Cinnamon Buns

I am so lucky to have siblings that love to cook and bake and are good at it. My oldest sister Lenna has been vacationing with us while we were in Denia Spain. She is a fantastic baker and makes the most amazing cinnamon buns. She let me have her recipe  and I would like to share it with you. The picture is one half recipe pre baked buns.

In a blender or a mixer whip till fluffy

5 eggs

1 cup sugar

Gradually add in the 

1 cup vegetable oil and continue to whip till thick.

In the meantime  proof you yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp yeast

Measure the following dry ingredients

1 package of instant vanilla pudding

1 1/2 tsp salt

6 cups of all purpose flour

Add to the egg mixture along with the yeast

the measured dry ingredients along and

 2 cups of warm water

This is best done in a mixer with a dough hook but can be done by hand. 

Once the ingredients appear to be incorporated add

2 Tbsp baking powder. 

Continue to mix/knead till soft playable dough is achieved. You may need to add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky. Note that this is similar to a Brioche dough and is fairly soft.

Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough in it covering with a tea towel and set aside till doubled in volume.

Knead it down and let it rest for 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.

Filling 

1 pound of butter at room temperature

4 cups brown sugar

1/4 -1/2 cup ground cinnamon

You can make the filling in two way, one by just spreading the butter over the rolled out dough then sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon. The other method is to whip the butter, sugar and cinnamon and spread.

Preheat over to 400 F but when you put the buns in the oven turn it down to 350F 

divide the dough into two and roll out each to approximately the thickness of your baby finger, top with filling and roll. you should be able to cut the roll into 12-18 segments depending on how big you want the buns to be. (12 would be similar to Cinnabon size)

Place on a parchment lined rectangular pan with 1 1/2- 2 inch side. You can butter the paper if you want. Cover with tea towel and let rest till double in size then bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes till buns are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

You can make a cream cheese icing to accompany the buns if you like.

Enjoy!