cinnamon roll cupcakes.

This week has gone by so fast, that when I sat here thinking what to post today, I didn't realize it's Thursday- and that means cupcakes!

Today's cupcake: Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes!

Here's a goodie- if your planning a brunch or just want a special breakfast treat! A cinnamon roll, turned cupcake.

 
Ingredients: (makes 24 cupcakes)
1 package of dry active yeast
1/2 cup of granulated sugar, divided
1 cup of warm milk
2 eggs-room temp.
1/3 cup of butter, melted
1 tsp. of salt
4 1/2 cups of bread flour
1 cup of brown sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. of ground cinnamon
1/3 cup of butter, softened

Directions:
Dissolve yeast and a 1/4 cup of sugar into the warm milk in a large bowl-let sit until it turns "foamy"

Mix the eggs, butter, salt and the second 1/4 cup of sugar. Add flour and mix until the mixture forms into dough-then watch as the dough forms into balls.
Put the dough ball into a large bowl, place in a warm area and cover. Let sit and rise until the dough has doubled. (about an hr.)

After the dough rises,  turn it onto a slightly floured surface, cover and let sit for 10 min.
In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together.
Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners-you might wanna double up the liners for these guys!
Lightly spray your liners with cooking spray.

Roll the dough into a rectangle (12x22)
Spread the dough with the softened 1/3 cup of butter and drizzle the cinnamon/brown sugar mixture evenly.
Roll up the dough & cut into 24 rolls. Tip: use dental floss to cut through the dough-works like a charm!


Place the rolls into the cupcake liners, cover and let rise (again, I know) until doubled in size. (about 30 min.)
Preheat the over to 400 degrees
Bake the rolls until golden brown. (about 10-12 min.)
Let cool before frosting.

Frosting ingredients:
2 (8oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of butter, softened
2 1/2 cups of sifted confectioner's sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting directions:
In a medium sized bowl, cream together the cream cheese and the butter until creamy.
Mix in the vanilla and gradually pour in the confectioner's sugar.
Make sure you store the left overs in the fridge!

I know these take time and can be tedious for some, but if you need a MAJOR time savor...just use the store bought cinnamon rolls-SHHH, don't tell anyone!
If your gonna take the challenge, I found the recipe found here!