Overnight Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Rolls

We had these for Easter breakfast.  I made the dough the morning before, let it rise in the fridge all day, then formed the rolls that night before bed.  On Easter morning, I just had to remove them from the fridge while the oven preheated, then make the icing as they were baking.  They were well-received, but I think my kids wanted more icing.  I thought they were perfect though.  Especially on a holiday like Easter where there's lots of chocolate floating around.  This recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, and she has another version using strawberry jam that looks really good.  For step-by-step photos on how to form these into rolls, head over to Mel's website, which is really helpful.

Overnight Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Rolls

adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Dough:
4 1/2 cups (22.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons instant yeast
1/3 cup (2.5 ounces) granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs (7 ounces)
1 1/4 cup hot water
8 tablespoons (4 ounces) butter, melted

Filling:
4 tablespoons (2 ounces) butter, melted
1/2 cup (3,75 ounces) granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Glaze:
1 cup (4 ounces) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed
Splash of vanilla extract

1.  In a large bowl (to allow for about 7-8 cups of dough to double in bulk), whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

2.  In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs and pour them into the well. Use the same measuring cup for the hot water. Pour it around the edges of the well (not directly on the eggs) and then add the melted butter to the bowl. Use a large spoon to mix the ingredients together until a soft, rather wet dough is formed. It won't look like traditional cinnamon roll dough; it will be much softer and it's ok if it looks a bit lumpy.  Cover the bowl with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for 8-10 hours.

3.  Using about 1/4 - 1/3 cup flour (more or less), dust a clean countertop. Lightly punch down the chilled dough and roll it out on the floured counter to a long, skinny rectangle (about 24-inches long and 7 or 8-inches wide).

4.  Spread the 4 tablespoons melted butter on the rectangle. It will solidify and be easier to work with as you spread it on the chilly rectangle of dough. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and spread it on top of the butter, lightly pressing it in.

5.  Fold one long edge of the rectangle up to meet the other long edge so the dough is folded in half. Use a pizza cutter or knife and cut the dough into 1-inch strips. With each strip, hold an end in each hand and twist it up several times and roll it around the center into a circle (see pictures below for a visual). Place on a large, rimmed baking sheet (11X17-inch) lined with parchment paper (about 12 per tray).

6.  Cover the trays with greased, plastic wrap and let the rolls rise until puffy and doubled, an hour or so.

7.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-14 minutes until just barely golden on top (don't overbake or they'll be dry).

8.  For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla. Add more milk as needed until the glaze is thick but pourable. Let the rolls cool for 5 or so minutes before drizzling with glaze.

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