Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls combine the best of two beloved desserts: the soft, fluffy cinnamon roll and the rich, creamy texture of tres leches. This delightful treat soaks in a luscious milk mixture, creating an indulgent pastry perfect for special occasions or a decadent breakfast.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute bread flour or gluten-free blend)
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (instant yeast works too; skip proofing)
• 1 cup warm milk (about body temperature)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (can swap raw sugar)
• ¼ cup butter (softened)
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup brown sugar (for filling)
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
• ¼ cup butter (melted, for filling)
• Pinch of salt (for filling)
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (optional topping)
• Ground cinnamon (for dusting)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk to body temperature and proof the yeast by stirring it in. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, softened butter, egg, and the proofed yeast mixture. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, then cover and let it rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: Roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Brush the surface with melted butter, then evenly sprinkle the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt over it.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Cut into 12 equal pieces and place them into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
5. Step 5: Allow the rolls to rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) during this time.
6. Step 6: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
7. Step 7: While the rolls bake, whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to make the tres leches soak.
8. Step 8: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, poke holes in them with a fork or skewer. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the warm rolls, allowing it to soak in deeply.
9. Step 9: Let the rolls rest for 15–20 minutes to absorb the liquid fully.
10. Step 10: Before serving, top with whipped cream, a dusting of ground cinnamon, and chopped nuts if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use instant yeast to save time by skipping the proofing step.
• Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream for a dairy-free twist.
• Try adding orange zest to the filling for a citrusy flavor boost.
• For extra richness, brush the baked rolls with melted butter just before pouring the milk soak.

Storage

Store leftover tres leches cinnamon rolls covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to enjoy warm rolls, but avoid overheating to keep them moist. They can also be eaten cold and still taste delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it after kneading. Allow it to rise slowly in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

How do I know when the rolls have absorbed enough milk?

Once you pour the milk mixture, the rolls will start to look moist and puffed up. Letting them rest for 15–20 minutes helps the liquid fully soak in without making them soggy.

Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.4 from 103 reviews

These Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic comforting flavors of cinnamon-spiced rolls with a rich tres leches milk soak. Soft and fluffy yeast dough is rolled with buttery cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, then drenched in a luscious mixture of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. Topped with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, and optional chopped nuts, these rolls offer an indulgent twist on traditional cinnamon rolls with a creamy, moist finish inspired by the beloved tres leches dessert.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute bread flour or gluten-free blend)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (instant yeast works too, skip proofing step)
• 1 cup warm milk (about body temperature)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (can swap raw sugar)
• ¼ cup butter (softened)
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter (melted)
• Pinch salt

Tres Leches Milk Soak

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Toppings (Optional)

• Whipped cream
• Ground cinnamon (for dusting)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Warm the milk to about body temperature and proof the active dry yeast by combining it with the milk and a pinch of sugar; let it sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes). If using instant yeast, you can skip this step and mix it directly with dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, softened butter, egg, and the warmed yeast mixture. Knead the dough thoroughly until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Roll and Fill the Dough: After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Brush the surface evenly with melted butter. Mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Roll the dough tightly from one long side to form a cylinder, then cut it into 12 equal slices.
3. Bake the Rolls: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and arrange the cut cinnamon roll pieces evenly with some space to rise. Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes to puff slightly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
4. Prepare the Tres Leches Milk Soak: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and pure vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Soak the Warm Rolls: Once the rolls come out of the oven and are still warm, use a fork or skewer to poke several holes across the surface of each roll. Slowly pour the tres leches milk mixture evenly over the rolls, allowing it to absorb deeply and thoroughly into the dough. Let the rolls soak for 15 to 20 minutes to achieve a moist, luscious texture.
6. Finish and Serve: Before serving, optionally top the tres leches cinnamon rolls with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a light dusting of ground cinnamon, and sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy this rich, decadent treat.

Notes

• You can substitute bread flour or a gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour if desired.
• Instant yeast can be used in place of active dry yeast, which eliminates the need for proofing the yeast in warm milk.
• For a dairy-free version of the tres leches soak, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
• Allowing the rolls to soak adequately in the milk mixture is key to achieving the characteristic moistness of tres leches desserts.
• Chilled rolls can be reheated gently before serving to maintain softness.
• Optional toppings like whipped cream and nuts add flavor contrast but can be omitted for a simpler presentation.

Keywords: Tres Leches Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, Tres Leches Dessert, Cinnamon Sugar Rolls, Mexican Desserts, Milk Soaked Rolls