Oh So Yummy Cinnamon Rolls

With Valentine's Day approaching and hearing about Whitney Houston's death, it was a weekend of comfort foods.  I went through several cookbooks, many recipe apps on my iPad, and Pinterest.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to make, but I knew it had to be delicious.  It didn't take long for me to stumble upon Sweetapolita's Cinnabon-Style Gourmet Cinnamon Buns.  


Now, if you are like me, I have to run past the Cinnabon store at the mall.  I feel like I gain 10 pounds just looking at them. I often can't resist and end up sharing one with my husband.  The gooey center and soft dough with a tall glass of milk is PERFECTION!  However, I do find that the Cinnabon is extremely sweet and sometimes I get a toothache from eating one.  What is a girl to do?  Either deal with it or find a homemade alternative.  The homemade solution seemed like the best option for two reasons.  First, it would cost a lot less to make a batch.  Second, I could make them anytime!   


I must admit that I read Sweetapolita's recipe and thought it was a long process.  In the end, it would have taken several hours to complete.  That doesn't seem practical for a quick treat.  So, I decided to experiment and see where I could take a shortcut and make these delicious rolls in less time.  Here is what I came up with and according to my husband, "WOAH!"


Like some of my previous posts, Sweetapolita's recipe is in blue and my modifications are in black.

Yield: 12 large buns

 

Ingredients:

Dough

1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast

1 cup warm whole milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup margarine (or 80% margarine 20% butter spread)

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup bread flour (I did not have bread flour.  I used self-rising flour instead.)

Filling

1 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/3 cup margarine (or 80% margarine 20% butter spread)

Method:

For the rolls, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl.

Add sugar, margarine salt, eggs, and flour, mix well.

Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour.

Put in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. (I was an impatient baker...after 1 hour my dough had not doubled...I moved forward with the recipe out of starvation.)

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, until it is approx 21 inches long by 16 inches wide.

It should be approx 1/4 thick.

To make filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

Spread the softened margarine over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the surface, leaving about 1" untouched around edges.

Gently roll into a fairly tight roll, trying to keep the filling inside.

With a sharp knife, slice into 12 pieces.

Place on parchment lined cookie sheet about 2" apart, cover with lint-free cloth, and let rise for another hour. (Again, I was extremely hungry.  I DID NOT let the dough rise for an hour...went straight to the oven.)

Bake in 400 degree on rack just above centre, for about 10 minutes, or until light golden brown.

Note: I came across an 80% margarine 20% butter spreat at my local grocer, which is what I used for the dough, filling, and frosting. If you can't find such a thing, go with the recommended margarine, as opposed to butter.

Sweetapolita uses the Gordon Family icing recipe.  It is as follows:

Icing:

4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup margarine

1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla flavor

1/8 tsp lemon flavor (I DO NOT LIKE LEMON FLAVOR...so I skipped this ingredient.)

Method: (As a time saver, I did not follow the directions as stated.  Instead of 30 minutes...my frosting took 5 minutes.)

• Combine cream cheese and margarine.  Beat until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar.  Beat until smooth.
• Add vanilla.  Beat for another 30 seconds.
• Taste to goodness!