Cinnamon Buns from Heaven

By Addie

"From THE 150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES. When I made these, I left out half the butter and sugar in the filling, and all of the butter in the topping and they were still absolutely amazing. I used skim milk because that's all I had, and light butter in the filling. They were well worth making!! Add 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts and 1 1/2 cups raisins in the filling stage if desired."

Ingredients

• DOUGH:
• 1 cup warm water ( 105-115 degrees)
• 2 (1/4 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk, heated to lukewarm
• 10 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 cups all-purpose flour ( or more)
• .............................................................
• FILLING:
• 16 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• .............................................................
• CREAMY GLAZE:
• 10 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4-1/2 cup hot water

Preparation

Step 1

To make the dough, combine water, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar in a cup and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the milk, remaining 2/3 cup sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. Stir well and add the yeast mixture. Add 3 1/2 cups flour and beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour until the dough is slightly stiff -- it will be sticky.

Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes, adding just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. Place in a well-buttered bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place free from drafts until doubled in volume, 1- 1/4 hours. Punch down and let rest for 5 minute Roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 15x20-inch rectangle.

To make the filling, spread half of the melted butter on the dough. In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the dough, then sprinkle with walnuts and raisins if using. Roll up like a jelly roll and pinch the edges together to seal. Cut the roll into 12 or 18 slices.

If making 12 buns, use the remaining butter to coat the bottoms of a 9x13-inch baking pan and an 8-inch baking pan. If making 18 buns, use 2 9x13-inch pans. Sprinkle the pans with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place the cinnamon bun slices close together in the pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the buns are nicely browned. Let cool slightly before glazing.

To make the glaze, combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the water 1 T at a time until you have a spreadable glaze. Spread over buns and serve.
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REVIEWS:

Very very good. I halfed the butter for the filling as well and I also made the glaze with just vanila, confectioners sugar and water I only used 2 cups of sugar. They were perfect fluffy and yummy my husband and son loved them, definitely will be making these again.

I truly was in heaven!