Cinnamon Rolls & Swirl Bread

Originally Written: Thursday, December 13, 2007

Cinnamon Rolls and Cinnamon Swirl Bread

4 tablespoons yeast
5 cups warm water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2/3 cup dry powdered milk
14 cups of flour (approximately)
1 cup oil
4 eggs
*Yield* Makes five dozen + of cinnamon rolls or 5 - 6 loaves of bread dependent on the size of loaf pans you use. I've halved it before, and it has turned out fine.

Prepare yeast with 5 cups of warm water, let sit for 10 minutes till bubbly. Meanwhile, mix 5 cups of flour, salt, sugar, and dry powdered milk in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add yeast mixture, oil, and eggs. Mix well with stand or electric mixer. (I only have a regular electric mixer, sigh, and it handles mixing this much flour pretty well.) Begin to add the remainder of the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well with a wooden spoon if you aren't using a stand mixer. (If you are using a Bosch or Kitchen Aid, mix for about 6 minutes on level one.) If mixing by hand, once I add about 10 cups I turn the dough on to a floured surface and knead in the remaining flour. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, I set a timer. (Kneading dough is a great stress reliever, I love it!)

For Cinnamon Rolls:
Divide the dough into 5 portions. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread with about a tablespoon of softened butter. Top with 1/2 cup brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up from the long end and seal dough with fingers. Slice into 12 equal pieces. Place in greased 11x14 pan, cover, and rise for about an hour. (When I make these to give away, I buy the disposable aluminum pans from the dollar store.) Bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:
1 cube butter
8 oz of cream cheese
8 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
milk, 1 tablespoon at a time

Whip butter and cream cheese. Gradually add sugar and milk intermittently until desired consistency. Add vanilla and salt. Whip until fluffy. Frost while rolls are still warm.

For Cinnamon Swirl Bread: (using 8' x 3 3/4 x 2 3/8 sized loaf pans)
Divide the dough into 6 portions. Roll out into rectangle. Spread with about a tablespoon of softened butter. Top with 1/4 cup white sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up from the short end and seal dough with fingers. Place in greased loaf pans and let rise for about an hour. (till doubled) Bake for 25 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

More yummy treats to follow!