Cinnamon Roll Recipe

[semperfiona]

Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 package active dry yeast. Heat and stir 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup margarine or butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt till warm (120° to 130°) and margarine almost melts. Add to flour mixture along with 2 eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of 2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour as you can.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 hour).
Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Roll half of the dough into a 12x8 inch rectangle. Melt 3 tablespoons margarine or butter; brush half of margarine over dough. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon; sprinkle half of mixture over dough.¹ If desired, measure 3/4 cup raisins; sprinkle half of raisins over dough.² Roll up from one of the long sides. Seal seams. Slice³ dough into 12 pieces. Repeat with remaining dough, margarine, sugar mixture and raisins. Place rolls in two greased 9x1 1/2 inch round baking pans.⁴ Cover; let rise until nearly double (about 30 minutes). Bake in a 375° oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from pans. Makes 24 rolls.

¹ I mix the butter, sugar and cinnamon together into a gloppy mess and spread that over the dough. I also use this amount for each half.
² I always "plump" my raisins by simmering them in water before use. This time I added three capfuls of brandy to the water, which was just enough to give them a bit of added flavor.
³ Use a piece of thread pulled up from beneath and crossed over the top to get the cleanest cuts without squashing the rolls.
⁴ I find that one recipe fits exactly in a 9x13 pan, and I never get quite 24 rolls. This go-round I got 17.

Comments

[needlegrrl]

yumm. you're a tease, that's what. now i need to make these. :)

[semperfiona]

As I remarked in reply to Al's comment yesterday, I propose we make them at the 'boink.

But you can certainly make them now. They're really easier than you'd think.

[needlegrrl]

mmm.. yes. :) that sounds lovely.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Do you ever make it without the raisins?

Signed,
A non-lover of raisins

[semperfiona]

I haven't, because everyone I've ever made it for was a raisin-lover. But I certainly *could*, and it would still be yummy.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

You'd have to make two different batches for us... I love raisins, especially with the thought of adding the brandy! :-D

[semperfiona]

Oh, the sacrifices I have to make. ::chuckle::

Re:

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I just knew you'd be crestfallen. ;-)

[semperfiona]

I beg to differ! My toothpaste is safely on the bathroom counter in a basket. Not only that, it's Colgate.

Re:

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

*groan* I guess I asked for that.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

*splorf*

Beverage warning in the future, please! :)

[semperfiona]

Dan yesterday, you today. ::boxing champion dance::

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Dan yesterday, you today

I could so take this out of context...... ;)

Oh, what the hell....

OK :D

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I could so take this out of context

And this would be unlike you how, exactly? ;-)

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

I don't use raisins. I do use pecans.

:-D

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

mmmmmm, pecans.....

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Embrace the power of AND. ;-)

[semperfiona]

The original recipe has a caramel-pecan version but I've never made it, being from a family of raisin-fiends.

[needlegrrl]

i'm finally going to try and make this tomorrow. :)

[needlegrrl]

so, i think that my saving this recipe in my memories might be about to pay off - i actually thought of doing it early enough that i can go and get the ingredients, and make it for my sweeties in the morning. :)

(hugs) miss you! hope you're having a ball.