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Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 66 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 cinnamon rolls 1x

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

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

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Find it online: https://aromaofgrandma.com/tres-leches-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/