Easy Cinnamon Rolls

We've finally started to have some cool fall weather over here. And I was craving something warm and sweet, that would make my house smell delicious so I decided to make cinnamon rolls for the first time, and they came out great!

Cinnamon roll ingredients

1 Cup milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter

3 1/2 cups flour

1/4 sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Cinnamon sugar filling ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Icing ingredients

1/4 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Combine milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute, then remove and stir. Continue heating in 20 second intervals, pausing after each to stir, until the butter is melted and the milk is warm to the touch but not HOT. 

Add 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt to a bowl. Stir by hand to combine. Add the egg and milk mixture, continue to stir until combined. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until incorporated.  Knead by hand until the dough begins to form a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, you have added enough flour. Continue kneading for 5-7 minutes, over the dough with a damp towel and let rest for 20 minutes.

While dough is rising, make your filling by whisking together sugars and cinnamon in a bowl until combined.

When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured work surface. Then use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 14 x 9 inches in size.  Spread the softened cup of butter generously on the dough. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Beginning at the 14-inch edge, tightly roll up the dough. And then give the final seam a little pinch so that it seals. Use a knife to cut the rolls, About an inch between each roll, you should get 11-12 to fit into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.

Then cover dish with a damp towel, and leave the dish in a warm place to rise for 25 minutes. I turn on my oven to 200 degrees, then turn it off and place the dish in the oven with the door cracked open. 

While the dough is rising, make the icing

Whisk together butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until combined. I used a hand mixer. If the icing is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk to thin. If the icing is too thin, add a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar to thicken.

When the rolls have risen, uncover the dish. Then place on the center rack of the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden and cooked through. Drizzle with icing while still warm then serve!