Welcome Home, Howard!

Howard has been away in Idaho, the past few days visiting with a young friend suffering cancer and probably won't be with us for much longer. Barry our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

To try to cheer Howard up, I decided to make his favorite thing in the world...cinnamon rolls, like the famous Cinnabons. If nothing else, the house smells wonderful!


All rolled out, topped with LOTS of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.


All rolled up and being cut.


Just a few minutes more and they can go into the oven.


Out of the oven, but not frosted.


Here are the two that didn't fit into the large pans...all frosted and ready to be eaten.

Cinnamon Rolls
Yield: 24 large or 36 medium rolls

4 ½ teaspoons dry yeast (I use instant yeast)
2 tablespoons sugar
3 ½ oz. package instant vanilla pudding mixed with 2 cups milk
2 eggs
½ cup butter, melted
6-7 cups flour

In large bowl (I use the mixer bowl) mix vanilla pudding and milk until smooth. Add melted butter, eggs and salt. Mix well.

Gradually add flour and yeast; knead until smooth. Turn out into greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down and let rise again.

Roll out on floured board to 34" x 21" size. Take 1 cup soft butter and spread over surface. In a bowl mix 2½ cups brown sugar with ¼ cup cinnamon. Sprinkle over top. Starting with the wide side, roll very tightly like a jelly roll. Cut into rounds with a very sharp knife, so that you don't flatten the roll.

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart. (I use 9" cake pans). Lightly press down on each roll. Cover and let rise.

Bake 350° for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven when the rolls start to turn golden. Don't over-bake.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese
½ cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon milk

Combine all ingredients together and beat until smooth. Ice rolls while still warm.