Pat's Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 24
Yield: 24 servings

Description

These homemade cinnamon rolls can be made the night before and baked in the morning for a moist and decadently rich breakfast treat.

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk

Directions

1 Warm 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan until it just starts to bubble, then remove from heat. Add ½ cup of butter and stir until melted. Add water and let cool until lukewarm.
2 Place lukewarm milk mixture, yeast, white sugar, salt, eggs, and 2 cups flour in a large bowl; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3 When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
4 Divide dough into two equal pieces. Using a floured rolling pin, roll each piece into a 12x9-inch rectangle.
5 Stir cinnamon and brown sugar together in a bowl. Spread each piece of rolled dough with ¼ cup butter and half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
6 Roll up dough, using a little water to seal the seam.
7 Cut each roll into 12 slices using a very sharp knife. Arrange rolls cut-side down onto two 9x13-inch greased baking pans. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
8 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
9 Bake cinnamon rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
10 Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat confectioners sugar, softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon softened butter, and vanilla together in a bowl. Add milk gradually until frosting reaches a spreading consistency.
11 Spread frosting over warm (but not hot) cinnamon rolls.
12 Serve and enjoy.