Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buns

Ingredients: 

Dough:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 Tbsp instant yeast
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 5-6 cups all purpose flour 

Filling:

• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins (optional) 

Topping:

• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar 

Steps: 

Dough:

Using an electric mixer beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next one. In a saucepan heat the milk and water until lukewarm and slowly mix into the batter. Add in the cinnamon, salt and instant yeast. Mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Add in the flour about two cups at a time. Beat with a wooden spoon till smooth. Continue to add in more flour. When it becomes too hard to mix with a wooden spoon, place the dough onto a flat surface. Add in just enough flour to make a soft dough, but does not stick to your hands. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes. Add a little oil to a large clean bowl (about a Tbsp). Place the kneaded dough into the bowl and flip over a few times to lightly coat all sides of the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour. Dough should have doubled in bulk. 

Filling:

Place the brown sugar into a bowl and add the cinnamon. Using your fingers, mix together until well blended. Set aside until needed. After the dough has risen, pour out onto a flat, lightly floured surface. Using your fingers press the dough into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon mixture evenly on top of the butter. Sprinkle the raisins on top. Curl the side over about an inch and then begin to roll the dough like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam with your fingers. Cut the dough with a sharp knife into 12 pieces. Place onto a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. 

Topping:

While the buns are baking, make the topping by combining the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar to a large bowl. Beat together with a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Remove buns from oven and place onto a wire rack. Do not remove them from the parchment paper. Immediately spread the cream cheese topping on top with a rubber spatula while the buns are still hot.