I have blogged about cinnamon pull apart rolls before. This is more of a bun…..made in a muffin tin. You don’t have to do it that way. You can roll up the dough and slice into rolls if you like. But I just felt like doing something different.  Using all purpose flour will give you more of a bready type bun. Bread flour will give you more of a chewy texture, which I prefer. Now, be adventurous and get a little crazy with these! Have some fun! You can add nuts, raisins, cranberries, any fruit jam…I mean, the possibilities are endless.

So, get off your buns and let’s make buns!

Cinnamon Buns

1  pkg of rapid rise yeast (1/4 oz)
1 cup warm milk (not HOT…you will kill your yeast and that’s not nice)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup softened butter
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups bread flour (you can use all purpose if you prefer)

In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer, pour the packet of yeast into the warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Add the sugar, eggs, soft butter, salt and flour. With a paddle attachment, mix  on medium low, until it all comes together. Switch to a dough hook and let it whirl around for 5 minutes. Or, if you like kneading with your hands, like I do, knead for 5 minutes. Shape into a ball and place it in a large buttered bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let it sit until it doubles in size. That will take about an hour. Once doubled in size, remove the dough, and place it on a floured surface. Roll the dough into a 15 x 24 inch rectangle. Now for the filling. (below)

Filling

1/3 cup very soft  butter
2  tablespoon cinnamon mixed together with 1 cup of brown sugar

Preheat oven to 370. Gently smear the dough surface with 1/3 cup butter. Cover with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Starting with the long edge, roll it up to the opposite edge. Your roll should measure to approx. 24 inches long. Cut into 12 slices. Place slices on lightly greased baking sheet, or into a muffin tin. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit out for 15 minutes. Drizzle with icing.

Icing

1  1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons of butter (softened)
1  tablespoon of water or orange juice   (add enough liquid to get the consistency you want)

Mix everything together and spread onto warm rolls.