ALMOST HEAVEN CINNAMON ROLLS

RECIPES THAT WARM YOUR HEART, THAT TAKE YOU AWAY AND THAT GIVE YOU THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS (THE COOKING AND THE EATING.)

I can't think of anything better than a warm cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven and one of these is even better because it is as close to a real Cinnabun cinnamon roll as you can get without going to one of their stores and buying one. As I understand it, they use a very special cinnamon that comes from Indonesia that you can't buy here because it has to be imported and the Cinnabun franchise has a contract with the company that processes it here and no one else can buy it but them. But this is a very good clone to the real thing and I think it's every bit as good. You can judge for yourself, though. If you're a cinnamon roll lover, as I am, then you will be happy to know that they're as easy to make as they are delicious to eat. What could be better and a cool fall day and what else makes your home smell almost like heaven? Let's get started:

For the dough you will need:

1 1/2 C. warm milk (not hot)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 C. sugar

2 T. oil

4 C. flour

2 1/2 tsp. yeast

1. Put everything but the flour and yeast in the blender and blend for about 10 seconds.

Pour this mixture into a large bowl. Add the yeast now. If you have a Kitchen-Aid, use the paddle for the first 2 cups of flour, then changing to the dough mixer for the next 2 cups. If you don't, you can use a regular hand-held mixer when you add the first 2 cups of flour, then you have to mix in the rest of the dough by hand and knead it by hand which can be a slight pain in the patootie, but you do what you have to do, right?

2. Let it mix with the dough hook for at least 10 minutes. This is very important. Don't rush it.

3. Next is letting the dough rise. I've found one of the best places is right in your crock pot with the heat turned to warm. Pour 1 C. of water into the bottom of the crock pot. Use a heat-proof bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Dough likes to be in a warm and moist place so this is perfect for letting it raise. Leave it alone until it doubles in size.

4. While the dough is rising, you can make the filling. Start by melting 1/2 C. butter in the microwave.

5. To this add 1 C. dark brown sugar. Mix it all together well.

6. Next comes the spices:

2 T. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. allspice

Fresh grated nutmeg (approx 1/4 tsp.)

To the spices add 1 T. Karo syrup

Mix these all together and set aside until the dough is ready.

Note: You can use a regular cheese grater for the nutmeg, using the very smallest side. It works just fine. Whole nutmeg grated is 10 times better than the ground kind you buy in the can.

7. When the dough has raised enough, roll it out into a nice rectangle trying to make the edges as square as possible. Spread the cinnamon paste evenly on the dough and roll it up lengthwise.

8. It should look like this. Then cut the dough into 12 approximately 2" pieces and put them in a greased or sprayed 9" X 12" baking pan. Bake in a 325 degree oven for about 25-30 minutes or until they are well browned and not doughy in the center.

9. While the rolls are baking, make the cream cheese frosting for the top.

Melt 1/4 C. butter in the microwave.

Add 1/2 of an 8 oz. pkg of cream cheese. Mix well.

10. To this add 2 C. powdered sugar , 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 Tbsp. heavy cream.

11. When the rolls have baked long enough, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool for about 15 or 20 minutes before you put on the cream cheese frosting. Use a pastry brush to frost them.

12. Voila! Here they are, warm, delicious and ready to eat. Enjoy!

YUMMMMM!