When my kids grow up and leave the nest I want them to think of home when they smell fresh warm bread. The problem is, bread usually takes a lot of time, at least that's what I always thought, so I steered clear from making bread for a long time, until I met my dear friend the bread maker. Now don't give me a big long sigh and eye roll. I know what you are thinking... 'Yeah it smells good, but it's crusty and odd shaped and the inside is really the only good part.' I know, I know! I feel the same way. That's why I only use my bread maker to make my dough. Yes, it has a dough-only setting. You throw all your ingredients in there, hit start and 1 1/2 hours later you are ready to shape your dough into rolls, bread or whatever your heart desires. It's A-MAZ-ING! Seriously! If I could only bring one item on an island it would be my bread maker. Okay, that's weird. But seriously, I love it! So today I thought I would share my favorite, super easy cinnamon roll recipe. It literally will take 15 min of hands-on time. That's it! C'mon, we all have 15 min, right?!
So grab these ingredients and throw them all in the bread maker in the following order.
- 1/2 cup warm water & 1/2 cup warm milk (I microwave these together for 30 seconds)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup butter, softened (I put a little in each corner)
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast
Now go read a book or take a nap for 1 1/2 hours. When it beeps it should be all nice and puffy. So pull it out of your bread maker and roll out your dough. I love this mat. It keeps things from sticking to my counters and makes clean up super easy.
Now that you've rolled it out, pour about 1/3 cup of butter over it. Don't get stingy here. The more the better. :) Then of course add sugar and cinnamon.
1/2 – 3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Sometimes I get lazy and just add one at a time. Just make sure it's covered real good.
Then roll up your dough like a "snake" as my kids call it and slice it into little rolls and place on a greased cookie sheet.
I cover mine with a loose layer of saran wrap and put it in front of the fire place or in a warm sunny spot in my house. Either way works and it usually doubles in size in about an hour. Again, go take a nap or read a book. This is exhausting, right! :) At least that's what you should tell everyone.
Once it's doubled in size throw it in the oven for about 12 min at 350. While it's cooking you can make a quick icing with powdered sugar a few drops of milk. When they come out of the oven, just drizzle it on top and you are done! Amazing homemade cinnamon rolls with hardly any effort.
If you don't have the things to make this recipe, then I've listed some of my favorites below. Just hurry quick, so you can make the yummiest cinnamon rolls for brunch on Easter Sunday. :)
Things I use:
Call me wind because I am abutlsoely blown away.