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Asian inspired cinnamon rolls
Cindy

Vietnamese Cinnamon Rolls

These Vietnamese Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and swirled with cinnamon sugar, then topped with whipped cream cheese frosting made with sweetened condensed milk. An Asian-inspired twist on classic cinnamon buns.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Vietnamese

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 1 cup milk whole preferred, warm, 240 mL
  • ⅔ cup sugar 135g
  • 1½ tbsp instant yeast
  • ½ cup butter unsalted, softened, 113g
  • 2 eggs large, room temperature
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour 563g
Filling
  • 6 tbsp butter unsalted, softened, 85 g
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed, 100 g
  • 1½ tbsp Vietnamese cinnamon
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting with Condensed Milk
  • 1 block cream cheese softened, 8 oz, 250 g
  • 2 tbsp butter unsalted, softened
  • ¼ cup condensed milk sweetened, 60 mL
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • pinch salt
  • ½ cup whipping cream cold, 120 mL

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Rolling Pin
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

  1. Bloom the Yeast: Mix sugar and yeast together. Then, pour warm milk and let proof for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the Dough: Mix in butter, eggs salt and flour. Mix 6 minutes on low to medium speed with a dough hook of your stand mixer or 10 minutes by hand. Knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and let the dough rise until doubled in size, 60 minutes.
  3. Fill and roll: Transfer to a greased counter and roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle with 1/2 inch thickness. Spread softened butter over dough leaving a 3/4 inch strip on one side. Mix brown sugar and Vietnamese cinnamon and sprinkle cinnamon sugar filling over. Then, roll tightly into a log and pinch the seam together to seal.
  4. Slice and Second Rise: Cut into 12 rolls, about 1 inch each, and place in a parchment lined baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.
  5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375F and uncover the rolls. Bake until lightly golden and soft in the center, about 15 minutes. Oven times may vary. Meanwhile, make the frosting.
  6. Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in condensed milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Whip cold heavy cream to soft peaks, about 3 minutes. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls so it slightly melts into the swirls. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother dough.
  • Don’t overbake; the rolls should be just set and pale golden.
  • Frost while warm for a melt-in finish, or cool slightly for a thicker layer.
  • For extra softness, brush the rolls with 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter right after baking.
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