Cinnamon Buns

Who can say no to a beautiful, delicious, cinnamon buns that are drenched in cream cheese frosting?

OR this beautiful sticky cinnamon buns that are covered in extra sugar, cinnamon, and butter?

Makes About: 12-18 Rolls

Takes About: 3 hours

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Prep:

Grease a 13inch by 9inch pan or a pan that will be large enough for 12 -18 rolls that will expand and at least 2 inches deep.

Ingredients:

- Dough

1 cup milk

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 cups all purpose flour, plus 1/2 cup for dusting

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

2 eggs

- Filling

3/4 cup cane sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

(Or, instead of two sugars, 1 cup of brown or 1 cup of cane)

2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/3 cup butter - room temperature

- Icing - Option 1

4 ounce cream cheese

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

- Butter Spread - Option 2

1/2 cup unsalted butter - melted

1/3 cup cane sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

- Step 1 - Warm a Few Ingredients

In a small pan heat 1 cup of milk, 1/3 cup of unsalted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until the butter is just melted, but not hot. If it does become hot, let it cool, but do not let it get cold. Should be between 110 degrees F (about 35 degrees C).

- Step 2 - Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together 4 cups of flour and 2 1/4 teaspoons or yeast.

Add the eggs and mix.

- Step 3 - Mix the Wet Ingredients and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix quickly then start to knead until the dough comes together.

- Step 4 - Knead the Dough

Sprinkle a little bit of flour onto the counter.

Place the dough onto the counter and knead until the dough becomes smooth.

- Step 5 - Let the Dough Rise

Butter a large bowl and place the kneaded dough in the middle and cover with a towel for an hour or until it doubles in size.

- Step 6 - Roll Out Dough

Place the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a 21 inch by 18 inch rectangle.

- Step 7 - Make Filling

In a small bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of cane sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon and then set aside.

- Step 8 - Fill the Dough

Spread the 1/3 cup of room temperature butter over the dough until completely covered.

Spread the sugar and cinnamon filling over the butter until completely covered.

- Step 9 - Roll the Dough

Starting on one long end, roll the dough into a long log.

- Step 10 - Cut the Roll

Instead of working from one end of the roll to the other, cut the roll in half, then in quarters, then in eighths until each bun is about 2 inches thick.

This will make all the buns about the same size.

Tip: I don't slice the roll all the way through, I instead make slits into the roll and then after, I cut it completely through.

- Step 11 - Place Buns in Baking Dish

Using the prepared buttered dish, place the buns into the baking dish with a little room between each one.

Don't forget to add the ends, they are not as pretty as the others, but they are just as tasty.

Cover with a tea towel and let rise for an hour.

- Step 12 - Preheat and Bake

Once the buns have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the buns into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and baked.

- Step 13 - Make Icing - Option 1

In a medium bowl, mix together 4 ounces of cream cheese and 1/4 cup of unsalted butter until smooth.

Add the 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and mix until it is smooth again.

- Step 14 - Add the Icing to the Buns

Using a spatula, spread the icing over the buns until completely covered.

- Step 15 - Enjoy!

These cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing are perfect for a rainy Sunday mornings with a bad tv.

- Step 16 - Make the Butter Spread - Option 2

In a sauce pan, melt 1/2 cup butter.

Once melted, add 1/3 cup of cane sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.

Spread the butter spread over the buns until completed covered.

If the spread seems a little dry, add more butter.

- Step 17 - Enjoy!!

These buns are perfect for a fall Saturday night in with the cat reaching for the plate.

Adapted from Jo Cooks "Cinnabuns Cinnamon Rolls" recipe