Cinnamon Rolls

I just LOVE this recipe! The frosting, especially, is soooo delicious! These bake up really big and beautiful- very impressive :) I have also made these into Orange Rolls and it turns out marvelous! The dough is the same- just a different filling & frosting (I have included the Orange filling & frosting at the end of the recipe).

Dough:

1 1/4 cup warm milk

1 TBS active dry yeast

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg, well beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

4 1/2 cups flour

Melt butter and allow to cool until warm, add the milk, yeast and sugar. Allow to rise for 10 minutes. Add the beaten egg, vanilla, salt, & flour to form a soft dough. Knead for about 5 minutes. Rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 TBS cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Roll the dough into a 18 inch square. Spread the softened butter over the dough with a rubber spatula and then evenly distribute the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Be careful to leave a 1" edge clean (to seal roll). Wet the clean edge with milk to make it sticky. Roll up and use dental floss or thread to cut into 1 1/2 inch slices (makes 12). Line your baking pan with parchment paper. Place rolls into baking pan 1/2 inch apart. Let rise in a warm place about 20 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until lightly browned.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Cream together and spread over warm rolls.

Orange Rolls- use the same dough, but use this filling instead:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1-2 TBS orange juice concentrate (to taste)

2 TBS grated orange peel (optional)

1 tsp vanilla

Mix butter, sugar, orange juice concentrate, orange peel, and vanilla. Evenly spread over dough. Roll up and slice. Bake as usual.

Orange Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 TBS orange juice concentrate (you can add more to taste if you wish)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Cream together and spread over warm rolls.