the best part of waking up...

...besides the folgers in your cup would be one of these beauties!

of the recipes i've tried for cinnamon rolls, i like this one best (so far) because it doesn't call for an artery-clogging amount of butter that makes me just want to immediately run to the treadmill. the dough is remarkably easy to work with and really allows the brown sugar and cinnamon to sing. and it does taste just like the cinnamon rolls from cinnabon!

instead of waking up at some gawd-awful hour, i made the dough at night and stuck them in the freezer right before the second rising. just defrost at room temperature for about 15 minutes while the oven is preheating and add a few minutes to the baking time.

now THIS is the way to start a morning...=)

cinnamon rolls
adapted from allrecipes

1 cup warm milk, about 110 degrees F
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast / active dry yeast
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
4 1/2 cups white flour

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

3-4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
a pinch of salt

1. dissolve the yeast in the milk in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. in a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter and sugar. add the egg mixture to the milk in the bowl and stir to combine. whisk together the flour and salt in a separate large bowl.
2. gradually add the flour mixture to the milk mixture, kneading with the dough hook as you add. continue to knead (either with the dough hook or by hand) until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth.
3. proof the dough for 1 hour in a warm place covered with a moist towel.
4. roll the dough into a 16" x 21" rectangle on a lightly floured surface. spread the softened butter over the dough and sprinkle with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. roll up the dough and pinch to close the ends.
5. cut into 12 pieces and place rolls in a lightly greased baking pan. cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
6. preheat oven to 400 degrees.
7. bake rolls until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
8. beat together the cream cheese, butter, confectioner's sugar, vanilla and salt to make frosting.
9. spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.