Skillet Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1

In a 6-quart (6-liter) bowl or other large container, or in the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer, dump all the ingredients in the order listed.

Step 2

Using a spoon and strong biceps or the paddle attachment of the stand mixer, blend in the flour until combined. (If you’re not using a mixer, you may need to use wet hands to incorporate the last of the flour.) Don’t try to work with it at this point.

Step 3

Loosely cover the container and let it rest at room temperature for 2 hours.

Step 4

Refrigerate the dough until it’s thoroughly chilled, at least 3 hours. (You can refrigerate the dough for up to 5 days.)

Step 5

Generously butter an 8- or 9-inch (20- or 23-cm) cast-iron skillet.

Step 6

Dust the surface of the refrigerated dough with flour and cut off a 1-pound (455-g) piece of dough. Return the rest of the dough to the refrigerator and use within 5 days.

Step 7

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go.

Step 8

Roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 9 inches by 12 inches (23 by 30 cm) and 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick, using just enough flour to prevent it from sticking.

Step 9

Brush the melted butter over the entire surface of the rolled dough. In a small bowl, mix together the sugars, salt, cinnamon, and orange zest. Evenly sprinkle the mixture over the butter-topped dough.

Step 10

For one giant skillet cinnamon roll (pictured), use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough lengthwise into 1 1/2-inch-wide (40-mm-wide) strips. Roll one of the strips into a tight coil. Place the coil on the end of the next strip and roll that strip around the coil, connecting the two ends together. Repeat with the remaining strips of dough until you have a giant coil of dough. At some point, you will have to lay the coil down on the work surface and wind the dough around it, or it will get too large and unwieldy. Use a large spatula to set the entire coil into the buttered cast-iron skillet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 75 minutes.For several smaller skillet cinnamon rolls, start at the short end and roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the log crosswise into 6 equal rolls. Arrange the rolls inside the buttered cast-iron skillet. Space slightly apart for rolls with crisp edges, if desired, or nestle together for softer rolls. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 75 minutes.

Step 11

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 12

Bake the cinnamon roll(s) until golden brown and set in the middle, about 25 minutes. To test for doneness, you’ll need to use the tip of a knife to probe a little into the center between the rolls.

Step 13

Let the roll(s) cool in the skillet for 10 minutes before icing.

Step 14

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and mix on low speed until smooth.

Step 15

Add the confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon cream, vanilla, and orange zest and whisk until well combined. If the icing seems too thick to spread, dribble in a little additional cream until the icing is still thick but spreadable.

Step 16

Serve the cinnamon roll(s) straight from the skillet or, if desired, transfer to a platter. Slather the cinnamon roll(s) with the cream cheese icing and, if serving the single skillet roll, slice it into wedges. Then watch your hard work quickly disappear.