Giant Cinnamon Roll

Have you ever eaten a cinnamon roll that was so amazing that you wanted another one right away? And then another one? Well, if you make this giant cinnamon roll, then you can eat to your heart's content.  Actually, it's meant to serve 8 so how you choose to share is up to you ☺ It bakes up as beautifully and makes a stunning presentation on any table.  The recipe makes two so it's perfect for making one for you and sharing one with someone you like or want to have like you because this will pretty much guarantee that they will!

Ingredients

Dough:
3/4 cup buttermilk

6 T. butter

3 large eggs

4 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/4 tsp. instant yeast

1 1/4 tsp. salt

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 T. cinnamon

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup half and half

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Warm the buttermilk for 1 minute in the microwave. Add butter and stir together to melt the butter and cool the mixture a bit. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, yeast and salt together. With the mixer on low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and eggs and mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes. Increase the mixer to medium speed and mix the dough until it is smooth and elastic for 2 more minutes. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size. 

Lightly grease or spray two 8" round cake pans. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter and roll it into a 18 by 14-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the rectangle. Sprinkle on the brown sugar mixture. Roll into a log starting from long side up. Pinch the seam closed. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the log down the middle lengthwise. To form your first "giant roll," start to lightly coil a log with the cut side facing out.  You will have some filling fall out but just keep coiling and transfer to cake pan.  Place loosely centered in pan to allow room for rising.  Repeat with second one. Cover pans with lightly greased plastic wrap and let rise for 30 - 40 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, until golden. 

To make glaze, whisk all ingredients in a small bowl. It should be thick yet pourable. Drizzle over warm rolls.

Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe