Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

How to make it

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• Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar with the cinnamon and set aside.
• Prepare a 15x10 baking dish: Cover the bottom with 1/2c melted butter and distribute 1/3c sugar evenly. Set aside.
• Put 2 handfuls of raisins in a small sauce pot along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and set aside raisins.
• Coarse or fine grind walnuts, your option, in a food processor then toast them in a medium sauce pot until fragrant. Set aside.
• Proof yeast in 1c 105* water w/ 1t sugar. Should take 3-5 minutes.
• While yest is proofing, whisk eggs in a mixing bowl. Add 2t salt, 2/3c melted butter, 2/3c sugar & 1c warm milk while continuing to whisk.
• Whisk the proofed yeast into the liquid mix.
• In another mixing bowl place 3c flour and the instant potatoes. Pour the liquid mix into the flour mix. Hand mix with a fork or use an electric mixer with the screw attachments. Keep adding flour 1c at a time until a stiff dough is formed.
• Use any left over flour to flour a work surface. Turn out dough and knead for 8 minutes, incorporating the work surface flour into the dough as needed.
• Place the dough in a large greased bowl, turn to coat, cover with a damp towel that is also sprayed with cooking spray to prevent dough from drying out or sticking to the towel, and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
• While the dough is rising make the icing.
• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Fold in 2 cups powdered sugar then 2/3c melted butter then 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat until creamy then add the vanilla and maple extracts.
• Punch down dough and let it rest for 5 minutes.
• Roll out dough onto a floured surface into a 15" x 20" rectangle.
• Brush 1/2c melted butter over the dough and sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture evenly.
• Using a rubber spatula, spread out at least half of the applesauce on the dough.
• Evenly sprinkle the ground nuts on the dough and then sprinkle on the raisins.
• Tightly roll up the dough by the short end to make a 15" log and pinch the edges together to seal.
• Cut the roll into 12 pieces using some tooth floss or a string.
• Place the cinnamon roll slices close together in the prepared baking dish, cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350* and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. If using a convectionaire reduce the temp by 25*
• Spread icing over slightly cooled rolls.