Cinnamon Buns

First time making cinnamon buns from scratch. It was pretty easy, it was fun cutting them with dental floss! These are not overly sweet which is what I love about them, they are fluffy and gooey and a perfect treat! Added bonus: the house smelled amazing.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 – 5 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/3 cup Granulated Sugar

2 packets Yeast

1 tsp Salt

1 1/2 cups Water

6 tbsp Unsalted Butter

1 large Egg

Filling:

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temp

1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed

1 tbsp Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing:

4 oz Cream Cheese, room temp

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temp

1 cup Powdered Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

2. In a heat-safe bowl, combine the water and butter (cut into tablespoons). Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, pour into the dry ingredients, add an egg and mix with a wooden spoon.

3. Add in 2 more cups of flour and mix. It should turn pretty thick and sticky. Add in 1/2 cup of flour and mix again. It will turn shaggy and become difficult to stir. Once that happens, use your hands to mix and knead the dough. It will be sticky, so add another 1/4 cup of flour and continue to mix and knead by hand. It should turn into a smooth mass that’s soft and tacky but not sticking to your hands, shape it into a ball and let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes.

4. The dough should have puffed up a bit by now, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 10×15 inch rectangle using a rolling pin.

5. Spread the butter into a thin layer, leaving about 1/2 inch border all around the outside of the dough. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and top it with the cinnamon.

6. Using the long end of the dough, roll it up into a log. Use unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls. Slide it under the roll and cross them, pull them through to create a cut. Cut off the two ends of the log and toss them, then cut the remainder into 12 pieces.

7. Place the rolls in a buttered or greased 9x13 or 2 9 inch pans. Place in a warm spot and cover with a towel to rise for 1 hour.

8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are a light golden brown.

9. For the icing, place the cream cheese and butter in a bowl and mix the two together. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix, until smooth. Spread onto the warm rolls and enjoy!