Cinnamon Rolls

• 2 and 3/4 cups  all-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package yeast or any instant yeast (1 packet = 2 and 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1/2 cup  water
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 and 1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large egg

FILLING

• 3 Tablespoons  unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar

 Icing

• 1 cup  powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Make the dough: Set aside 1/2 cup of flour. In a large bowl, add the 2 and 1/4 cups flour, the sugar, salt, and yeast together until evenly dispersed. Set aside.
2. Heat the water, milk, and butter together in the microwave until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot to touch. About 115-120F degrees. Stir the butter mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and only enough of the reserved flour to make a soft dough. You may only need 1/3 cup, but you may need the full 1/2 cup. Dough will be ready when it gently pulls away from the side of the bowl and has an elastic consistency.
3. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl (I used non-stick spray) and let rest for about 10 minutes.
4.  After 10 minutes, roll the dough out in a 14x8 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle it all over the dough. Add more cinnamon/sugar if desired. Roll up the dough tightly. Cut into 11 even pieces and place in a lightly greased 9-inch round pan. A pie pan works nicely lightly sprayed with nonstick spray. Loosely cover the rolls with aluminum foil and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes. You can heat the oven to 200F degrees. Turn oven off. Place rolls inside oven and allow to rise.
1. After the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly browned. You can cover with aluminum foil after 15 minutes to avoid heavy browning:
2.  Right before serving, top your cinnamon rolls with icing. Mix the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth and drizzle over rolls.

Overnight: The dough may be made the night before through step 4. Allow the rolls to rise at room temperature for 12 hours. If they rise *too* much overnight, gently press them down a bit before baking the next morning