Friday, April 15, 2011

Cinnamon Craisin Rolls



Homemade cinnamon rolls -there are few things I find more cheerful in the morning. I don't make them all that often, but I always make them Christmas Eve so they are ready and waiting for us at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. I often use different bread recipes -sometimes whole wheat, sometimes milk and honey, sometimes oatmeal- each has its own character and charm and I am always happy with the results. Here I've used a whole wheat dough, substituted craisins for the usual raisins, and I used pecans instead of walnuts -Yum!



After the first rise, I roll out one bread loaf's worth of dough to form a rectangle approximately 12 x 20 inches, melt 1/4 - 1/3 c. of butter and evenly spread it over the rectangle. I then sprinkle it with the following sugar mix, and add craisins/raisins (our kids find both craisins and raisins offensive and always petition they be omitted, but my husband and I like them included) and/or nuts.

1/4 c. sugar
2 T. brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon

No matter the bread recipe used, the key to exceptionally light rolls is to make a softish dough, and then to allow the shaped rolls to rise a bit longer than for a loaf of bread. Bake until rolls spring back when pressed gently in -350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Cool somewhat and drizzle with glaze. When they are left overnight, we pop them in the microwave for 15 seconds to warm.

Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
1-2 T. milk as needed to make a thin glaze



Cinnamon rolls are perfect for those special mornings like Christmas, but I think it is particularly nice to wake up and find a pan ready and waiting on an ordinary weekend morning -immediately made special 'just because.'

5 comments:

  1. These look delicious, I will definitely track down the ingredients and give these a go. I am on holiday from work so I have no excuse. They would be a great snack for me when I am on early morning chicken patrol!

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  2. I have posted my version of these on my blog, they were delicious. Thank you for the recipe :)

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  3. Hi there, I found your blog via Lucy from England, how fun! I live on a small farm in the gorge in Oregon. Now I want cinnamon rolls!!

    Hugs from Oregon, USA -- Teresa :-)

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  4. Inthesky -I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!

    Teresa -I love hearing from someone living in Oregon via England! Welcome!

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  5. I am glad you two have 'met'. Teresa' and I bump into each other all the time in cyberspace, I love the Global Village. :)

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