Are you ready to elevate your breakfast or brunch game? Forget those sad, small cinnamon rolls! We're talking about massive, incredibly fluffy, and generously frosted cinnamon rolls, perfectly sized for your 6-ounce muffin pan. The secret to this amazing recipe? Your trusty bread machine for effortless dough prep!

This recipe is designed to yield six truly substantial cinnamon rolls, each one a delightful indulgence. Get ready for that warm, cinnamon-sugar aroma to fill your kitchen!

What You'll Need:

For the Dough (Bread Machine):

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (around 100-110°F or 38-43°C)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 1/2 cups (420g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

For the Filling:

• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (start with 1, add more as needed)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Let's Get Baking!

Step 1: Dough Duty (Bread Machine Style!)

1. Add the warm milk, beaten egg, and melted butter to your bread machine pan first.
2. Next, add the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
3. Make a small well in the center of the flour, then add your active dry yeast directly into the well.
4. Select the "dough" cycle on your bread machine and let it work its magic.
5. Once the dough cycle is complete, carefully remove the beautifully risen dough from the bread machine and place it onto a lightly floured surface.

Step 2: Roll & Fill for Giant Rolls

1. Lightly flour your work surface.
2. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12 inches wide by 18 inches long. The thickness should be about 5/16 of an inch.
3. Evenly spread the softened butter over the entire surface of the dough rectangle.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this delicious mixture generously over the buttered dough.
5. Now for the crucial part: Starting from one of the 12-inch (short) edges, tightly roll the dough into a snug log. This ensures your rolls will be tall!
6. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 6 equal pieces.

Step 3: Rise & Bake to Golden Perfection

1. Generously grease your 6-cup muffin pan.
2. Place one perfectly cut cinnamon roll into each muffin cup. They'll look substantial, and that's exactly what we want!
3. Cover the muffin pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until they have visibly doubled in size. They should look puffy and ready to bake.
4. While your rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown on top and the centers are cooked through.
6. Allow the baked cinnamon rolls to cool in the pan for just a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: The Best Part - Cream Cheese Glaze!

1. While the rolls cool, prepare your heavenly cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well until no lumps remain.
3. Finally, mix in 1 tablespoon of milk (or heavy cream) and the vanilla extract. Beat until the glaze is smooth and luscious. If it's too thick, add the remaining tablespoon of milk, a little at a time, until you reach your desired drizzly consistency.

Step 5: Glaze and Devour!

1. Once your magnificent cinnamon rolls have cooled enough to handle (they can still be slightly warm), generously drizzle or spread the glorious cream cheese glaze over the top of each one. Don't be shy!

Baker's Notes & Tips:

• Yeast Activation: Ensure your milk is warm (not hot!) to properly activate the yeast. Too hot will kill it, too cold won't wake it up.
• Optimal Rise: If your bread machine has a "warm" setting after the dough cycle, you can let the dough rise in the machine for a more consistent first rise.
• Customize Your Filling: Feel free to add chopped pecans, walnuts, or even plump raisins to your cinnamon-sugar filling for extra texture and flavor.
• Richer Glaze: For an even more decadent glaze, always opt for heavy cream instead of regular milk.

There you have it – a recipe for cinnamon rolls so grand, they'll make any morning feel like a special occasion. Happy baking!