Freeze Ahead Cinnamon Rolls 


    1/2 cup instant potato flakes
    1 cup water
    2 1/4 oz envelopes active dry yeast
    2 cups warm water (100º to 110º)
    9 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (9 1/2 to 10 cups)
    5 large eggs -- lightly beaten
    1 cup sugar
    1 cup shortening -- melted
    1 tablespoon salt
    1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened
    1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
    4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    1/2 cup chopped pecans -- toasted
    1/2 cup raisins -- optional

    Glaze:
    2 cups powdered sugar
    2 tablespoons milk
    2 tablespoons water
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 tablespoons cream cheese -- softened
    2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- softened

    Stir together potato flakes and 1 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl.
     Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes; stir.
    Combine yeast and 2 cups warm water in a 2 cup glass measuring cup; 
    let stand 5 minutes. Combine mashed potatoes, 4 cups flour, eggs, and next 3
     ingredients in a 6 quart bowl. Stir in yeast mixture until blended. Gradually stir in
     remaining 5 1/2 to 6 cups flour until soft dough forms.
    Cover and let rise in a warm place (85º), free from drafts, 1 hour or until 
    doubled in bulk.  Divide dough in half. Roll each portion on a lightly floured 
    surface into an 18x15 inch rectangle. Spread each with half of butter; sprinkle 
    with 2/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 cup pecans, and, if desired, 
    1/4 cup raisins. Roll up, jelly roll fashion, starting at a long edge. Cut each roll 
    into 1 inch thick slices. Arrange in 4 (9x13 inch) pans or in 8 (8-inch) square pans.
    (Rolls can be place in foil pans and frozen at this point.)

    Cover and let rise in a warm place (85º) free from drafts, 30 minutes or 
    until doubled in bulk.  Bake at 375º for 25 minutes or until golden. 
    Drizzle with glaze. Yield: about 3 dozen

    GLAZE: Whisk together first 4 ingredients (powdered sugar, milk, water and vanilla) until blended; add cream cheese and butter, whisking until smooth. Yield: about 1 cup

    NOTES: You can stir up a batch of these cinnamon rolls a month ahead of time, place them in disposable pans, and store in the freezer. If you give these Cinnamon Rolls as a gift before baking, double the Glaze recipe and include about 1/4 cup in a small ziplock plastic bag with each gift. Add instructions to place the bag in hot water, snip a corner and then drizzle over baked rolls. As indicated, unbaked rolls may be frozen. To bake, remove from freezer, and thaw in refrigerator for 8 hours. Bake as directed



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