3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for greasing pans
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
⅔ cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the maple frosting:
4 ounces powdered sugar, sifted (1 cup)
½ teaspoon maple flavoring
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
pinch of salt
Instructions
To make the dough:
Mix
the milk, vegetable oil and sugar in a small sauce pan. Warm over
medium heat just until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches
95-100°F (lukewarm) on an instant read thermometer. Remove from the heat
and pour into a large mixing bowl. Cool, if needed, until the milk
reaches 95° to 100° F on an instant read thermometer.
Sprinkle
the yeast over the lukewarm milk mixture and set aside for 5-10
minutes. Add 4 cups of the flour and stir until combined (you can do
this by hand with a wooden spoon or use the dough hook of a stand
mixer). Cover and let rise for one hour in a warm location. The mixture
should be bubbly and puffed.
In
a small bowl or 1 cup measure, combine the remaining ½ cup of flour,
baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together until blended. Add
the flour mixture to the dough and mix until all flour is incorporated.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight, or for a day or two, if
desired. If rising for more than a day, watch the dough and punch down
if needed to prevent overflowing.
To make the cinnamon rolls:
Grease 3 (9-inch) cake pans with melted butter, set aside.
Heavily
flour a large, clean work surface. Lightly punch down the dough and
scrape out onto the countertop. Using floured hands, and a floured
rolling pin, press and roll the dough into a rectangle at least
30-inches wide and about 18 to 20-inches deep. The dough will be very
thin.
Brush
12 tablespoons of melted butter over the surface of the dough, leaving a
1-inch border along the 30-inch side farthest away from you.
Sprinkle ⅔ cup of sugar over the butter layer, followed by the ground cinnamon.
Roll
the dough into a log starting at the 30-inch side closest to you.
Gently pull the dough toward you, then tuck and roll, and repeat,
keeping it pretty tight as you go. Next, pinch the seams to seal.
Using
a ruler as a guide, cut the rolls into (30) 1-inch slices. You can use a
large, thin, sharp knife to cut the rolls, or a long piece of dental
floss works very well, too. Place the rolls, cut side down, into the
prepared pans.
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Let
the rolls rise in a warm location for 30 to 40 minutes. Once risen, the
unbaked rolls should be puffed and smooth. To ensure the rolls have
risen properly, gently press the edge of a roll with a knuckle. If the
dough does not quickly and completely fill back into the depression, the
rolls are ready. Bake at 375° F until light golden brown, about 15 to
20 minutes.
Transfer the pans to a rack to cool while preparing the frosting.
To make the frosting:
Using
an electric mixer or whisk, combine the frosting ingredients and blend
until smooth. The frosting should be thick, but pourable. Generously
drizzle over the warm rolls. Feel free to go little crazy and don’t
skimp on the frosting. Serve immediately.