Life is funny I got up this morning and made me Cinnamon Roll and a glass of Milk for breakfast. I didn’t even think about it being National Cinnamon Roll Day. If David had been here or Charlie would have gotten up we could have gone and gotten Cinnamon Rolls for dinner but that wasn’t the LORDS will and that is okay.

Even though it is the perfect excuse to enjoy something sweet, where we make memories in the kitchen, and maybe even try a new recipe. Around our house, cinnamon rolls have always been more than just breakfast. They bring back memories of my mom, high school, family dinners, and, of course, the cinnamon rolls David and Charlie enjoy.

When I was growing up, my mom and I loved Mrs. Baird’s cinnamon rolls that came in a tin tray. We would warm them up in the oven right in that tray. I know some people might question whether that was the best way to heat them, but it never killed us! Although I can just hear David asking if we were supposed to be doing that.

I sure wish I could still find those cinnamon rolls. They were a favorite of ours, and sometimes the things we remember most are the simple treats we enjoyed with the people we love. I have a question for you. Do you know where I can Cinnamon Rolls that are Slap-Your-Mama Good!

When I was in high school, I remember having cinnamon rolls that were so good you could say they were slap-your-mama good! Even now, I can still remember how delicious they were. David has been talking about those cinnamon rolls lately, too.

It is funny how food can bring back memories, even years later. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you miss something until you start talking about it with someone else. We also used to go to Ginger Brown’s for dinner. One of the things I remember most was the cinnamon rolls they served at the end of the meal.

They were delicious, and I never thought they did but David said sometimes they tasted a little like coffee. My best friend Debbie and my sister remember them that way, too. I guess that is one of those food memories that sticks with you!

This morning, we had cinnamon rolls that were pretty good, but they were missing one important thing: that lovely white icing. David recently bought cinnamon rolls from Walmart, and those were good, too, but once again, they didn’t have the kind of white icing I was hoping for.

For me, that icing is part of what makes a cinnamon roll special. I want it drizzled over the top, melting just a little into the warm dough. A cinnamon roll can be delicious on its own, but a generous amount of white icing makes it even better. I guess this means I may need to start making cinnamon rolls from scratch.

I’ve been wondering whether I need a bread machine or a sourdough starter to make cinnamon rolls at home. The good news is that you don’t need either one to make a traditional, soft, homemade cinnamon roll. You just need someone that can back and that isn’t me. Is it you?

All we need is basic yeast dough, a little time to let it rise, cinnamon and brown sugar for the filling, and a sweet icing are all you need to get started. You can knead the dough by hand or use a stand mixer if you have one. A bread machine can be helpful for mixing and kneading, but it isn’t a requirement.

And now I’m thinking about David, who says he was a baker before we met. Well, David, I think it’s time to put that claim to the test! Maybe he can show us what he remembers and bake a batch of cinnamon rolls for the family.

If they turn out really good, I may share the results. Or maybe I’ll keep the recipe to myself and make everyone come over when I ie he bakes them. Laughing out loud! Or better yet instead of waiting for David can you make them and bring me some PLEASE.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with White Icing

If you’re ready to make your own cinnamon rolls, here’s a simple recipe to try. It makes about 12 rolls and uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour

For the cinnamon filling:

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the white icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon softened butter, optional
• A pinch of salt, optional

Directions

1. Warm the milk until it is comfortably warm, about 105–110°F. Stir in the yeast and a little of the sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Add the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix together.
3. Add the flour gradually, starting with 4 cups, until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 6–8 minutes by hand or with a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add a little more flour only if the dough is extremely sticky.
4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1–1½ hours.
5. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 16 by 12 inches. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over it.
6. Starting with a long edge, roll the dough into a log. Cut into 12 rolls and arrange them in a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
7. Cover and let the rolls rise again for about 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
8. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through. Avoid overbaking so the rolls stay soft.
9. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and optional butter and salt until smooth. Add a little more milk if needed to reach your preferred consistency.
10. Let the rolls cool for a few minutes, then spread the white icing over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve.

A few tips from my kitchen to yours: Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, so it doesn’t harm the yeast. Try not to add too much flour, because that can make the rolls dense. Dental floss can help cut the dough neatly without squashing the rolls. And don’t wait until the cinnamon rolls are completely cold to add the icing if you like it to melt into all those delicious swirls.

With Christmas getting closer, I was thinking that cinnamon rolls might be a fun treat to leave for Santa this year. Cookies and milk are traditional, but surely Santa might appreciate something different after a long night of delivering presents. When the Sleigh is filled and we begin delivering packages we have something to snack on.

Of course, we’d have to decide what to serve with them. Coffee, cold white milk, or even Milo’s sweet tea might work. I’m not so sure about chocolate milk with cinnamon rolls, though. That just doesn’t sound right to me! Since Charlie and David both enjoy cinnamon rolls, I know a fresh batch wouldn’t last very long at our house. And if David really was a baker before we met, maybe he can help make sure Santa gets a delicious treat.

Sometimes it’s nice to let someone else do the baking, especially when you’re craving a cinnamon roll and don’t feel like making dough and waiting for it to rise. If you’re in the DFW area, two places that may be worth checking out are:

• Cinnaholic in Arlington — Have you visited and tried their cinnamon rolls? I’d love to hear what you thought.
• Black Rooster Bakery in Fort Worth — Have you stopped by for a cinnamon roll or another sweet treat? Let us know about your experience.

Be sure to check with the bakeries for their current menus and availability before making a special trip.

Now it’s your turn! Where do you go for cinnamon rolls, and why is that your favorite place? Is it a local bakery, a restaurant, a grocery-store favorite, or a recipe that has been passed down in your family come and share your Cinnamon Roll experiences with us.

Do you love cinnamon rolls with lots of white icing, or do you prefer them without? Have you ever made them from scratch, and do you have a recipe you would recommend? I’d love to hear about your favorite cinnamon rolls, especially any hidden gems here in DFW. Share your recommendations and tell us what makes them so special. You might help another family find their next favorite treat!

At the end of the day, cinnamon rolls are about more than just the sweet dough and icing. They’re about the memories we make, the people we share them with, and the little traditions that bring us together as we settle down with a sweet treat and a beverage.

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

GratfulMoments.com

Gracias,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates