Our Favourite Cinnamon Rolls

While I still love everything that Ree from thepioneerwoman.com cooks, I think we have found a new cinnamon bun recipe that we enjoy just a little bit more than her famous cinnamon buns. I'm so sorry Ree! It's nothing personal, if everyone liked the exact same things then life wouldn't be interesting, right?

This new recipe I found on sweetapolita.com and we have adjusted it over the last few months to suit our tastes.  I whipped these up for our Christmas brunch and they were a huge success! Everyone had one on their plate, I don't think I have ever seen a dozen cinnamon buns disappear so quickly.

These are now our go-to for cinnamon rolls.  I have to watch how often I make them or we would happily survive off of cinnamon rolls alone!

This recipe makes a dozen cinnamon rolls, and they will disappear faster than you could ever imagine!

Our Favourite Cinnamon Rolls

• 2 1/4 tsps active dry yeast (or 1 package)
• 1 cup warm whole milk 
• 1 tbsp sugar + 1/2 cup sugar (separated)
• 1/3 cup margarine (room temperature)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups flour
• Filling:
• 1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 - 2 tbsp cinnamon

1. In a small bowl dissolve the yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in the warm milk and let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes to proof
2. While the yeast is proofing, add the margarine, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, eggs, and flour to a large bowl 
3. After the yeast has expanded, add it to the large bowl and mix well
4. When the dough starts to come together knead it with your hands on a lightly floured surface until a soft dough forms
5. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a lint-free tea towel and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (this usually takes just over an hour)
6. After the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle (roughly 12" x 20")
7. Brush the melted butter over the rectangle of dough
8. Sprinkle on the brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon
9. Roll the dough into a long roll and slice it into 12 pieces
10. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and then place the rolls on the cookie sheet
11. Place the cinnamon rolls in a warm place and cover them with the tea towel again
12. Let the rolls rise for an hour
13. Preheat the oven to 400 F
14. After the rolls have finished their second rise, bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges are light brown
15. Let cool, and enjoy!