Cinnamon Rolls
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe is adapted from several that I've tried over the years. Sometimes I glaze them with a simple powdered sugar glaze, but if I'm really lazy I just use a canned frosting. These are best eaten the same day, but in the unlikely chance that you have some leftover, just nuke them for a few seconds in the microwave.
Ingredients You'll Need
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature, slightly beaten
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups flour (I use bread flour, but you can use all purpose)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup pecans (optional)
Directions
Heat the milk, 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Let cool until temperature is about 110 degrees F (like bathwater warm).
In a large mixing bowl, combine milk mixture with yeast, egg, and 2 cups of the flour and the salt; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. (Alternately, just use the dough hook on your mixer and let the mixer knead the dough for about five minutes)
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean damp towel. Allow dough to rise until double, about 1 hour. In the mean time, in a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Roll out the dough into a 12X9 inch rectangle (I like to do this on my Silpat). Spread the dough with the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with pecans if desired. Roll up the dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal sized pieces and place into a greased 9X13 inch pan. Cover and let rise until doubled.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and frost while warm.