Not your mom's CINNAMON ROLLS!

That's right, that is what I said.  These are NOT my mom's cinnamon rolls!  Her rolls were always a treat on holidays or for big events.  I learned one thing from my mom and that is, everything doesn't have to be SO MUCH WORK to be amazing.  It seems like it took my mom 2 days to make cinnamon rolls, and I grew up thinking they were this intense labor of love when in reality, these are ready beginning to end in maybe 3 hours.  Ok, maybe 4 with rise time.  Regardless, they are so easy. These cinnamon rolls are so light, so moist and just amazing.  And for the record kids, it is a new day, and these rolls o' mine are incredible, better than hers!  Make them, you can be the judge!

Now, as far as cinnamon rolls go, I like them plain.  I mean, no extemporaneous crap, raisins, nuts, etc.  I want them dead fly free *raisins*, I want everything in my life raisin free in fact.  So those things are all optional and I won't write them into the recipe because we discussed it here.  Also, it is possible that I used more brown sugar than what is called for, for the filling.  Sue me.  You know you will too. 

OH, one more thing about these lovelies.  They freeze SO well.  After the dough rises and you get the rolls cut and put in the pan, this is where you seal them up tightly with foil and put in the freezer.  When you want to bake them, you take them out of the freezer the night before, and set them on your stove top to thaw and raise, they will be ready for morning baking!  Just an FYI. 

Ok, let me give you the icing recipe first, you can get it made and get it done with.....
(Btw, I am writing this in the order it goes.  I hate having to scroll up and then down and then up and then down for measurements and directions so you will need to scroll down and under each green heading are ingredients you will need!)

Cinnamon Roll Frosting
4 ozs softened cream cheese
4 tbsp softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar/icing sugar/confectioners sugar
1 tbsp milk/cream/half and half/flavored coffee creamer

Combine all ingredients and set aside!

 Cinnamon Rolls
1 pkg dry active yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup water at 110-115 degrees
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
5 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4-4 1/2 cups flour

In a measuring cup place hot water and 1 tsp sugar.  Put a thermometer in it and if it is to hot, wait for it to cool to 110-115 degrees.  I know some people say they always kill the yeast so better to have it to hot and have to wait for it to cool a bit.  I do it like this and just wait for it to get to the temp I want!

When it gets to the correct temperature add in your packet of yeast, give it a tiny stir and remove thermometer.  Let sit 3-4 minutes.  It should get foamy on the top!

Now in a bowl or stand mixer  (using your dough hook) add in the egg, milk, melted butter, sugar and salt.  Mix until combined.  Now add in the yeast mixture, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla.  I mig ht have slipped and added extra vanilla too!  I always do, you know that! HA!

Now once you get it all combined, by hand or machine, either knead it for 3-4 minutes until smooth, or let it go in the stand mixer the same amount of time, or until smooth. 

Turn the dough out into a buttered, or sprayed with non stick cooking spray, or oiled bowl.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and sit in a warm, draft free place.  Sometimes I turn the oven on to preheat for baking and set the bowl on the stove top.  This could take an hour, or it could take 3 hours.  The warmer the area, the faster it will happen.  It should about double in size!

When it is doubled in size, take it out of the bowl unto a floured surface.  Roll the dough out into a rectangle shape.  It should be about...hmmm.....14-16 by about 10-12.  Never thought about it, just always did it!  What comes next is the filling and here is what you will need for that....

Filling

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup VERY soft butter (can melt and use a pastry brush as well)

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Spread the butter over the dough, make sure to get it covered everywhere!  Sprinkle brown sugar evenly and then the cinnamon. 

Get your oven preheated to 350 degrees.

Now, why didn't I take a photo of this part?  Grr.  Starting at the bottom start rolling the dough, go from the bottom and work your way across so it is eventually all rolled up.  When you get to the end, pinch the seam together.  Now you could get up to about 14-16 out of this, but I get 12.  I like tall, substantial rolls.  So using a serrated knife, gently cut it in half and then go from there.  However many you want out of the roll, make it happen!  If you cut them thinner and get 14-16, make usre to take 5 minutes or so off of your bake time!

When they are cut, put them into a generously buttered 9x13 pan.  I fit 12 perfectly.  Get them situated and then cover them with a clean dish towel and let raise again, for approx 1 hr.  If you have your oven on, and use my trick, it won't take that long. 

Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove them from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.  I turn mine out unto a large cookie sheet because I find them easier to cut and serve that way.  You have to flip flop a couple of times to get them right side up on the cookie sheet but I trust your problem solving skills will take you far in this one!  I then frost them with half of the frosting.  I wait until they are nearly completely cooled to put the rest of the frosting on.  Some of it melts into the roll and you still have plenty on top!

 

If you you are making these for a holiday, I find it pleasant to sprinkle them with sprinkles in the appropriate colors for your holiday.  I didn't do it here so that you could just see the roll.

Whoa.........was THAT fun or what?!?!

Now get some coffee on, and let's sit down and discuss how awesome these are.  If you wait to long you might have to give it 20 seconds in the microwave to warm it up because that is always how they taste best in my opinion!

Enjoy this sweet treat!!

Your "loves all things cinnamon"chefwannabe



Adapted from: Laura In The Kitchen