Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe has been years in the making, until finally, one weekend, I set out on a quest to make the perfect cinnamon rolls. After another batch in the trash, I finally found success!! Plan on setting aside four hours to make these gems, but I promise, you have never had a better cinnamon roll!Plan Ahead Note: the eggs need to be brought to room temperature.
Ingredients
Rolls
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 pkg. active dry yeast
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
Filling
- ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Rolls
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup of the flour, sugar, and yeast.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter in the milk until the butter has melted but do not bring to a boil.
- Add the milk to the flour and beat at low speed of an electric mixer for two minutes.
- Add the eggs, and vanilla beating well.
- Add 1 additional cup of flour and beat for two minutes.
- Add the remaining 2 ¼ cups flour and beat an additional two minutes. Batter will become sticky against the beater.
- Put the dough onto a lightly floured pastry board and knead the dough for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the board.
- Butter a large bowl, add the dough ball, and butter the top of the dough. Place a towel over the top of the bowl and place in an oven with the light on for one hour.
- Butter a large 13" x 9" pan.
- Punch down the dough and knead it a few times. Recover with the towel and let it set on the counter for 10 minutes.
- On a lightly floured pastry board, roll the dough into a 15" x 12" rectangle.
- Brush the 3 Tablespoons of melted butter onto the dough.
Filling
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Starting on the long side of the rectangle, gently roll the dough into a cylinder.
- Using a serrated knife, cut off each end and discard. Cut the dough into 12 rolls and place in the buttered dish.
- Cover the pan with a towel and place in oven with the light on for one hour.
- Remove the pan and heat the oven to 375°. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown.
Icing
- Mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle evenly over the warm rolls. Serve immediately.
- These rolls can be frozen individually in freezer bags.