Grandmom's Cinnamon Rolls

This grandma's recipe for crave-worthy cinnamon rolls produces enough rolls for a large breakfast or brunch gathering.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 317 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 (.25 ounce) package yeast
• 2 tablespoons water, or more as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Prepare dough: Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until just about to boil, 3 to 4 minutes. Add sugar, shortening, and salt; remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

While the milk mixture is cooling, sprinkle yeast over water and let sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Pour lukewarm milk mixture into a bowl; add 1 cup flour and beat well. Beat in yeast mixture and egg. Gradually beat in remaining 2 1/2 cups flour. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Test by pressing a finger into the dough; a fingerprint should stay.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch square baking pans.

Step 5

Prepare filling: Mix sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Step 6

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and divide in half. Roll one piece into a 16x8-inch rectangle. Spread 1/2 of the filling over top. Start at the long edge of the rectangle and roll up as for a jelly roll. Cut into eight 1-inch slices and place cut-sides down into one prepared baking pan. Repeat with remaining rectangle.

Step 7

Bake in the oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 8

Meanwhile, prepare frosting by mixing confectioners' sugar and water together in a bowl.

Step 9

Remove rolls from the oven. Transfer to a large serving plate and spread frosting over top.