Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Happy Sunday Evening Everyone,

If you are like our family, then you are watching the Panthers and the Saints compete in the NFL playoffs, while yummy goodness is being made and prepared for this upcoming week in the kitchen.

The first of December in 2017, I had the great pleasure of throwing my daughter's ninth birthday party at a Tea Room - her idea as she was wanting to dress up fancy and have a high tea.  During her party, I purchased from the tea room, some Bacon Cinnamon Rolls.  Upon bringing them home, my husband, told me "although these are good, they need more cinnamon and more icing."  So I felt I should be tasked on making my own version of homemade cinnamon rolls and remake this amazing dish.

Paula Dean was my inspiration as I came across a recipe of hers, that I tweaked and made my own.  Below are the instructions and ingredients (which is a double recipe you see below).  If you would like to make half of what you see here, then simply divide the ingredients in half.

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1/2 ounce packed yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup scalding milk
• bring regular 2% milk to 82 degrees F'
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup butter melted
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 eggs
• 6 cups of all-purpose flour

Filling:

• 1 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for pan
• 6 tablespoons cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of bacon bits (I used the ones already pre-made in the bag)
• you can use raisins, walnuts or pecans as well

Glaze/Icing:

• 8 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 12 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside.
3. In a large bowl mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and eggs.  Add 4 cups of flour and mix until smooth. (I use my kitchen aide mixer with the bread tool).  
4. Add yeast mixture.  mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle.  Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes.  Place in a well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour and a half.
   
5. When doubled in size, punch down dough. 
   
   
   
   
6. Roll out on a floured surface into a 15x13-inch rectangle.
   
7. Spread melted butter all over dough.  Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough.  Sprinkle with bacon if desired.
   
   
   
   
8. Beginning at the 15-inch side, roll up dough and pinch edge together to seal.  Cut into 12 to 15 slices.
   
9. Coat the bottom of baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar.  
10. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 1 hour.  Bake for about 30-35 minutes  or until browned on top.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency.  
    
12. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.