Cinnamon Rolls

This cinnamon roll recipe is taken from familyfun.com, I have made a few changes, but used their recipe as a base. You can make these the night before and allow them to sit in the refrigerator overnight, then you can get them in the oven first thing in the morning! The aroma is something your family will love to wake up too!

What you will need

Dough

1/4 cup warm water

1 package dry active yeast

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup warm milk

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp salt

4 tbsp softened butter

Filling

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup walnuts or pecans(these can be omitted)

2 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsp softened butter

Sweet Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp maple flavoring(sub with almond extract, lemon or orange flavor)

Start by taking your warm water and dissolving the yeast for about 5 minutes. Next, take your warm milk and dissolve the sugar, when this is finished, add in the beaten egg and vanilla. Now, add your milk mixture to your water and yeast. Once those are blended add in two cups of flour. With a wooden spoon, stir in your flour, mixing 100 times. Once finished mixing in the flour allow to sit, covered with a wet towel, undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Now stir in the softened butter and the flour 1/2 cup at a time. When the dough becomes hard to stir, begin to mix with your hands and knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for another 6 to 7 minutes.

Now place your dough in an oiled bowl, coating all sides of the dough with the oil. Allow the dough to sit in a bowl, covered with a damp towel for one hour. This will cause the dough to rise some more. Once the hour has passed, punch the dough down and allow to sit another 15 minutes.

Next you can prepare your filling. Chop the nuts to a fine consistency, then add in your brown sugar and cinnamon.

Now you may roll out your dough into a rectangular shape. Spread your 4 tbsp of butter on the dough, leaving one inch all around the edges.

Once you have finished, sprinkle your filling over the butter and pat down with your hands. Now roll the dough in a tight roll and allow to sit, covered in a damp towel for another 15 minutes.

After the cinnamon rolls have rested, cut into slices about an inch and a half in size. Place in a buttered baking dish and bake at 350* for 20 minutes.

While baking you can prepare the glaze by putting your powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and maple in a bowl. Stir with a fork.

Allow your cinnamon rolls to cool for a few minutes then pour over your glaze.