Weekends are for lazy mornings and delicious treats. Forget battling sticky dough and complicated techniques – these bread machine cinnamon rolls are the answer to your weekend baking dreams! This recipe uses your bread machine to do the heavy lifting, leaving you with incredibly soft, perfectly spiced cinnamon rolls ready to enjoy with a steaming mug of coffee. This recipe is a perfect example of easy recipes and healthy meals combined; it's satisfying without being overly indulgent. Get ready to experience the joy of homemade cooking with this simple yet impressive dish. It's among the best recipes you'll ever try for a quick weekend breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Bread Machine Magic: In your bread machine pan, combine the warm milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, salt, flour, and yeast in the order specified by your bread machine's manual. Many machines have specific instructions regarding ingredient order.
- Select the Dough Cycle: Select the "dough" cycle on your bread machine. Let the machine knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on your bread machine model.
- Rise Time: Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the bread machine and place it on a lightly floured surface.
Assembling the Rolls:
- Roll it Out: Roll the dough into a 12x18-inch rectangle.
- Spread the Love (Butter & Filling): Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Roll it Up: Tightly roll the dough up from the long side into a log.
- Slice and Bake: Cut the log into 12 equal slices. Place the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Making the Icing:
- Easy Icing: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Glaze it Up: Once the rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the icing generously over the top.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls:
- Don't rush the rise: Allowing the dough to rise completely is crucial for fluffy and tender rolls.
- Use quality ingredients: Fresh yeast and good quality butter make a difference in the taste and texture.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer less sweet rolls, reduce the amount of sugar in both the dough and the filling.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to the filling.
- Cream cheese frosting: Instead of a simple powdered sugar icing, try a cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent treat.
- Apple cinnamon rolls: Substitute applesauce for some of the butter in the dough and add chopped apples to the filling.
Nutritional Information (per roll, approximate):
- Calories: 350-400
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
- Protein: 5-7g
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious and easy bread machine cinnamon rolls! They are a perfect addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals.