Cinnamon Bun Gloriousness
The best homemade cinnamon buns you will ever try in your life. The best part is these are ready in an hour and fun to make! You get to roll your own dough and impress all your friends! Best enjoyed warm out of the over with lots of icing! YUM
You ideally need a 9×13 baking dish
Makes around 12-15 rolls
Ingredients
Dough
2¾ c. all-purpose flour
¼ c. sugar
2 tbsp. butter
1 egg
1 package instant (quick rise) yeast (or 2¼ tsp.)
½ c. water
¼ c. whole milk
1 tsp. salt
Filling
1.5 cups. brown sugar
1/2 cups of butter, room temperature
2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup of raisins (soaked first in boiling water)
Icing
1½ cups. powdered sugar
¼ cups. (½ stick) butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp. milk
Directions
In a large bowl mix the flour, yeast and salt.
In a small microwave safe bowl (or glass measuring cup), combine the sugar, butter, water and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted (about 1 minute). Gradually add the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and mix until soft and doughy.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and set on the lowest mixing setting for 4 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it measures a 16x9 inch rectangle. Prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl except for the butter. Spread the butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the filling. Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions. I like to use dental floss for this... I also cut it in half, then fourths etc. That way my pieces are all uniform in size (you may have a few smaller pieces from the ends, just arrange them around the larger rolls).
Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil over top. Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees. Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes or until the centers are lightly golden brown in color.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before frosting. While rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beating by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over the tops of the rolls.