Cinnamon Rolls

One of my favorite things to bake and share at Christmas time are these Cinnamon Rolls.  This past year was no different.  Give them a try you will like love them I promise. (Sadly in my busy moment of baking I didn't get out the camera.  I will try to do better next time.  This cooking with a camera is going to be a challenge for me!)

2 pkgs. Yeast ½ cup of Warm Water 2 cups Milk, scalded ½ cup Shortening or Butter 7 cups of Flour 1 cup of Sugar

1 cup Mashed Potatoes (sometimes I just use instant) 2 Eggs, slightly beaten 2 tsp. Salt 1 cup Raisins ½ cup Chopped Walnuts Softened Butter, Sugar & Cinnamon

Soften yeast in warm water.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Pour hot milk over shortening.  Cool to lukewarm.

Stir in 4 cups flour, sugar, mashed potatoes, eggs, salt and dissolved yeast. Stir raisins and chopped walnuts into dough.  Slowly add remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough.  Cover and let rise until double.

Divide dough in half.  Roll into a 1/2" thick rectangle.  Spread softened butter onto dough.  Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.  Starting with long side, roll up jelly roll style.  Press edges tightly into roll.  Cut in 1½" slices.

Place in a greased 13x9 pan.  Cover.  Let rise until double in size.  Bake at 350E for 20 minutes. 

I like to frost mine when they are cool; some people like to frost them when they are warm.  This creates more of a glaze over the cinnamon roll.  Either way works!  I generally just make a simple frosting with powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and some butter.  This year I added cream cheese; the frosting was wonderful.  Just sayin' 

So start your ovens!