Cinnamon Rolls

As you read this, I am on a plane to Marseille, France, where I will begin a summer study abroad program for the next five weeks. More information on that to come, but while I recover from jet lag, here is a recipe for cinnamon rolls my dad and I made at the beginning of the summer. They are a little more complicated than the Pillsbury canned version, but so delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk

Directions
Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the butter; stir until melted. Add water and let cool until lukewarm.

In a large bowl, combine the milk mixture, yeast, white sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups flour; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Divide dough into two pieces. Roll each piece into a 12x9 inch rectangle. In a bowl, stir together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Spread each piece with half of the butter, half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough, using a little water to seal the seam.

Cut each roll into 12 slices using a very sharp knife or dental floss. Place rolls onto two 9x13 inch greased baking pans. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

To make frosting; combine confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add milk gradually until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Spread over warm (but not hot) cinnamon rolls.

Recipe from Allrecipes.com.