Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

A great twist on a cinnamon roll. 

  

GINGERBREAD CINNAMON ROLLS

    (makes 12)

Bread Ingredients:

*4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

*1/3 cup granulated sugar

*5 teaspoons rapid rise yeast

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 cup water

*1/2 cup whole milk

*6 tablespoons butter

*1 egg

Filling Ingredients:

*4 tablespoons butter, softened

*1/2 cups light brown sugar

*2 tablespoons molasses

*2 teaspoons ground ginger

*2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping Ingredients:

*4 ounces cream cheese, softened

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*3 cups powdered sugar

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or molasses

*1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Bread Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt.  Stir until well mixed.

~Place water, milk, and butter into a microwave safe bowl, and microwave until mixture is very warm (120-130 degrees).

~Add to flour mixture and add the egg.

~Mix for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

~Add 2 more cups of flour and mix for 2 minutes on high speed, scraping sides of bowl as needed.

~Knead in mixer until dough is elastic and dough springs back when touched (about 7-8 minutes)(only add last 1/2 cup flour if needed).

~Cover with clean towel, and allow mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes.

~Roll dough out to a 15x10 inch rectangle.

Filling Directions:

~In a microwave safe bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

~Microwave for 20-30 seconds, or util the sugar has melted and mixture is smooth.

~Spread filling evenly over dough.

~Begin rolling the long end of the dough until rolled up.  

~Pinch dough to make a seal.

~Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

~Cut dough into 12 equal pieces (use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss).

~Place cut side down into prepared baking dish.

~Cover with a clean damp towel, and allow to rise in a draft free area until double (about  50-60 minutes).

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes or nit a golden brown.

Topping Directions:

~In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, flavoring, and cinnamon, until well mixed (topping will be thick, but if it's to thick add a couple drops of milk).

~Spread topping over hot cinnamon rolls.

~Serve warm.

****Can make this up to where you put the dough into the pan and then cover and refrigerate overnight.

         Remove from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours).  Then

         bake as directed.  

****You can use active dry yeast, but allow the dough to rise until double before rolling out into rectangle (make sure you cover dough while it's rising to prevent it from drying out).