Sin-sational Sin-a-mon Rolls

Sorry the picture is not a roll that's been cut in half or separated from the pan, as these were a gift, so I had to keep them in the pan. 

I don't know what's more comforting then waking up to the smell of cinnamon rolls.  If you have been reading my posts, you know that a foodie friend of mine gave me an amazing jar of Vietnamese cinnamon and I've been looking for ways to use it constantly.  The gift that keeps on giving, little does he know how amazing that little gift was!  Over the years I've been working on a cinnamon roll recipe to end all recipes and finally have come up with it.  It's really not a lot of work at all and totally worth the efforts.  Great to serve if your family is visiting from out of town or for just a Sunday morning breakfast treat with your favorite coffee.  I urge you to try this easy recipe.  Sweet breads are so great to work with and the things you can do with them are limitless.  The flavors blend to together so well in these cinnamon rolls and I would compare these to Cinnabons if you have ever tried them.  =) Please enjoy!!  Makes 10 really nice sized Cinnamon rolls. Don't expect leftovers! 


What you need for the sweet dough:
~1 Cup + 1 Tbsp warmed milk
~1 Tsp Vanilla
~1 Package yeast (7 grams)


Let's get to work with these ingredients:
1) Add all to a bowl and whisk and leave alone for 10 minutes to let yeast activate.  Yeast should rise to the top a bit and you will see it through the milk.


What you need for next step:
~1/2 Cup of butter melted to a paste, not to a liquid.  To do this, stir every 15 seconds in the micro until it's pasty.
~4 Cups + 2 Tbsp flour
~2 eggs AND 1 egg yolk
~1/2 Cup sugar


Let's get to work with this step:
1)Add all to a bowl except the 2 tbsp flour and mix together with a wooden spoon until all blended.  Place dough on a lightly floured wooden board and start to knead adding the extra 2 tbsp of flour as needed until the dough is tacky, but pliable and stretchy.
2)Place in an oiled bowl turning to oil all sides and cover and let rest for about 2 hours OR until doubled in bulk.  Could be less then 2 hours.  Just keep watching it.


In the meantime....
What you need for the cinnamon sugar:
~1/2 Cup butter softened
~1 1/2 Tbsp Cinnamon
~1 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar (dark is best, but lighter will work)
~1 Tbsp flour
~1 Tbsp Sugar
~1/4 tsp salt


Let's get to work:
Except for the butter, place all in a bowl and mix with a fork until blended well. Set aside


NEXT STEP:
1) Degas dough ( which means to punch down) and turn onto a floured board and roll out to about a 12x17 rectangle
2)Spread softened butter all over and add the cinnamon sugar mixture.
3)Fold in sides about 1/4 inch and then roll dough tightly.
4) Take a piece of un-waxed floss and place under roll and cross the pieces to cut about 1/2" slices.
5)Place cut rolls in a greased pan.  It's ok if they touch each other.
6)Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes OR until golden as all oven temps are different
7)Remove from oven and immediately add icing on top (recipe to follow below).


What you need for the icing: (this is insane tasting!!!!!!)
~1/2 Cup cream cheese (no subs, no low fat)
~1/4 Cup butter (no subs)
~1/4 Tsp salt
~1 Tsp Vanilla
~1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar


Let's get to work:
~Add all to a bowl and beat with mixer until blended and smooth.  Add right away to cinnamon rolls from the oven!