Cinnamon Rolls

Source: Tastes of Lizzy T

Click here to read about my experience making this recipe for my state meal challenge!

Servings: 12

Total time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 ½ tsp instant dry yeast
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ⅓ cup salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 ½ cups bread flour, divided

Filling:

• ½ cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp cinnamon
• ½ cup heavy cream

Frosting:

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup salted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ½ Tbsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk, and let it sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Add the eggs, butter, and sugar and mix with a beater blade until combined.
• Add the salt and 4 cups of flour, and mix until just combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Replace the beater blade with a dough hook and beat the dough on medium speed for about 5 minutes, adding remaining ½ cup flour if needed to form a dough. The dough should be elastic, smooth, and pull away from the sides of the bowl, but it’s alright if it sticks slightly to the bottom.
• Place the dough in a large, greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the ½ cup softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. 
• Flour a working surface and roll out the dough with a floured rolling pin to about a 24×15” rectangle.
• Spread the cinnamon filling over the dough with a rubber spatula.
• Starting on the long side, tightly roll up the dough to form a log.
• Use floss or a very sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal slices.
• Grease a 9×13 baking pan and arrange the cinnamon rolls inside. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes while the oven heats.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Warm the heavy cream just enough so that it’s not cold. When the rolls have risen, pour the heavy cream over top so that it soaks in and around them.
• Bake for 25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through in the middle.
• While the rolls are cooling, use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese and butter for the frosting. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth. 
• Frost the tops of the cinnamon rolls, then enjoy!