My favorite…and the best….cinnamon roll recipe

My kid’s second trimester ended last Thursday, and they all did a great job in their classes. I decided to make my favorite all time cinnamon roll recipe to celebrate with them. They were all excited to come home to fresh homemade cinnamon rolls.

This really is a great recipe. The rolls are soft and delicious, and the chocolate chips add just the perfect amount of sweetness. I have been baking a lot of bread lately, and this recipe turns out nice every time. My family loves them, and they are yummy enough to take to your friends or neighbors. Enjoy!

Prep. Time: 4:00 Serves: 12 – 15

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 Tbls. ground cinnamon

(2) .25 oz. pkts. active dry yeast

1 tsp. granulated sugar

1 cup 110 degree water

1 cup warm milk

2/3 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup melted butter OR margarine

2 tsp. salt

2 eggs – slightly beaten

up to 8 cups all-purpose flour

FIlling:

Cinnamon sugar mixture

1/2 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips – optional

Icing:

1/2 cup melted butter

4 cups powdered sugar

2/3 cup melted butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. maple extract – optional, but recommended

up to 6 Tbls. hot water

-Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar and the cinnamon; set aside. -In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp. sugar in warm water; set aside. -In a large bowl, mix together milk, 2/3 cup sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, salt, and eggs; add yeast mixture and 4 cups of flour to mixture; beat until smooth; stir in enough flour to form a slightly stiff dough. -Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead for 8 minutes. -Place dough into a large greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 – 1 1/2 hours. -Punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes. -Roll dough out onto a floured surface into a 15″ X 20″ rectangle. -Brush 1/2 cup melted butter over dough; sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over dough; sprinkle nuts evenly over dough, if desired. -Tightly roll up dough and pinch edges together to seal; cut the roll into 12 – 15 slices using dental floss or thread. -Spray a large cookie sheet pan -Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the prepared pan; cover pan and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. -Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 – 30 minutes, or until golden brown. -Stir together powdered sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, and extracts; stir in hot water, 1 Tbls. at a time, until the glaze reaches desired spreading consistency. -Spread prepared icing over slightly cooled rolls.