INGREDIENTS:
Dough
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (bread flour may be substituted; rolls will be firmer and chewier rather than softer and fluffier; you may only need 2 1/4 cups bread flour) + extra flour if needed, see directions
1 cup buttermilk, warmed to manufacturer’s directions, see directions
2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast (one 1/4-ounce packet, I use Red Star Platinum)
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste
Filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), very soft
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons cinnamon
Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, very soft (light cream cheese may be substituted, but it’s runnier and you may want to skip the cream)
about 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
about 2 to 3 tablespoons cream, half-and-half, or milk (eggnog, maple syrup, orange juice, Baileys, or Kahlua may be substituted if desired)
Here is how to prepare it:
Instructions Next Page
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a 9-inch pie dish (holds about 9 rolls) and a 9×5-inch loaf pan (holds about 5 rolls) OR prepare a 9×13 pan by spraying with cooking spray or grease and flour the pan(s); set aside. See blog post for explanation about pan sizes.
Dough – To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook (or large mixing bowl and hand-knead), combine all dough ingredients and knead for about 7 minutes, or until dough is soft, smooth, and has come together in a firm mass. If hand-kneading, you may need to knead a few minutes longer. Note – Based brand of yeast used, buttermilk temperature will vary. Red Star Platinum yeast calls for a warmer temperature than most, 120 to 130F; other brands are much lower, about 95 to 105F. Warm buttermilk according to the yeast manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging. This takes about 1 minute in a glass measuring cup in my microwave. Taking the temperature with a digital thermometer is recommended, but if you’re not, make sure the water is warm, not hot. Err on the cooler rather than hotter side so you don’t kill the yeast. Note – Dough should be smooth, not overly sticky, and fairly easy to handle. If your dough is very wet, moist, sticky, or gloppy, add flour in 1 tablespoon increments until it comes together easily.