Food: Quick and Easy Cinnamon Rolls

So I was browsing some blogs, and found this recipe on Big Red Kitchen , and I thought 'How many times have I needed a cinnamon roll recipe that doesn't involve waiting for dough to rise?' (the answer: several, perhaps many times)
Anyway, here it is. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks delish. If anyone else bakes these babies up, let me know how they turn out.

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

Although I am very fond of yeast cinnamon rolls, there are times when I need something quick and easy. This biscuit style roll is quick and fits the bill for easy. These come together quickly and bake up in about 18 minutes. You can make a simple icing of milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract (remember quick) or go as far as making a thick and satisfying cream cheese icing. Either way this roll is tops. I filled mine with the usual brown sugar cinnamon mixture as well as cinnamon chips and some caramel bits which were fun and chewy and definitely kept the kids guessing. I imagine you could even put chocolate in there if you wanted.


You may want to double and triple the recipe to keep some on hand in the freezer for a quick heat up and continued instant gratification.


Quick Cinnamon Rolls
4 cups unbleached AP flour
4 T. white sugar
2 1/2 T. baking powder
1 1/2 t. Kosher salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups buttermilk*

In a large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients then cut in butter and mix until the dough is crumbly. Add buttermilk and mix until a nice dough forms. Place dough on a floured surface, knead a little, and roll into a big, big rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

Toppers:
1/2 cup butter very soft
2 cups brown sugar- yes!
2 T. cinnamon- I just sprinkle
1 cup cinnamon chips, optional
1 cup caramel chips, optional
1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Spread the dough with the butter and then sprinkle with the remaining topper ingredients. Roll the dough length-wise away from you and slice into 14 evenly sized buns. Place 7 buns each in two greased 8 inch cake pans. Bake for 16-18 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Top with icing of your choice such as a simple powdered sugar icing or Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon to make them look even prettier. The middle bun may still be a little under done but someone has to take one for the team. Me me me!


* Maven Mama's note: If you don't have buttermilk sitting around (really, who does?), you can create some faux buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk, and allowing it to sit for about 5 minutes

A very special thanks to Big Red Kitchen!!!