Cinnabon-like Cinnamon Rolls

Hello there! This will be my second Instructable and possibly my absolute favorite. I am extremely excited to be sharing this recipe today, it may just be well known to you...This is a grand dessert that I've been addicted to for the past couple of weeks.

Have you ever walked in a mall, or an airport and smelled warm, yummy cinnamon and ooey gooey icing?? The scent is so comforting and addicting, it must be good right? IT'S GOTTA BE CINNABON!

CINNAMON ROLLS! WAH! WOO! AH!

As a kid I loved stopping there to buy one, there was something about it that made me so happy....but It could have been that just like every other child I wanted something with loads of sugar...hehe.
Anyway, today I will be showing you how to make them in your own home! You don't need to travel anywhere to try these! The ingredients aren't difficult to find and there aren't any complicated steps in the recipe, so you shouldn't have any difficulties.

The recipe is originally from Jenny Jones: http://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/homemade-cinn...

I tweaked it a bit and added a few methods to make sure these look and taste close to a Cinnabon ♥ You can also make these VEGAN, which is the best part.

These delicious rolls are gooey, sweet and to me the ultimate treat (unintentionally rhymed haha)
I hope you like them! Let me know what you think if you do by leaving a comment ^_^

~Maly♥

Step 1: Ingredients

DOUGH
1 1/2 CUPS bread flour (all purpose works if you don't have)
1/4 CUP sugar
1 PACKET (2 1/4 TSP or 1/4 oz) fast-rising yeast (regular works as well)
1/2 TSP salt
1/2 CUP milk of your choice
3 TBSP oil (canola, vegetable, and corn work well, but you can use whichever you prefer)
1 egg (omit if making this vegan, and add 1 tbsp melted butter to dough)
1/4 - 1/2 CUP extra flour

FILLING
2 TBSP butter (I used vegan but you can use whatever 'spreadable butter' you have)
1/4 CUP brown sugar (dark preferred)
2 TSP ground cinnamon

ICING
1-2 CUPS powdered sugar
4 TBSP cream cheese (can replace it with dairy-free cream cheese or yogurt)
1 TBSP butter (use vegan for dairy-free)
1//2 TSP vanilla
Pinch salt

Step 2: Preparing Your Dough

In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix your egg and oil until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients (except extra flour), then add them to the egg/oil mixture. Add your yeast. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed and begin to mix everything together.

Meanwhile, heat up your milk/vanilla to 110-120 degrees F (depending on the type of yeast you have).
Slowly drizzle the liquid down the side of your mixing bowl while the mixer is still running. Continue to mix until the batter is smooth, about 1-2 minutes, then stop immediately.

Step 3: Kneading & Proofing

Switch to the dough hook attachment.

Add about half of the extra flour into your batter, mixing on low until just combined.
Turn your mixer back on and slowly sprinkle the flour in the dough until it comes together and doesn't stick too much in the bowl (as shown on picture).

Increase the speed to low-medium, kneading your dough until it is smooth and elastic, around 4-7 minutes.

Grease a large bowl.
Scoop your dough out of the mixer and, using your hands, pull it together into a ball. Place it into the greased bowl and roll it around to coat it evenly.

Cover with a damp cloth and place it in a warm spot to rise for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Making the Filling

Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and set aside.

Step 5: Preparing/baking the Rolls

Uncover your dough and place it on a well floured work surface. Roll it out until it's a thin rectangle (aim at the thinnest you can possibly go, around 1/8 - 1/16 of an inch). This really helps with making these more like Cinnabon cinnamon rolls! :)

Brush the top of your dough with the melted butter, making sure to coat it entirely. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top, covering the entire perimeter.

Use a rolling pin to lightly press it over the sprinkled sugar, this ensures it doesn't fall out! Now, beginning with the long end, roll the dough up into a log, sort of like a jelly roll. Once you reach the end, pinch it together to secure the log (you may need to use a touch of water to help it stick).
Cut the rolls about 2 inches apart each, either with a sharp knife or using floss (Demonstration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aehvit2vfVI) Place them into a greased and parchment paper-lined 8" square baking pan (on both sides), spreading them out evenly.

Cover and let them rise until they are doubled in size, about an hour or so. When the rolls are ready, brush the tops with melted butter. This helps the rolls get a beautiful golden brown color!
Then place them in your oven and bake for about 15-17 minutes, checking at 16 minutes. You want to bake them JUST until they are just golden.

**While the rolls are baking, you want to prepare the icing, see in the next step**

Step 6: Making the Icing

Whip the butter, vanilla and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.

Add the powdered sugar and slowly whip together, starting on the lowest speed and increasing to high.

When the icing is smooth and creamy, it's ready!

Step 7: Icing the Rolls and Enjoying Them ^_^

Drizzle the ooey, gooey, delicious icing over the rolls when they are just out of the oven (ok more like after 5 minutes out of the oven hehe).

Cut and enjoy! These are best the same day, but if you must save them for the next day, cover well with plastic wrap and place in the freezer. To reheat, place back in the oven at the lowest temperature until warm.

These are seriously the most delicious and addicting treat ever :)
Your house will smell amazing, full of rich cinnamon and warm bread.

Hope you guys liked this recipe and try it out! Check out my video that I linked in the first part of this Instructable for a video demonstration.

Thanks!

~Malery
♥