Cinnamon Rolls

What could be sweeter than the scent of cinnamon? I’ll tell you, Cinnamon Rolls baking in the oven. That’s exactly what filled my home the other day, Cinnamon Rolls in the oven, chill evening with light showers. A hot cup of coffee, and troubles could take a hike. If only the Cinnamon Rolls didn’t take so long, they’d be a regular affair I’d be happy to indulge in for sure. This was my first time baking them. Not perfect, but still good I’d say. A touch more cinnamon and 5 minutes less baking time would have been just right.

Ingredients:

Dough

4 ½ cups sifted flour

14 gm. wet yeast

1 cup milk

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup sugar

½ salt

3 eggs

Filling:

¾ cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 – 1 ½ tb sp cinnamon powder

½ cup cold butter (cut into pieces)

½ cup raisins

Method:

Tip the flour and salt on your kitchen’s clean platform. Heat the milk and the sugar till the sugar dissolves, take it off the heat and add the butter. Take ¼ cup of this mixture to mix in the yeast till it has completely dissolved. Now tip the yeast mix into the flour. Begin mixing in while slowly adding the milk, butter and sugar mixture. Now add the eggs one at a time. This will turn into one sticky mess. Don’t sweat. Now knead the dough till it all comes together well and becomes smooth and is no more sticky. Make a ball of this dough and let it rest in a warm place covered for about 2 hours. The dough will rise in double or more. After 2 hours, knock the dough back and knead gently, just a few times. Let it sit for 10 minutes. In the meantime, mix all the ingredients for the filling. Add the butter and mix till it looks like crumbs. Roll the dough to about a 12 inch square. Spread the filling evenly and toss the raisins. Now roll the dough into a log. Make sure it’s tight. Now cut the log into rolls and place them on butter paper lined baking tray. Cover this with a cloth and let them rest for another hour till they rise again. You can give it an egg or cream wash before popping them into the oven as well. Bake at 190C in a pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes. Don’t let them brown too much (like mine). Enjoy your home filled with the wonderful aroma of sweet cinnamon goodness. Get them out of the oven and let them cool a while. Eat them warm with a cup of tea or coffee. Small joys of life. It’s midnight and I’m getting myself one now ;)