Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1

Heat the milk, butter, ½ cup sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat until the butter begins to melt. Remove from the heat and stir, then let sit until the butter has completely melted and the mixture is cooled to lukewarm.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, the remaining 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast and let stand until the mixture is foamy and the yeast is activated, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Whisk the eggs into the yeast mixture. Then whisk in the cooled milk mixture.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and xanthan gum. Then add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir vigorously until the dough is smooth. It will be sticky.

Step 5

Roll out the dough between two large sheets of plastic wrap to form a rectangle that is about 18 inches wide by 12 inches.

Step 6

Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the butter and use your fingers to squeeze the butter into the sugar until it is a uniform paste consistency.

Step 7

Remove the top piece of plastic wrap from the dough, and break the filling into pieces and evenly distribute on top of the dough. Spread the filling to the edges of the dough on three sides, but leave a one-inch naked border along the top edge of the dough farthest from you.

Step 8

Use the bottom sheet of plastic wrap to lift and roll up the dough into an 18-inch long roll. Peel the plastic wrap back as you roll, but try not to roll the bottom of the dough off the plastic wrap, as it will stick to the work surface.

Step 9

Cut the roll into 2-inch segments, making 9 cinnamon rolls.

Step 10

Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter and arrange the 9 cinnamon rolls in the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours.

Step 11

Remove the covered pan from the refrigerator and place in a warm location. Allow to rise for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours. Near the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 350º F.

Step 12

After the rolls are risen and before they go into the oven, remove the cover and pour the 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream over the dough.

Step 13

Then bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Step 14

While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, make the glaze by combining the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl and whisk together.

Step 15

Drizzle the glaze with a spoon or piping bag on top of the cinnamon rolls. Serve warm.