Thursday, March 3, 2011

PDG Cinnamon Rolls





PDG Cinnamon Rolls...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Susan Loomis, Cook's Illustrated and Cinnamon Roll Recipes

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Here, as promised, is my version of the cinnamon rolls that I spoke about last week. I'm immediately put off by anything that purports to be the best of kind, so I've decided to use an acronym to describe them and will leave the translation and ultimate grading to you. There is nothing original here. The rolls are cobbled together from various recipes and only slight changes have been made to the source from which the elements were stripped. The dough used to make the rolls is the creation of Susan Loomis. The spice mixture that fills them comes from Cook's Illustrated and the icing that crowns them is a clone of the one that's drizzled over Cinnabons. The rolls are meant to be a study in wretched excess, and if you make and sample them, I think you'll agree I've met my goal. The rolls take time to make but only because they rise so slowly. They are actually quite easy to assemble. I make the rolls the night before I plan to serve them and then rewarm and ice them just before they are put on the table. You'll notice I've shaped the rolls in two ways. One, of course, is the standard shape usually associated with the rolls. The other is a flattened form that resembles a baker's sweet roll or Danish. The flattened version is identical to the bun save for its shape and the time it takes to bake. The rolls stay fresh for up to two days if they are well-wrapped. They, of course, taste better when warm and just iced. Leftover rolls will be almost as good as new, if reheated in a microwave for about 15 seconds before serving. The rolls are perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch. Here's the composite of recipes used to make them.

Ingredients:
Dough
1 cup whole milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2-1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon table salt
Filling
1/3 cup softened unsalted butter
1/3 cup golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
Icing
4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk

Directions:
1) To make dough: Scald milk over medium-high heat. Pour it into large bowl of an electric mixer. Add butter and stir until butter has melted. Set aside until mixture is lukewarm. Stir yeast and sugar into milk. Add 1 cup flour and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add salt and 1 more cup of flour. Mix vigorously until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes on medium speed. Add reserved 2-1/2 cups flour and mix just until incorporated. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Continue kneading by hand until it is smooth. Place dough in a bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and set aside until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
2) To make filling: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
3) To assemble rolls: Grease a 13 X 9-inch baking pan. Turn dough onto a well-floured surface. Roll dough with a rolling pin into an evenly shaped 12 x 16-inch rectangle. Brush dough liberally with softened butter. Sprinkle with an even layer of cinnamon sugar, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one of the long sides. Sprinkle with toasted pecans. Roll, beginning with long side of rectangle. Use finger tips to pinch dough as you roll, sealing edges firmly to form a seam. Cut into 12 pieces using a serrated knife or dental floss and arrange in pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double in size, about 4 hours. 8) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 9) Bake rolls in center of oven until they are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Invert rolls onto a wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
4) To make icing: Mix all ingredients until smooth, adding more milk as required for drizzling.
5) To ice: Reinvert rolls and place rack over parchment or wax paper to catch drips. Drizzle icing over rolls with spoon. Cut or pull apart to separate. Serve warm. Yield: 12 rolls.

Cook's Note: To make thinner rolls proceed as above, but press sliced rolls into disc shapes and place on 2 lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes - The Recipe Girl
Bon Ton Bakery Cinnamon Bread - Eat Me Delicious
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls - Jane Deere
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing - Never Enough Thyme
Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Icing - The Royal Cook
Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls - Cooking with Libby
Cocoa Cinnamon Swirl Rolls - Sweet Sensations
Cinnamon Rolls - The Saucy Kitchen
Lighter Everyday Cinnamon Rolls - Baking Bites
Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls - The Sweet's Life
Alton Brown's Overnight Cinnamon Rolls - The Culinary Chronicles
Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Cake - The Bake-Off Flunkie
Maple Glazed Cinnamon Buns - Pennies On A Platter
Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls - Sweet Sensations
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake - Plain Chicken
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls - The Domestic Mama and the Village Cook
Brioche Cinnamon Rolls - Sweetest Kitchen

88 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

I'm actually salivating!

Red Nomad OZ said...

AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!! I'm having bakery withdrawal symptoms!!!

Have a great day!!

Sushma Mallya said...

wow that looks fantastic:)..loved the icing on the roll..

Jeannie said...

Time I start baking too, been getting lazy after all the frenzy bakings of a couple of months ago... this looks like a perfect meal for breakfast and office lunch! yum!

justjoycee said...

Delicious!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Yum! And I just happen to have another package of yeast to try this recipe!

Elin said...

Mary...this is so delicious with the cream cheese icing on top. I can imagine the taste. Hot cinnamon rolls with cream cheese topping....and with a cup of hot coffee...YUMMY !

Have a great da :)
Elin

muppy said...

I love cinnamon rolls, you are making me hungry! They look really good.

Katerina said...

