cinnamon rolls

For years I've fought with what to make for breakfast when we have guests. I've made Blueberry French Toast, which is good, but not exactly the favorite fare for Tech Guy and the boys. I've tried to dress up pretty much anything I can think of, and all that ends up happening is me with frazzled hair in the morning, frantically trying to get it all on the table in time. (Have I mentioned I'm not a morning person?!) So I always end up going back to the basics - cinnamon rolls. I make my cinnamon roll dough in my bread machine, usually forming them in the evening, letting rise in the fridge overnight and baking fresh for breakfast. This is especially handy when you have guests, you don't have to scurry very hard in the morning, but you get the "fresh from the oven" taste. This past weekend was no exception - with company coming out of the woodwork, it was a breeze to whip up a batch. The recipe came with my bread machine and was designed for butter rolls, but makes a mean cinnamon roll:

Cinnamon Rolls

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 3/4 cups bread flour

2 tsp active dry yeast

1/4 cup water

1 egg

7/8 cup milk (7 oz.)

1/4 cup butter

Measure into bread machine and start it on the Dough setting. When dough is complete, roll out into large rectangle. Spread generously with butter or margarine, brown sugar and cinnamon. Sometimes I add chopped pecans as well. Roll up and cut with string. Fills a large commercial-sized cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap (GLAD Press 'n Seal works best since it doesn't stick to the food) and let slow rise in fridge overnight. Take out 1/2 hour ahead or let warm slightly in oven. Bake at 375* for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Ice with powdered sugar icing or cream cheese icing.

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Powdered Sugar Icing

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 - 2 1/2 cups icing sugar

2 tsp vanilla

Milk or cream

Mix softened butter with icing sugar and vanilla. Add milk and mix until thick enough to spread.

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Cream Cheese Icing

8 oz cream cheese, light or regular, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 - 2 1/2 cups icing sugar

2 tsp vanilla

Mix softened butter and cream cheese until soft and creamy. Add icing sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.

P.S. Another great icing recipe can be found on Pioneer Woman's site. It's a little richer but definitely worth a try!