Are you craving the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked bread? Then look no further! This old-fashioned sweet roll recipe will transport you back to simpler times with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and irresistible sweetness. These aren't your average store-bought rolls; these are homemade, from-scratch deliciousness that's surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for a lazy weekend brunch, a special occasion, or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day, these rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready to experience the joy of homemade cooking with this easy recipe!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 - 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Assembling and Baking the Rolls:
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough is rising, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll Out the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 12x18 inch rectangle.
- Spread the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll and Slice: Tightly roll the dough up from the long side. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices using a sharp knife.
- Place in Pan: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Making the Glaze:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Glaze the Rolls: Once the rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over them.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough.
- Make it nutty: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling.
- Try a different glaze: Experiment with cream cheese frosting or a lemon glaze.
- Freeze for later: You can freeze the unbaked rolls before the second rise. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Nutritional Information (per roll, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: Approximately 10g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35g
- Protein: Approximately 4g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Enjoy these delightful old-fashioned sweet rolls! They're the perfect comforting treat for any occasion. Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!