Rolling Buns

MY VERSION of GRANDMA's RECIPE... it's a smaller batch, and was adapted to work with a KitchenAid.

My Grandma Hunter always made sure there were fresh-baked cinnamon rolls when our family came to visit. My youngest brother, Carl, when he was just a little squirt, called them "rolling buns", and the name just stuck! I can still picture her standing at the kitchen table kneading that yummy dough.

MAKES 12

(I let the stand mixer do the kneading!):

Dough:

1 pkg active dry yeast (or 1-3/4 tsp Instant Yeast - No need to proof - add directly)

1 cup warm milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

4 cups all-purpose flour

Dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Add sugar and allow to rest 10 minutes.

Add melted butter and eggs. Mix well and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer.

Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to bowl 1 cup at a time while mixing.

Allow mixer to knead dough for 7 - 10 minutes. Remove dough to a greased pan and allow to rest about 1 hour.

Proceed to assembly step.

Filling:

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup butter (or margarine), softened

Mix together cinnamon and brown sugar; set aside.

Assembly:

Roll out on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle about 16" X 20", about 1/4" thick.

Spread softened butter evenly across dough.

Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon and brown sugar mixture.

Starting from the top of the long side of rectangle, roll dough down to meet the bottom edge.

Cut into 12 slices.

HINT: To cut rolls, Grandma Hunter always slid a piece of thread under the roll, brought the ends up and crossed them across the top, and pulled to cut. I mark off 12 even slices, then line the thread up and pull it across on the marks. (This method keeps a knife from mashing down the dough!)

Place rolls, evenly spaced, in a PAM-coated 13" X 9" baking dish.

Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled - about 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Bake at 350 20 - 30 minutes, or until tops are light brown and dough is cooked through.

(MY GAS OVEN COOKS THEM QUICKER THAN MY ELECTRIC OVEN DID!!)

Check an inside roll to make sure they're done.  Do not over-bake.

To Par Bake:

1. Follow cinnamon roll recipe up until it is time to bake
2. Place rolls in a preheated 350 degree oven
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, You want them to rise and set but not brown
4. Remove them from the oven and cool completely
5. Cover the pans tightly with either the lid provided or plastic wrap
6. Place pans in the freezer
7. When ready to bake place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown
8. ** If the rolls are defrosted they will take less time to bake... check them after 10 minutes
9. If properly sealed, the rolls should be good in the freezer for 6-8 weeks

Icing:

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

While rolls are baking, mix together icing ingredients with electric mixer. DO NOT add milk or other liquid. Beat until fluffy.

Spread on warm (not hot) rolling buns.

Seems like a lot of steps, but they're all easy-peasy, andsoooooooo worth it!!