Cinnamon Rolls (Buns)

Cinnamon Rolls (Buns)
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From Joy of Baking

Dough:
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 Package active dry yeast
1 Cup milk
1/3 Cup butter
1/3 Cup sugar
1/2 Teaspoon salt
3 eggs

Filling:
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup light raisins (optional)
1 Tablespoon half-and-half

Or
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon


Powdered Sugar Glaze:

In a bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and enough half-and-half (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make the glaze thin enough to drizzle over cinnamon rolls.

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour and the yeast. In a small saucepan heat the milk, the 1/3 cup butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt just till warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees)and butter is almost melted, stirring constantly. Add to flour mixture. Add eggs.
Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups flour as you can.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 - 1 1/2 hours).

For filling, combine brown sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon. Cut in remaining butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.

Or
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll the dough into a 12 inch square. Sprinkle filling over dough square; top with raisins (if desired). Roll up jelly-roll style; pinch edges to seal.

Slice roll into eight 1 1/2 inch pieces. Arrange dough pieces, cut side up, in a greased 12 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. (or place rolls on a parchment lined baking sheet , one inch apart.) Cover dough loosely with clear plastic wrap, leaving room for rolls to rise.

Refrigerate dough for 2 to 24 hours. Uncover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

(If you are making the cinnamon rolls immediately, don’t chill dough. Instead, cover loosely, let dough rise in a warm place till nearly double, about 45 minutes.)

Break any surface bubbles with a greased toothpick. Brush dough with a half-and-half. Bake in a 375 degree oven to 25 to 30 minutes or till light brown.

If necessary to prevent over-browning., cover rolls loosely with foil the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Remove rolls from oven. Brush again with half-and-half. Cool 5 minutes. Invert onto a baking rack and invert again onto a plate. Can drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze. Serve
warm. Makes 8 rolls.

Note: I prefer a Cream Cheese icing.

1/4 cup butter
1 cup cream cheese
Powdered Sugar

Cream together and add enough icing/powder sugar to make a creamy icing.