How to Make my Wife's Epic Cinnamon Rolls

My wife is a great baker. Really great. She and our daughter are always whipping up incredible cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. One of my favorite things she makes are cinnamon rolls. I decided I wanted to make a post about how to make them. They are well known around here and the kids like to go through the neighborhood selling them to earn some spending money. They usually come home with an empty tray and a pocket full of cash. 

One of the cool things about making homemade cinnamon rolls--besides how incredible they taste-- is the ingredients are usually simple everyday items you probably have on hand in your pantry. Here's the recipe:

3 1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 tsp salt

1 pkg active dry yeast or 2 1/2 tsp

1/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

3/4 milk, scalded

1/4 cup hot water

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 TB cinnamon

glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 TB milk

pinch salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Scald the milk briefly, add 1/2 stick butter to melt in it and set aside. 

In large mixing bowl, sift 3 1/4 cups flour. Add 3/4 tsp salt, 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast, 1/4 cup white sugar. Make a well in the center for the egg and liquids. 

Add the warm milk/melted butter mixture and the 1/4 cup hot water. Stir to combine. 

You can use a stand mixer or do it by hand. 

Turn dough out onto floured counter and knead for about 5 minutes until dough is glossy and soft. If the dough feels too wet, add a little more flour. When the dough has been kneaded enough, it should feel as soft as a horse's nose. Let it rest a few minutes before rolling out. 

The dough should roll out pretty easily..Aim for a rectangle about 9"x12". 

Brush with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter. She usually melts hers but you can spread softened butter if you prefer. 

Cover with the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture and spread out evenly on the dough. 

Roll it up!

Slice into 12 rolls. She finds a sharp, serrated knife works best. 

She likes to place them in large muffin cups because the rolls look pretty baked in them, but a pan works fine too.

Let them rise until about doubled in size. Approx 30-40 minutes. Then bake at 350 degrees for about 17 minutes.

For the glaze, sift 1 cup powdered sugar in a bowl. Add 2 TB milk (you may need to add a little more to get the consistency you want), a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and drizzle over the cooled rolls. 

Now pour yourself a perfect cup of coffee and enjoy your wonderful creation!!