From my Kitchen

Between you and me, I'll be honest: there was a day when yeast literally terrified me.  I've always enjoyed sooo many things made with yeast, but the thought of actually preparing such delicacies myself: nope. Forget it.  Death by starvation sounds like a better option than accepting such an insurmountable challenge.  

It took a lot of trial and error (emphasis on the error) before I can officially say that yeast and I are on speaking terms.  But I'm happy to announce that we now are.  

Okay, enough drama.  This cinnamon roll recipe is one of my favorite yeast-things to make.  It's easy, doesn't require any kneading, and it's just plain good.  



Cinnamon Rolls
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup mashed potatoes*
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 Tbsp Active Dry yeast
1/3 cup & 1/3 cup warm water
3+ cups flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 Tbsp (approx) cinnamon
1 cup (approx) brown sugar


Cream Cheese Frosting
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp milk
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar


*Make mashed potatoes beforehand and refrigerate before incorporating.   (I make a whole buncha mashed potatoes at once and then freeze them in little 1/2 cup portions, which makes preparing this recipe even easier!).
  
Mix yeast with 1/2 cup warm (110-115 degree) water.  Let sit for about 10 minutes--or until it's nice and foamy.  
Cream sugar and shortening.  Add potatoes, salt, and egg.  Add your foamy yeast mixture.  Beat in 1 cup flour and remaining 1/3 cup water.  Add enough flour to form a soft dough (will be sticky).  Beat until dough slaps in your mixer.  Shape into a ball; do not knead. Put in a greased bowl, turning once to coat.  Cover and  let raise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour--or until double in size.  
At this point you can make your dough into dinner rolls, calzones, stromboli, or cinnamon rolls.   
To make the cinnamon rolls, roll out the dough on a floured counter until it's approximately a 10" x 15" rectangle.  Spread with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon, and then brown sugar. Roll dough jelly-roll style, starting with the long edge.  Slice the roll into 8 or 9 - 1 inch slices.  Place in a baking dish.  Let raise approximately 1/2 hour--or until double in size.  
Bake at 350-degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.  

Mix together frosting ingredients and spread on warm rolls.  Serve and Enjoy!