Test Kitchen Recipe- Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Topping

 It had been along time since I made this big of a batch of cinnamon rolls...probably the last time I made them with my Grandma. I make smaller batches once or twice a year from my family.

I started by proofing my yeast. It actviated very quickly. 

Next I add my other ingredients.

The dough quickly filled up my mixer and I had more flour to add to get the dough to the right consistency. I poured it on the counter and rolled up my sleeves. I was covered in flour within a few minutes. 

Once I was done adding flour and kneed it to activiate the gluten in the flour, my arms ached. I left it on the counter to rise as I didn't have a bowl big enough for it to double in size.  I covered it with a flour sack towel.

I divided the risen dough into three balls. Then I rolled it out. The dough had wonderful bubbles it and while I was rolling it out the bubbles squeaked. I brushed melted butter on the dough rounds and sprinkled on brown and white sugar and a generous amount of ground cinnamon. 

Then I made a double batch of homemade caramel. I didn't get any pics of it in the pan, as I could not let it sit. Sitting would have cause the sugars to either get too hot or start sticking to the pan. I didn't want to burn the caramel.

There is the rolls with the caramel on the bottom of the pan. I ended up with four pans (two large ones). I let the cinnamon roll rise for a short while before popping them into the oven. 

Here are the rolls right from the oven. Golden color and were baked until they sounded hallow when tapped with a fingernail.

We inverted the cinnamon rolls onto waxed paper.  The ones we were sharing went into disposable foil baking pans. 

They were gooey and messy!  So good!!

Hubby called them "fork" cinnamon rolls. You could eat them with your hands but a fork was necessary if you didn't want to bathe in caramel. 

In about 4 days all the pans were empty and I got rave reviews. 

The recipe for the rolls and the caramel sauce will be included in my upcoming book.