Cinnamon Rolls

(I got this recipe from my Mother in law)

Basic Roll Dough

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water

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• 1 cup milk, scalded
• 1/4 up sugar
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 egg

Soften yeast in warm water (110 degrees). Combine milk, sugar, shortening, and salt; cool to lukewarm. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour; beat well. Beat in yeast & egg. Gradually add remaining flour to form soft dough, beating well. Place in greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise till doubled (1 1/2 to 2 hours). Turn onto lightly floured surface & shape as desired. Cover & let shaped rolls raise until doubled (30 to 45 minutes). Bake on greased baking sheet or in greased muffin pans in hot oven (400 degrees) for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cloverleafs, or 1 dozen parker house rolls.

Cinnamon Roll Filling (I double the filling)

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Raisins (optional)

I add all of these ingredients, and then spread it over the dough.

Yvonne's special instructions: I put 1/4 cup hot water into a measuring cup (I run it hot from the tap. If your water is really hot, don't let it get too hot.) Then I pour in the yeast, a shake of salt & a touch of sugar then slightly stir with a toothpick (I do this to feed the yeast, & it grows better). Now your yeast is starting to activate. Pour your milk in a saucepan, and turn to high for just a few minutes. When little bubbles form around the sides, it's scalded. Don't let it go too long, or it burns. It just needs to be pretty warm. While it heats, I add the sugar, salt, & shortening into the bowl. Then pour in the milk, add 2 cups of flour, and stir well. Then I crack the egg, beat it with a fork, add it to the bowl, then add the yeast last. It should be pretty frothy now. Stir vigorously for a few minutes. This begins the glutton process, and then add a little flour and stir, until you add flour and Knead with your hands. I put a little shortening on my hands to keep them from getting too sticky. Keep kneading until dough is smooth & bounces back when pushed down. Spray pam, or spread shortening around bowl & some on top of dough. Put a dish towel over the top of the bowl & let rise. After the first rising, roll the dough onto a floured surface to make a rectangle. If you keep the dough thicker (like a half inch, and cut the slices bigger, it will make better rolls.) After dough is rolled out spread the cinnamon & sugar mixture over the top, roll the dough the long way (the short sides will be at the top & bottom. Then cut in about 1 1/2" slices. Place them on a greased cookie sheet to rise the second time - don't cover. I place them close together, and they rise up high and have soft edges. (Only about 1/2 inch between each slice). Now bake as directed. As soon as they are finished, turn out onto a board, wash the pan (I use oven mits), dry the pan, and return the rolls back into the pan. This keeps them from sticking to the pan.

Cinnamon Roll Glaze

• 4 Tablespoons Powdered sugar
• Shortening
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Imitation almond extract

I pour the powdered sugar into a bowl, add a few tablespoons of shortening, and little milk, along with vanilla & almond flavoring. Stir with a spoon vigorously to break up the shortening. If it is too dry & thick add a little milk, if it is too runny, add a little powdered sugar. After I've placed the rolls back into the cookie sheet, and they've cooled, I pour the glaze over the top.

Credits: All pictures taken by Me!