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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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