Tried and True-sday

It's official.  We're having a third!  I'm about 10 weeks along and so happy to bring another little dude/babe into the world.  In honor of the occasion today's recipe is for all those with a 'bun' in the oven:). . . and for those who just want to take that literally.  Thanks for the great recipe Mic!

(thanks to cookingpanda-dot-com for the picture)

Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

In small cup proof the yeast:
1/2 cup HOT water
2 Tbsp. yeast
1 tsp. sugar
-set aside

In medium sauce pan, bring the following to a boil:
1 cup water
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
-once the mixture has boiled, remove from heat and add:
1 cup water
-cool until luke warm

Place both mixtures (yeast and butter) in KitchenAid or mixer.

Mix and add gradually:
4 eggs-beaten
7 1/2-9 cups flour

Mix everything until dough has elastic texture.  Kneed dough for 2-5 mintues. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.  Remove from bowl, spread out on lightly floured surface.  Kneed slightly and roll out into large rectangle  (dough may need to be divided in two if space is limited)

Spread/sprinkle the following across the open dough:
1-2 cubes butter-melted
cinnamon
brown sugar (don't be too stingy on this)
opt. nuts

Roll dough into a log (or two) and cut into equally sized rolls (floss is the BEST way to cut) Place rolls into greased baking pan leaving room for rolls to nearly double in size.  Cover rolls with a light cloth and let rise about another hour.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Rolls will be medium to dark brown on top- do NOT under bake.

Remove rolls from oven and immediately cover with frosting.  If you wait to cover the rolls with the frosing until they have already cooled, the frosting is not able to seep into the crevasses of the rolls and the rolls will not be as soft.  I usually pour 3/4 of the frosting on the rolls immediately and save the last little bit to put a dab on the top after it's cooled.

Frosting:

(whip with electric mixer)
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
4 Tbsp. butter (softened)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-4 cups powdered sugar
milk (add to desired thickness)