Are you craving the warm, gooey goodness of cinnamon rolls but dreading the hours of kneading and rising? Then you're in for a treat! This recipe uses a bread machine to simplify the process, letting you enjoy delicious, homemade cinnamon rolls without the fuss. Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food, made easy and perfect for a cozy weekend brunch or a special treat any day of the week. This recipe is your shortcut to bakery-quality cinnamon rolls, using simple ingredients and a little help from your trusty kitchen appliance. It's a perfect example of delicious and easy recipes for everyone.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
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
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Dough (Bread Machine):
- Add the warm milk, sugar, salt, softened butter, egg, flour, and yeast to your bread machine pan in the order recommended by your machine's manual. Most machines prefer liquids first.
- Select the “dough” setting on your bread machine and press start. Let the machine do its magic! This usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Preparing the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
Assembling and Baking the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Once the dough cycle is complete, carefully remove the dough from the bread machine pan. Gently punch down the dough to release the air.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Tightly roll the dough up from the long side, like a jelly roll.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 12 equal slices.
- Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
Making the Icing:
- While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Glazing and Serving:
- Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, generously drizzle the icing over the rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough.
- Feel free to experiment with different fillings, such as cream cheese frosting, pecan filling, or even a caramel sauce.
- If you don't have a bread machine, you can make this dough by hand, but it will require more time and effort.
- These cinnamon rolls are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: 15-20g
- Protein: 5-7g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
- Sugar: 25-30g
This recipe provides a delicious and convenient way to enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls. It's a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meal options, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxing weekends. The bread machine does most of the work, leaving you with more time to enjoy the sweet rewards!