CHRISTMAS MORNING CINNAMON ROLLS RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Stir together first 2 ingredients and 1 tsp. granulated sugar in a glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
• Beat 1/2 cup softened butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp. salt, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and next 2 ingredients, beating until blended. Stir in yeast mixture.
• Stir together 4 1/2 cups flour and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed 1 minute or until well blended.
• Heavily flour a flat surface; turn dough out, and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes), adding up to 1/2 cup more bread flour as needed to prevent dough from sticking. Place dough in a lightly greased (with cooking spray) large bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (80° to 85°), free from drafts, 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down; turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread with 1/2 cup very soft butter, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and sprinkle sugar mixture over butter. Top with pecans.
• Roll up dough, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side; cut into 16 slices (about 1 inch thick). Place rolls, cut sides down, in 2 lightly greased (with cooking spray) 9-inch square pans. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Let rolls rise in a warm place (80° to 85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Spread Cream Cheese Icing over rolls. Serve warm.

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the milk, granulated sugar, butter, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment and stir to combine well. Add the eggs and stir until well mixed. Add the flour and mix on medium-high speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let stand in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and lightly flour a work surface. Lay the dough out and pat or roll the dough out into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle.
• For the filling: Butter a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish. Spread the softened butter evenly all over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border, then sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle with the pecans and raisins if using. Starting with a short end, roll up the dough and press and crimp the edges to seal. Cut the dough into 12 slices and arrange them in the buttered baking dish. If you want to bake them the same day, cover with plastic wrap and let stand until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Otherwise, refrigerate overnight; take out of the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the cinnamon rolls until puffed and golden brown all over, about 25 minutes.
• For the icing: Put the confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the melted butter, vanilla and 4 tablespoons of milk; whisk until smooth. Add additional milk, about 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to achieve a thick but spreadable consistency.
• Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve warm.