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Cinnamon Roll Recipe (with a Pull-Apart option)

This is an easy cinnamon roll recipe that I make every Christmas morning. The dough can be made in the bread maker, but if you don't have one or is broken (like ours), it can be done with a stand mixer...or if you are strong, by hand!
Course Breakfast, Dessert, holiday
Keyword Christmas, Cinnamon buns, Cinnamon rolls, cream cheese, frosted, icing, Pull-apart
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author withinthisspace

Ingredients

The Dough

  • 1 cup milk Any kind at room temp
  • 1/4 cup water room temp
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 4 cups All purpose Flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 tbsp sugar You can sub for any sugar
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast

THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING SHORTAGE

    Here is a recipe to use if you can't find instant pudding

    • 3 cups non-fat dry milk
    • 4 cups sugar You can sub any sugar (I use syrup)
    • 3 cups cornstarch
    • 5 tsp vanilla extract or powder (I use vanilla bean powder)
    • 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
    • 1/4 tsp salt

    The filling (I usually eye ball)

    • 1/4 cup softened butter enough to cover the dough
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 tbsp cinnamon you can add more or less

    The Cream Cheese Icing

    • 4 oz cream cheese (use full-fat) 4oz = 1/2 package or 1/2 cup
    • 1/4 cup softened butter
    • 1 ½ cups Icing sugar
    • 1½ tsp milk any kind
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    THE DOUGH

      For the bread machine

      • Preheat oven to 350°
      • Add first 9 ingredients in order suggested by your machines manufacturer
      • Select the "dough" setting.
      • Check the dough after 5 minutes of mixing. ADD 1-2tbsp water or flour if needed
      • When cycle is completed, toss the dough on a lightly floured surface

      Making the rolls

      • Roll into an approximate 17"x10" rectangle.
      • Spread with the softened butter
      • Sprinkle a generous amount of the suagr and cinnamon mixture
      • Roll tightly, starting from the long side, rolling up. Pinch the seams.
      • Cut into equal sizes, approx 20 pieces
      • Place cut side down in a VERY greased baking pan
      • Cover with towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
      • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

      Stand Mixer or by Hand.

      • Mix active yeast with the warm water and let sit
      • Using the mixing paddle, beat Butter with vanilla pudding mix, sugar until fluffy. Add salt,
      • beat in the egg
      • Add the milk and stir.
      • Stir in yeast
      • Change to the dough hook
      • Add the flour, little at a time.
      • Take out and knead on a lightly floured surface until it becomes a nice and stretchy dough.
      • Follow the "Making the Rolls" instruction

      To Make Pull-Apart (our favourite with little people)

      • Follow dough instructions (either bread machine/stand mixer/hand)
      • Instead of rolling, make 1 inch balls and roll into the "filling" and place in a well greased/buttered bundt pan until the pan is half full (using all the dough)
      • Cover with a towel and let rise until double in a warm place (approx 45min)
      • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. It should be bubbly and slightly crispy on the sides.

      Cream Cheese Icing

      • Mix all ingredients together until smooth
      • Ice the warm rolls
      • Warm the icing up if you are wanting to make a dip for the pull-aparts (our favourite messy treat)