Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Sweeten Your Mornings...

I've tried quite a few cinnamon bun recipes and I have finally found a keeper!! This recipe is by the Food Nanny and is literal perfection!

Ingredients:

DOUGH:

1/4 cup warm 105-115 degrees water

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 cup warm milk

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

5 to 5 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

2 eggs

FILLING:

6 tablespoons softened butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

1. Measure the water into a glass measuring cup and add the yeast. Stir to dissolve and let it stand 5 minutes.
2. Heat the milk in the microwave and pour it into a large mixer bowl. Add the oil, sugar, and salt. Mix in 1 cup of the flour. Add the eggs and beat again. Stir in the yeast mixture. Adding 1 cup at a time, stir in 4 more cups of flour, Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest while you wash the mixing bowl.

Lightly grease the mixing bowl and put the dough in the bowl, turning once. Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the bowl. Let rise in a warm place until the dough is doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Grease a 12x18 inch sheet pan and set aside.

Punch down the dough. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 20x14 inches or larger

 

Spread generously with the butter. Mix the granulated sugar and brown sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle the mixture over the dough. If desired, sprinkle the dough with chopped walnuts, raisins, or dates.

Starting on one long side, roll up the dough into a tightly rolled log. 

Mark the center of the roll with a knife mark and then make nine evenly spaced marks on each side of center, marking off a total of 20 rolls. Slice with a strand of heavy-duty thread or dental floss: Place the thread under the dough, crisscross it over the dough, and pull quickly to make a clean cut for each roll. Place the rolls in the prepared baking pans.

Cover the filled pans with dish towels and let rise again until nearly double, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. When the rolls have risen, bake 10-15 minutes, until just lightly browned.

MAKE AHEAD STEP: At this point, I covered the rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerated for the night. In the morning, I took them out about an hour before baking and they turned out perfect!!

Bake for 10-15 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Check frequently to prevent over cooking! 

While the buns are baking, combine all of the ingredients for the icing and beat with your mixer. Make sure that the cream cheese and butter are softened before doing so.

Serve warm and ENJOY!! Violet sure did :)

To view the recipe by the Food Nanny, you can access it here!

XO, Alyssa