A Christmas Breakfast + Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Christmas is such a magical time of year because of all the hanging out and eating you get to do. I love having my friends/ family over anytime but especially around Christmas. I mean you put all this effort into decorating your house, you need to share it with someone. As a twenty- something, I'm not generally in charge of the main festivities with the whole family so it's nice to throw a little something together and celebrate. 

The menu was relatively simple, soft boiled eggs with toast soldiers, fresh handmade sausage from the local butcher, fresh fruit, and homemade cinnamon rolls. I had never made cinnamon rolls before. Surprisingly,  they're very easy to pull off. I found a recipe here (great blog) but I had to adapt it because it's a vegan recipe and I don't keep almond milk and margarine on hand. So here is my version, using cow's milk and butter :) Seriously, give it a try. 

For the Cinnamon Rolls:
makes 12 rolls

Ingredients: 

• 1 packet instant yeast 
• 1 cup whole milk 
• 1/2 cup butter 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tbsp, divided 

For the glaze: 

• 2 cups powdered sugar 
• 1/2 cup cream or milk 

Directions: 

1. In a medium saucepan, warm the milk and butter until it barely begins to bubble ( not boiling). Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. 

2. Add the milk to a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast, sugar and salt over the top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes while the yeast activates. 

3. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour in 1/2 cup at a time. Mix until the dough is sticky and then turn it out onto a floured surface. 

4. Knead dough until it's in a nice smooth ball. 

5. Place the dough in a large, greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place it somewhere warm to rise for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

6. Once the dough has risen, place it on the counter and roll it out into a large rectangle. Brush on the melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Roll the dough into a tight roll. 

7. Using a serrated knife, slice 12 rolls out of the log. Place them in a greased 9" pie plate and then pour more butter on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees until lightly golden. 

8. Mix the milk and powdered sugar together and pour that glaze over the top of the freshly baked rolls. Serve to your friends, and die over how delicious they are.

Recipe: Megan Forbes

Photos: Christina Hussey