Using a mixer, whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
13. Serve: Spread the icing over the soaked cinnamon rolls. Dust with ground cinnamon and optionally garnish with fresh strawberries. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Make sure milk is warm, not hot, when activating yeast to avoid killing it.
• Use bread flour for better gluten development, resulting in chewier rolls.
• Adjust the number of rolls cut to fit your preferred size; baking time may need slight adjustment.
• Cover rolls with foil if oven heat browns them too quickly to prevent burning.
• Allow rolls to soak fully in tres leches mixture for maximum flavor and moisture.
• Fresh strawberries add a nice fresh contrast but are optional.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 26 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: tres leches cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, tres leches dessert, Mexican cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing