SANDRA'S EPIC ALASKA CINNAMON ROLLS

A family favorite dessert that 's divine to  partake

any time of day...

Yields: 12 Rolls

Prep: 30 min. + rising

Bake: Appx. 35 mins.

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH:

--Proof:

2-1/2 teaspoons rapid rise yeast

1 cup warm 2% milk

1 tablespoon fireweed and clover honey

--Additional dough ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon table salt

4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 TB water, if needed

FILLING:

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar (or light)
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (depending upon your preference)

1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

--3/4 cup raisins and/or chopped pecans (optional)

FROSTING:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon table salt

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 TB milk, if needed

METHOD

Add yeast and 1 tablespoon honey in warm milk in the stand mixing bowl with the hook attachment; mix to combine and let set 5 minutes to proof.

To the stand mixer with the yeast mixture, add the sugar, butter, beaten eggs, flour and salt; beat on low speed until dough is combined and wrapping around hook; adding 1 TB of water, if needed. Turn speed to medium to knead dough in stand mixture for 8 minutes.

Place in a greased medium glass bowl, turning once to grease the top of dough. Cover with plastic wrap (underside sprayed) and let rise in a no-draft warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1-/12 hours. (I do so in my oven, no heat.)

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface into an 21" x 16 rectangle. Spread softened butter in an even layer, retaining 1� on top long edge for sealing roll. Next, sprinkle brown sugar, granulated sugar, and raisins; each to within 1� of top edge. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. (Dough should shrink into a 13" long log when rolling up.) Cut into 12 equal slices; place rolls in a sprayed glass 13x9" baking dish, cut side down and seams facing in. Cover with plastic wrap (underside sprayed), and let rise in a warm place just until doubled, about 40 mins to 1 hour. (Do not over-rise or roll centers will begin to pop up, as they will rise a bit more during baking.)

Meanwhile, prepare frosting, using a hand mixer and a medium bowl; beat butter, cream cheese, vanilla and salt until blended; gradually beat in the sifted confectioners� sugar until smooth, cover; set aside.

When rolls in baking dish have risen. Preheat oven to 400F.

Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes, turning half way. Reduce heat to 300F and finish baking for 20 minutes until golden brown.

While hot, spread all the frosting evenly over roll tops. Finish cooling completely, uncovered in baking dish on a wire rack, until frosting has fully set. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:

To quickly reheat, simply place a roll on a serving saucer and place in microwave on high for 20 seconds.