Cinnamon Buns {a recipe}

Every year, on Christmas Eve, I prepare Cinnamon Buns. And every Christmas morning I pull them out of the fridge to rise, and scurry back to bed. Aside from that, I don’t really ever make them. They are a once of year kind of treat. But this weekend, after what looks like 2.5 feet of snow falling in my backyard… I decided it was a great day for cinnamon buns. Who can resist the furnace blowing, the oven heating… the mixer mixing.. not to mention delightful cinnamon buns complete with cream cheese icing.

I need to start by saying this isn’t MY recipe that I concocted… but I also have to say I have had for about 6 years, and I’m not sure where I found it. But we use it every year, and it’s a winner in our house. Not the most healthy, but really, what cinnamon bun is? I hope you enjoy, let me know how they turn out!

Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Icing

preheat oven to 350.F Bake time: 15-20 min

Ingredients

1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup warm milk
1 egg, room temp
1 tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups bread flower (I use 1 cup whole grain, 3 cups unbleached-all purpose)
1 (.25) ounce package of active dry yeast

Filling

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup of brown sugar
4 tsp cinnamon

1. In the pan of your bread machine combine dough ingredients. Set machine to dough cycle, press start. (if you don’t have a BM, mix ingredients, allow to rise, pound out, allow to rise again. On my machine the process takes 1.5 hours)

2.When dough cycle finishes, turn dough out on floured surface and roll into a 17x10in rectangle. Spread with butter. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over dough.

3.Roll up dough into a log. Slice into 16 in slices. (I mark mine with a knife and then cut with dental floss to keep them nice and round) Place in a 9×13 buttered pan. Let rise until doubled. About 45 mins.

4. Bake for about 15-20 mins. top with cream cheese icing

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients