Misshapen, rustic, heavenly, Christmas Breakfast Cinnamon Rolls. These are worth the little bit of time it takes to make them. We only make these once a year at Christmas. It's just too hard to work off the extra pounds, it will be lots of veggies and clean eating beginning tomorrow! Beware these cinnamon rolls are really delicious with their light ethereal texture and cream cheese frosting. Just luscious!
Here's the recipe: (makes 2 round cake pans~ each pan serves 6-8)
The Dough Ingredients
2 packets active dry yeast (1/4 ounce each packet)
1/4 cup warm water (between 110 and 115 degrees)
1 1/2 cups warm evaporated milk
1 stick butter-or 1/2 cup, softened (you will need butter to grease the pans too)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
6 cups all purpose unbleached flour
To begin~
1. In a small bowl, place the warm water and 2 packets yeast. It will get foamy in a few minutes, meanwhile go on to the next step.
2. Put a 2 cup measuring full of water in the microwave and heat for 5 minutes. This is where your dough will rise.
3. In the work bowl of a stand mixer, add the 3 eggs, warm evaporated milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix until the ingredients are combined.
4. Add the foamy yeast scraping out all the bits that cling to the bowl.
5. Add the 6 cups flour. Mix for 3-4 minutes or until the dough is smooth.
6. Scrape the very soft dough into a pre-oiled large bowl (use canola). Cover with plastic wrap and place in the pre-warmed microwave. Note: Do not turn the microwave on with the dough in it, this is just a warm place to allow the dough to rise.
**It will take 1 1/2 hours for the dough to rise.
7. Prep for next step. Make a cinnamon filling:
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 packed tablespoons brown sugar
1 stick softened butter
5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
canola oil
1. Spread 3 tablespoons canola oil over the inside surface of a jelly roll/cookie sheet with edges.
2. Punch down the risen dough, and place 1/2 of the dough on the oiled cookie sheet.
3. Using your finger tips, press the dough over the surface of the pan, like you would pizza dough. It will relax and hold it's shape as you go. (the very edges may pull in, that's okay)
4. When the dough is pressed over the surface of the pan, then spread the surface with 2-3 tablespoons very soft butter.
5. Sprinkle the buttered dough with cinnamon sugar.
6. Beginning at the bottom corner of the dough lengthwise, gently roll the dough~go from one side across and continue moving up until you have a long roll.
7. Gently cut into 2 inch pieces with a sharp knife.
8. Place in buttered cake pans, I use high sided 9 inch cake pans.
9. Cover with plastic and begin the rising process same as before in the microwave.
In one hour, pre-heat your over to 350 degrees. Your cinnamon rolls will be ready to bake, remove the plastic and bake for 35 minutes.
Remove from oven to cool!
Cream Cheese Frosting.
6 tablespoons butter, softened room temperature butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 small 3 ounce cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk ~ you may need more or less
To begin:
Place all the above ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or mixer. Combine until creamy. Spread over the top of the warm cinnamon rolls.
Serve
