Wednesday, October 20, 2010

cream cheese cinnamon rolls


Cinnamon Rolls are hard work.
They aren't even my favorite baked good.
Never have been.

However, if I am ever going
to make Cinnamon Rolls again
I will make these.

They are yummy.
Melt in your mouth, even!
They are mega fattening.
I think that's the way a Cinnamon Roll
should be.



I was so pleased with how these turned out,
especially after spending
 all day in the kitchen to make
them.


But, honestly, I would rather spend my time 
slaving over a baked good to 
have the end result be 
a chocolate cake.
What do you think?

The recipe:

Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls
The Dough:
1 package (2¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
½ teaspoons, plus ¼ cup sugar, divided
½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
¾ teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature


The Filling:
½ cup sugar
¼ dark brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Other Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided in half, melted
For the Icing:
1½ cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk
1. To Make the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer combine yeast, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 cup water heated to 115°F. Stir to combine and let sit until frothy and foamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the remaining sugar, milk, light brown sugar, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Beat with a wire whisk until well combined. Fit the bowl onto the mixer, fitting with the dough hook attachment. Add the flour and salt and mix on medium speed until the dough just begins to come together. Turn the machine on medium-high and knead the dough for 4 minutes.
3. Add the butter and continue to knead for about 6 minutes. The dough will be wet and sticky. Place the dough on a well floured work surface, and knead about 1/3 cup all-purpose flour into the dough. The dough still might be a little sticky, which is ok. Set the dough to rest in a large greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. While the dough rises, make the filling. Combine the sugar, dark brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, salt and cloves in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in the maple syrup. Set aside.
5. When the dough has doubled in size, dump it from the bowl onto a heavily floured work surface. Gently knead the dough until it is no longer sticky, adding more flour as needed. Work the dough for about 1 or 2 minutes. Once it’s no longer sticky, place a kitchen towel over the dough and let rest for 5 minutes before you roll it out.
6. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 10 x 10-inch square.
7. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with a knife until it’s smooth and spreadable.
8. Spread the cream cheese evenly over the dough square. Fold the square into thirds like you would fold a letter to fit into an envelope. Take the open ends of the rectangle and fold into thirds again, to make a smaller dough square.
9. Invert the dough so that the seam is face down and, using the rolling pin, gently roll it into a 10 x 20-inch rectangle. You may find that some cream cheese sneaks through. Be as gentle as possible with the dough, but continue to work it until you reach the size you need.
10. Turn the dough so that the short sides are parallel to you.
11. Brush the top of the dough with half of the melted butter. We’ll use the rest of the butter after the rolls are baked.
12. Pour all of the filling onto the dough. Spread evenly, leaving a 1-inch boarder at one of the short edges of the dough so the roll can be properly sealed. Lightly press the filling into the dough.
13. Using your hands, lift up the bottom edge of the dough and roll it forward into a tight cylinder. Place dough cylinder seam side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp, thin knife, trim off the uneven edges.
14. Cut the cylinder into 8 equal slices. Nestle the slices, cut side up and evenly spaced in a butter 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to let rise for 2 hours. You may also refrigerate rolls overnight.
15. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Uncover the rolls. If you refrigerated the rolls, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
16. Transfer the pan of cinnamon rolls to a cooling rack. Brush with remaining melted butter. Let cool for 5 minutes.
17. Make the icing: Whisk together the sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth, adding more sugar or milk to reach your desired consistency.
18. Dip the tines of a fork into the icing and drizzle over the rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.




6 comments:

Laurie said...

I think I love cinnamon rolls over chocolate cake even though I know you and Dad prefer cake. Those rolls look great, Tab! I know they are a lot of work! Eat one for me?!!

Iz & Jake's Mommy said...

ok... i LOVE cinnamon rolls! ... please please please eat some for me! or just bring some over here! mmmmmmmmmmmmm mouth is currently watering! keep the recipe up here! I will def copy it into my recipe box tomorrow. love ya!

A.M.P. said...

thank you for putting up the recipe cuz I was totally gonna ask you for it! they look so light and fluffy- waaaaay better than mine turned out *pout* oh wells- we cook & we learn :) i agree that cinn. rolls are alotta hard work for someone who isn't in love with them. go ahead and get on that cake..ill fly right on over and help you devour it. <3

Shannon said...

I like the idea of maple syrup in the filling. That's not something I've heard of before. And I agree - I love cinnamon rolls but I would rather have chocolate. That's probably why I make chocolate chip cookies so much!

LivG said...

Those look delish! I'd want coffee to go with, but yes I am with you on the chocolate cake. With chocolate frosting too :-)

Seeing Through New Eyes said...

Your cinnamon rolls look wonderful!!!! (Though you can't hear it, I'm applauding you.) My husband would chose cinnamon rolls but I'm with Shannon and Liv - chocolate cake. . . .with chocolate frosting. . . .and a scoop of soft serve vanilla ice cream. Yum!!!!!!