Only recently have I discovered cinnamon rolls and I loved them ever since. I am keeping this to try it.

Diane said...

If these taste as good as they look Mmmmmmm. Dciane

Lucie said...

I was excitedly waiting for this recipe--it looks magnificent!!! It seems great for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.

Su m said...

These are a truly temptation :)

Fabi said...

How mouthwatering! I wish I could bake them right now! Thank you for this recipe, it's very original and sounds terribly yummy! Big hug, Mary.

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Hi Mary,
Love today post...
I've been dying to try cinnamon rolls, but don't know why i haven't donne them yet...Yours put me salivating and now i'm already ansius to make them...

Have a great day,

Rita

Martha said...

Nothing like a good cinnamon roll. These look yummy and I've made them only once in my life.

CaThY said...

Awesome cinnamon rolls~ :)

Priya Suresh said...

Irresistible rolls!

Tanna said...

I know for a fact that the dough part is outstanding! I will look forward to the day I try out the filling and icing to go with this delicous dough! Thank you, Mary. Blessings ~ Tanna

Tanna said...

PS I love that they are a "study in wretched excess"! I know they will be PDG!!

Barbara said...

Oh dear. My downfall, next to ice cream, that is.
What divine rolls, Mary. I've already copied the recipe!

Bichinha said...

I love cinnamon rolls, i coul eat them every single day, and your look delicious.

From the Kitchen said...

I've been waiting, coffee in hand, for this recipe. I'll be giving it a few trial runs before a holiday--just to be sure if you know what I mean!!

Best,
Bonnie

Kim said...

I was so trilled to se the result... These cinnamon rolls tempt me a lot! I thonk I will give these a try this week-end!

Unknown said...

I've got to find time this weekend to make these!!! They do sound easy...I just need to have patience, that shouldn't be TOO hard!! Thanks for sharing, these look so incredibly good!!!

Clint said...

That is an incredibly gorgeous work of art. Too pretty to eat... almost. Ha.

My Little Space said...

Yes, Mary, this is just the way I wanted it. I've tried the bread roll the other day, it was so delicious and going to use it for this cinnabun. Yummm.... Thanks for sharing. Hope you & Bob enjoying the day.

Big Dude said...

Mary - they look RDG to me.

Lorraine said...

These look great! I love cinnamon rolls and have been looking for a good recipe. These sound perfect and look delicious:)

Suman Singh said...

Cinnamon roll looks wonderful and delicious..loved the icing on top...super yummy!

Tasha said...

Just this past weekend, I had an uncharacteristic severe craving for cinnamon rolls. It made me realize that I've never attempted to make them. I will hang on to this recipe for the next time the urge strikes!

Haden News said...

Mary can't wait to try your PDG Cinnamon Rolls!!! They sound amazing.

Lizaboo said...

Mmmmmmmm another recipe i must make! These look soo yummy wish i could be devouring them now! xx :o)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I do love a sticky, hooey cream cheesed topped cinnamon roll Mary!!! I have never tried to duplicate them at home since my favourites are a short drive away when I feel the need.

Emily Malloy said...

Oh boy. I would have much rather eaten this for breakfast!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

I can almost smell the cinnamon!
Thanks for the recipe and all ther other links for cinnamon rolls!
YUMMY!
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Oh Mary, I wonder how many other readers became weak in the knees when looking upon the picture of those cinnamon rolls. Mercy!

Chele said...

I reckon I've put on an inch on each hip just looking at those photos. Oh how I want one right now ;0)

Umm Mymoonah said...

Me and my husband we love these rolls, looks absolutely delicious. I love the icing which you have given. Perfectly made with a perfect looking picture.

Rita said...

These look amazing; I really want to try this when I get back home; my darling grand daughter would be in heaven; she Loves cinnamon rolls. thank you for sharing this one.\
Rita

Harika baratam said...

Yummy and tepting rolls perfect look as we see in stores.

June said...

I've SO been waiting for these! Thanks Mary.

Gloria Baker said...

These are really delicious dear Marie, I love them, look amazing, gloria

Soumya Vineeth said...

Ohh me! this one is seriously a perfect bite!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Ah, a Cinnamon Roll "mash up" as they say! I like the acronym!

That Girl said...

Cinnamon rolls are my weakness. I never make them myself because I don't know that I could stop before eating a full meal.

Brandie said...

Oh Yay - the cinnamon roll recipe. So excited to try this!
I am completely with you on "the best of" phrase as well. I get nervous when I hear that as well because one person's "best" may not be another. Sounds amazing!

pigpigscorner said...

*drools* I want that for breakfast too!

Joanne said...

Oh I am SO happy you posted these! I've yet to attempt cinnamon rolls and with a PDG rating, these might just have to be the ones I go with. Excess and all.

Sarah @ Taste My Plate said...

