Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees (makes 2, make ahead)

CINNAMON ROLL CHRISTMAS TREES
"Make one tree for yourself and give the second one as a gift."



4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
1/3 cup sugar
2 envelopes Fleischmann's RapidRise Yeast
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup butter OR margarine, divided use
2 eggs
Cinnamon Filling (recipe follows)
Vanilla Icing (recipe follows)
Colored icings, sprinkles or candies (optional, for decorating)

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in large mixer bowl.

Heat milk, 1/2 cup water and 1/3 cup butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F); butter does not need to melt. Add to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.

Stir in remaining 3 cups flour to make stiff batter; grease top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or up to 2 days.

WHEN READY TO SHAPE AND BAKE:
Remove dough from refrigerator and punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Set aside 1 half. Roll remaining dough to 16x10-inch rectangle.

Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter; brush 2 tablespoons over dough. Sprinkle evenly with half of cinnamon filling. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll; pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut roll into 16 equal pieces. On lower third of large greased baking sheet, arrange 5 rolls, cut sides up, in a row with edges touching. Form tree shape with additional rows of rolls - 4 rolls in second row, 3 rolls in third row, 2 rolls in fourth row, and 1 for top of tree. Place remaining roll at bottom center of tree to make trunk. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling.

Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until done, switching positions of sheets halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; let cool on wire racks.

Drizzle with Vanilla icing. Decorate "trees" with colored icings, sprinkles or candies if desired.

CINNAMON FILLING

2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons Spice Islands Ground Saigon Cinnamon
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir well.

VANILLA ICING

2 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon Spice Islands Pure Vanilla Extract
Decorations such as colored icings, sprinkles or candies

Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.

TO MAKE AHEAD:
These are easy to make ahead. You have two choices: you can make the dough and chill up to 2 days, then shape, let rise and bake, as described in the recipe, OR you can make the dough, chill for 2 hours, then shape, cover with plastic wrap that is sprayed with nonstick spray and chill for up to 2 days. Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Pick the option that works best for you, but don't chill longer than 2 days total.

Makes 2 trees
Source: Fleischmann's Yeast, ACH Food Companies, Inc.