Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Why I Love This Recipe
Gingerbread in cinnamon roll form. No need to say more, except to suggest a little cream cheese frosting to spread all over these babies...
Ingredients You'll Need
Rolls:
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup light molasses
2 tablespoons instant yeast
2 eggs, slightly beaten (room temperature)
3 ½ to 4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice
Filling:
6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Heat the milk, butter, sugar, and molasses over medium/low heat until the butter begins to melt and the temperature is about 115 degrees F. (bathwater warm). Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk the yeast into the milk mixture and let it stand for 5-10 minutes, or until it starts to foam.
In the mean time, whisk together 3 ½ cups of the flour, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice in a large bowl. Add the eggs and the flour mixture to the yeast mixture and, using the paddle attachment, beat for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is shaggy. Switch the paddle out for the dough hook and continue to knead the dough, adding additional flour as needed, for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl, turning it over once. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about an hour or until double in size.
Gently deflate the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. While the dough is resting, grease a 13X9 inch baking pan. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with the brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger.
Roll the dough into a 12X8 inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough to within an inch of the edges. From the long side, roll up the dough jelly roll style. Cut into 12 even slices and arrange into prepared pan. Allow the rolls to rise for about 30 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before frosting. Garnish with sugared cranberries, if desired.
