Holiday Buns Food

HOLIDAY BUNS

Steps:

• In bowl: dissolve sugar in lukewarm water, add yeast and let stand for 10 minutes.
• In Large Bowl: measure out 12 cups flour and set aside.
• In Large Bowl: add milk, melted margarine and sugar, mix to dissolve.
• Add beaten eggs,vinegar, salt, lukewarm water, the sour cream(optional) and stir in the yeast mixture.
• Add 6 cups of flour and mix smooth, then add flour 1 cup at a time, until no longer sticky.(flour is approximate, for most part I use 12 cups of flour - on occasion I need more or a touch less. Flour being variable it may take more than the 12 cups of flour - add enough to give you a nice smooth elastic dough).
• Knead on floured board until dough is smooth and elastic, place in well greased bowl turning to grease top.
• Cover and let rise until double in bulk (about 1 hour) then knead down grease top lightly with margarine and again rise until double in bulk.
• Knead down, let dough rest ten minutes and shape into buns (many old recipes suggest the size of a large egg).
• Place buns on a well greased large cookie sheet (I put 3 in a row and not touching) lightly grease tops with margarine, cover.
• After rising 15 minutes press down lightly on top of each bun with the palm of the hand.( if wishing to make dinner roll shaped buns skip this step) Rise until double. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes until lightly browned -- brush with melted butter and bake a couple minutes more until nicely browned. Brush with melted butter when baked and cool on rack. The extra brushing with butter makes for a very nice top. Baking time depends on the oven and yield on the size of the buns.

CHRISTMAS MORNING CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the milk, granulated sugar, butter, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment and stir to combine well. Add the eggs and stir until well mixed. Add the flour and mix on medium-high speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let stand in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and lightly flour a work surface. Lay the dough out and pat or roll the dough out into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle.
• For the filling: Butter a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish. Spread the softened butter evenly all over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border, then sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle with the pecans and raisins if using. Starting with a short end, roll up the dough and press and crimp the edges to seal. Cut the dough into 12 slices and arrange them in the buttered baking dish. If you want to bake them the same day, cover with plastic wrap and let stand until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Otherwise, refrigerate overnight; take out of the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the cinnamon rolls until puffed and golden brown all over, about 25 minutes.
• For the icing: Put the confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the melted butter, vanilla and 4 tablespoons of milk; whisk until smooth. Add additional milk, about 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to achieve a thick but spreadable consistency.
• Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve warm.