My Favorite Cinnamon Roll Recipe

I meant to include this in the last post, but I felt compelled to post my favorite cinnamon roll (maybe favorite recipe) of all time. I don't recommend it for diabetics, or for people who shouldn't consume about 100,000 calories in one sitting. Ok, maybe the second one is a little flexible =). They aren't at all diet friendly, but they are certainly taste bud friendly! It took me a couple times of making them to perfect the "rise" of the dough, but once I did, they were FABULOUS! They're my mom's favorite, too. Oh, and using the Saigon Cinnamon (which you can get at Costco for an amazing price) makes them even gooier/more delicious.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/3 cup margarine, melted
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
2. After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

Fall

So, the weather has been pretty frigid lately - much colder than what Fall should be. I was a little resistant at first, but I've sort of embraced it over the last few days. I love the way the air smells, I love all the holidays that happen during cold weather, and I love being able to stay inside without feeling guilty. In the warmer weather, I feel like I should always be outside, taking full advantage. When it's super cold out, I feel like it's ok to stay in and relax. It kind of gives me the "green light' to start breaking out my recipes (and find some new ones) for cooking/baking. When the oven is on for hours producing all that heat, I feel like it's a little more electric bill friendly =). Knowing the weather, though, these plans will all be null and void because it will be 80 degrees again by the end of the week. But, at least I know when the cold is here to stay, I'll be ready.

First-Timer

So, blogging is one of those things that I've always wanted to do, but never got around to doing. I love reading other people's blogs, whether they make me laugh, inspire me, give me a new recipe, or just keep my interest. I like the whole idea of blogging - it's sort of like being able to read someone's journal. But, every time I considered starting one, I would always change my mind. Truth be told, I feel a little nerdy. But, oh well, I'll get over it. I used to love keeping a journal, and I don't do it anymore. Maybe this will make me feel like taking the time to "write".... and also make me realize that I use way too many commas!