Cinnamon Buns

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Dough:

1. In a small saucepan, warm the milk until it’s lukewarm (around 110°F or 45°C). Remove from heat and stir in a teaspoon of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the egg mixture and stir until combined.
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, while mixing. When the dough becomes too thick to mix, use your hands to knead it in the bowl. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

For the Cinnamon Filling:

6. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to create a smooth paste.

Assembly:

7. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 16×21 inches in size.
8. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
9. Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
10. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
11. Place the cinnamon buns in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
12. Cover the dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.

Baking:

13. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
14. Bake the cinnamon buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

15. While the cinnamon buns are baking, prepare the cream cheese icing. In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth.
16. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the icing is creamy and well mixed.

Finishing:

17. Once the cinnamon buns are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before spreading the cream cheese icing over the top.
18. Serve your freshly baked and iced cinnamon buns while they’re still warm. Enjoy!