Heavenly Cinnamon Buns
Serves : 12 - 15
Prep. Time : 4:00

DOUGH:
1 cup warm water - 105-115 degrees
2 packets active dry yeast
1 tsp. granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons all-purpose or unbleached flour

1 cup milk - warmed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup butter - melted
2 tsp. salt
2 eggs - slightly beaten
8 cups all-purpose or unbleached flour

FILLING:
1/2 cup butter - melted
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts - optional

GLAZE:
2/3 cup melted butter
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 Tablespoons hot water

-In a small bowl, mix together warm water, yeast, and teaspoon of sugar and 2 tbsp. flour and set aside until bubbly.
-In a large bowl, mix milk, 2/3 cup sugar, melted butter, salt and eggs; stir well and add to yeast mixture.
-Add half the flour and beat until smooth.
-Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough is slightly stiff (dough will be sticky).
-Turn out onto a well-floured board; knead 5-10 minutes.
-Place in well-buttered glass or plastic bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
-When doubled, punch down dough and let rest 5 minutes.
-Roll out on floured surface into a 15" X 20" rectangle.

-Spread dough with 1/2 cup melted butter.
-Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over buttered dough.
-Sprinkle with walnuts, if desired.
-Roll up jellyroll-fashion and pinch edge together to seal.
-Cut into 12 to 15 slices.

-Grease bottom of a 13" X 9" baking pan AND an 8" square pan. Or use parchment paper that has been greased.
-Place cinnamon roll slices close together in pans.
-Let rise in warm place until dough is doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes
.
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until rolls are nicely browned.
-Cool rolls slightly.

-Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla; add hot water 1 Tbsp. at a time until glaze reaches desired spreading consistency.

-Spread over slightly cooled rolls.