This is the real deal, as close to Cinnabon as you can make at home. As a die hard fan of Cinnabon I was very impressed with this recipe! Here is where it comes from: http://www.laurenslatest.com/my-cinnabon-cinnamon-rolls/
The one addition I made to the recipe was the way I cut my rolls. After scoring the rolled log every two inches to get the same sized rolls I used unflavored dental floss to cut them. Here's how: Slide the dental floss under the log and pull it down the log to the first scoring mark on top. Bring the two ends of the floss up and cross them over the top. Quickly pull the two ends and it will slice very cleanly and easily through the log giving you perfectly cut rolls without compromising the layers or smashing the dough. That's it!
Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
for the dough-
3/4 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast {use the fast acting kind!}
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 egg
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 1/2-5 cups all purpose unbleached flour
for the filling-
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
for the frosting-
2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup softened margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Making the Dough- In the bowl of a stand
mixer fitted with a dough hook, pour in water, yeast and 1 tablespoon of
the granulated sugar. Stir and proof 5 minutes. Once mixture looks
bubbly and frothy, pour in remaining sugar and salt. Stir on low for
15-20 seconds. In a small bowl, measure buttermilk, oil and egg. Whisk
ingredients together until egg is incorporated to other two ingredients.
Pour contents into the water and yeast mixture. Stir another 20 seconds
in the mixer. Pour 2 cups of flour into mixer and stir on low until
incorporated. Sprinkle flour in by 1/4 cup increments until dough cleans
the sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough should be sticky but not sticky
enough to stick to your hands when touched. Once it has reached this
stage, turn mixer on and knead for 5 minutes. Remove dough from bowl,
grease and replace back into same mixing bowl {since it's practically
clean anyway.} Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel. Rise 1-2 hours
or until dough has doubled in size.
Filling and Cutting Rolls- In a medium size bowl, stir brown sugar,
cinnamon and cornstarch together until combined. Set aside. Roll dough out to be a 20x30 rectangle {or as close to
that as possible} while moving dough around to ensure it's not sticking
to your work surface. Spread softened butter over dough, being sure
to go right to the edges leaving a 1-inch strip untouched on one of the
longer sides of dough. Dump brown sugar mixture onto the middle of the
dough and spread with your hands, creating an even layer over top of the
margarine, still leaving that 1-inch strip of dough untouched.. Lightly press the sugar mixture into the butter
using a rolling pin. Roll the dough up into a tight log, finishing with
the plain dough on the bottom to seal the entire thing together. Cut off
the uneven ends to even out the log. Score log every 2 inches and then
slice your rolls using those marks. Place into parchment paper lined, or greased pans. 12 into a 9x13, 3 remaining into a loaf pan, or
8x8 with the small ends. Cover pans with plastic wrap and dish towels.
Let rolls rise another 1-2 hours or until they are touching and have
risen almost double. My rolls always spread out more than up, so just be
aware that they will most likely spread out more than up. Bake in a
preheated 350 degree for 17 minutes, or until tops start to brown. Watch them carefully!!
For the Frosting- While the rolls are baking, whip cream cheese and butter together. Stir in vanilla, corn syrup and lemon juice. Scrape
sides and mix again. Pour in powdered sugar and stir slowly until it
starts to incorporate. Then mix on high for 5 minutes or until frosting
starts to lighten in color. Scrape sides and mix again briefly.
I use Kraft caramels and follow the package directions for dipping the apples. After the caramel sets I love to drizzle melted white and milk chocolate all over the caramel. The toppings are fun too! Mini m-n-m's, or crushed graham crackers, or toffee bits, or chopped pecans are some of my family's favorites.