Omg, yum!!!! When's tea time?
Btw, thanks for stopping by www.tastemyplate.com. I really appreciate your comment :)

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Oh goodness Mary that is amazing looking. I don't even want to think of taste, because I'm not sure I could stop! YUMMY as always you keep my baking juices going :)

Anonymous said...

Pretty Darn Good! I made cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning last year, they are such a great treat on cold winter mornings!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, boy, I love the CI cinnamon roll dough, but wasn't crazy about their icing. I love your solution, Mary!

Eliana said...

I haven't seen a cinnamon roll look this great in ages! I have never made a batch but you have just inspired me to give them a try. I can only hope they turn out as great as yours.

Beth said...

These look just wonderful. You post the most amazing recipes!

Nina Timm said...

I had to keep myself from licking that cream cheese topping off my screen. Looks scrumptious Mary!

Natasha cooks cakes and bakes said...

These look delicious. I've got some serious craving for these now, I love cinnamon.
Looking forward to some more of your posts :)
Natasha.

Caroline Taylor said...

OK Mary I've had enough of looking at your pictures and dribbling. Can you please move in with me and make me beautiful cakes all day? These cinnamon rolls are pretty much my favourite thing on the planet. Thank you for your brilliant recipe.

cookies and cups said...

I have always wanted to make my own cinnamon rolls, but have a certain fear of yeast!
I'm thinking I need to get over that!!

PeggyR said...

Those sound very good.

(Lady Gourmet) Catherine said...

Dear Mary, These cinnamon rolls are calling me! I love cinnamon rolls! Oh a cinnamon roll and a cup of good coffee and who could ask for anything more! Blessings, Catherine

tasteofbeirut said...

These cinnamon goodies are just irresistible!

Katie @ This Chick Cooks said...

Yum! These sound delicious! I wish I had one now :)

Maria said...

Great recipe, we have a similar dish in Finland which is a favourite for everyone. Delicious!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

pretty darn good looking... Mary you have such an impressive body of work

Becky said...

Those look yummy, Mary. I will try these out when I get back home.

Sue said...

Fresh homemade cinnamon rolls are such a treat on weekend mornings. With cream cheese frosting I'm sure they are the ultimate, not just PDG. My grandchildren would love these!

teresa said...

oh how good do those look! delicious!!

Sandra said...

I can see that this is done with love because it looks so perfect! What a stunning photo and I love the recipe too!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Gorgeous Mary--these look perfectly plump, soft and delicious. I'm drooling on my keyboard. ;-)

Lindsay said...

Pretty darn good? They certainly look delicious!

Ryan said...

You had me at "a study in wretched excess!" That's my kind of cinnamon roll!! I have never found a recipe for them that was just right but I think I have now. Must try this!

A little bit of everything said...

oh my, every time I visit your blog i read about another delicious baked goodies. the rolls look amazing. thanks for sharing.

Elaine said...

These look fantastic. I really like the square shape.

penny aka jeroxie said...

Looks fantastic! And the icing is so good.

La Bella Cooks said...

While I do enjoy a bit of the oozing icing, it is the doughy, cinnamony goodness I love the most. These have me craving a bite...or three.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I'm in trouble now - just looking at these goodies! Wish I could have one right now.

MaryMoh said...

This would make a great breakfast item...mmmm. Love the creamy frosting on top. I can just imagine biting into it.....mmmm...beautiful flavour and taste. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Emma said...

I have a real thing about cinnamon rolls, every winter I buy them regularly.

Yours look so plump and sweet, yum! Sadly I've never made any, I'll have to remedy that.

Claudia said...

Oh Mary - perfect rolls and grand detailed instructions to make sure they come out beautifully each time.

lena said...

i noticed that you also added some pecan nut into them, that would be nice too! the square ones look pretty cute!

Lauren Hairston said...

I've actually never made cream cheese icing for cinnamon rolls--sounds amazing and I bet my husband would just flip!

Laural (bhealthier) said...

ahh, delicious! they look just perfect! have a great weekend

Sue said...

They sure do look Pretty Darn Good! :)

scrambledhenfruit said...

These do look pdg! I love cinnamon rolls. :)

Monet said...

I've been waiting for this recipe all week. You don't disappoint! I want to make those rolls right now. Thanks for sharing with me tonight. Enjoy your weekend...take time to rest, laugh and eat some great food!

Katarina said...

Hi Mary! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words! I just love cinnamon rolls! I will know continue to browse through your blog :) Have a nice weekend, hugs!

Jennifer (Delicieux) said...

Your cinnamon rolls look fantastic. I've never tried making these at home, but you are inspiring me! They really look delicious and I love the smell of cinnamon.

Kitty Deschanel said...

I'm here with terrible news! My browser went haywire and deleted all of my bookmarks, including all the wonderful recipes I've found here! Yep, I'm going to have to look through your entire blog again.
Okay, maybe it's not so terrible :)

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