Cinnamon Rolls

By cprzybyl

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 package yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 teaspoon sugar, plus 1/2 cup for the dough, and 1/2 cup for the filling
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/2 cup or more as needed
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Details

Adapted from cbsnews.com

Preparation

Step 1

For the Cinnamon Rolls: In a small bowl mix 1/4 cup warm water with the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Set aside for about five minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken and bubble slightly. If the mixture does not start to thicken and bubble slightly, the yeast is not working. Check the expiration date on the yeast and start over.

In a large bowl stir together the reserved 1/2 cup sugar, egg, oil, and salt. Mix in the cold water and then boiling water. Add the yeast mixture and stir until well blended. Slowly add in the 4 cups of flour until incorporated.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with floured hands for about 8 to 10 minutes, adding in the extra 1/2 cup or more of flour as needed. Put the dough into a clean large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until doubled in size, about 3 hours.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon in a small bowl. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with about 1 tablespoon of the melted butter using a pastry brush.

Punch down the dough and place it onto a lightly-floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rectangle about 20-inches by 10-inches with the long edge facing you. Using the pastry brush, spread 1/4 cup (about 4 tablespoons) of the melted butter over the top of the dough. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire dough evenly. Roll up the dough starting with the long edge facing you into a long, tight cylinder. Gently squeeze the cylinder to seal it. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 even rounds. Place the rounds, cut side down, into the prepared baking dish. There will be some space in between the rounds. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake the cinnamon rolls until golden, about 40 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the icing by mixing the powdered sugar with the milk or orange juice in a small bowl. When the rolls come out of the oven drizzle the icing over the hot rolls. Serve while warm.