Cinnamon Buns From Heaven

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
• 2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk, heated to lukewarm
• 10 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 7 -8 cups all-purpose flour (or more)
• 16 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 10 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4-1/2 cup hot water

Recipe

• 1 to make the dough, combine water, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar in a cup and set aside. in a large bowl, combine the milk, remaining 2/3 cup sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. stir well and add the yeast mixture. add 3 1/2 cups flour and beat until smooth. stir in enough of the remaining flour until the dough is slightly stiff -- it will be sticky.
• 2 turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes, adding just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. place in a well-buttered bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place free from drafts until doubled in volume, 1- 1/4 hours. punch down and let rest for 5 minute roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 15x20-inch rectangle.
• 3 to make the filling, spread half of the melted butter on the dough. in a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and cinnamon. sprinkle over the dough, then sprinkle with walnuts and raisins if using. roll up like a jelly roll and pinch the edges together to seal. cut the roll into 12 or 18 slices.
• 4 if making 12 buns, use the remaining butter to coat the bottoms of a 9x13-inch baking pan and an 8-inch baking pan. if making 18 buns, use 2 9x13-inch pans. sprinkle the pans with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. place the cinnamon bun slices close together in the pans. cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• 5 bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the buns are nicely browned. let cool slightly before glazing.
• 6 to make the glaze, combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. add the water 1 t at a time until you have a spreadable glaze. spread over buns and serve.