If you asked me 3 years ago if I had ever made cinnamon rolls the answer would have been. NO, I'm too scared to make those. But fast forward to today & the answer would be I make them all the time. My boys love to make this one with me, the spreading butter over the dough and sprinkling brown sugar onto the butter is their favorite part. Great recipe for the holidays, cold snowy mornings, or just because you want to bake something special with your littles. I have not had these fail on me yet. If you make these once you will be asked to make them again! Every bite is like a big warm hug!

RECIPE: 

Ingredients: 

FOR THE CINNAMON ROLLS:

• 2 packages active dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, to proof the yeast
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour (you might need more if the dough is sticky, up to 9-10 cups)
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Softened butter 
• Brown sugar 
• Cinnamon 

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions: 

1. Add yeast to 1 cup of lukewarm water and add the sugar. Set aside for about five minutes.
   
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add butter, sugar, and salt to the 2 cups of hot water and beat for 30 seconds, using the beater blade. Let cool to lukewarm temperature. Stir in 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture and mix until well combined. Mix in the beaten eggs.
3. Gradually stir in the remaining flour and mix with the dough hook for about 2 minutes. Remove dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured counter. Knead by hand, add a little flour if the dough is still sticky. Knead until dough feels satiny and smooth.
   
4. Cover in a bowl and let rise for 30 minutes. After the dough has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and divide it in half. With a rolling pin, roll one half of the dough into a rectangular shape, about 22 X 13 inches. Spread dough evenly with half of the softened butter, about 1/4 cup. Sprinkle dough with half of the brown sugar, and cinnamon.
   
5. Roll up dough into one long roll. Cut rolls, using a piece of dental floss or thread, about two inches thick. Place rolls in greased 9X13 baking pans{usually about 2}. Now follow the exact same steps with the other half of the dough.
   
6. Let the rolls rise until double in bulk. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cinnamon rolls are golden brown on top and cooked in the middle. Every oven is different so check at 20 minutes to be safe, but it might take longer. You don’t want them to be doughy in the middle. Time will also vary based on how big they get during the second rise. Ours take closer to 28-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool to room temperature.
   
7. While the rolls are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, whisk together butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla. Frost the cooled cinnamon rolls generously!

If only you, child, could see inside my heart, only then you might be able to realize how much I love you. You every inch of you is loved more than you will ever understand. You see, every inch of you makes up who I am as your mommy. Every ounce of me works daily, 24/7 around the clock to be my best for you. 

You watch me day in & day out... Washing laundry, doing dishes, cooking, baking, cleaning, grocery shopping, reading books, playing, bathing you, driving you to school/sports/play dates, helping with homework, talking about how your day was {good or bad}, going to work. You see me at my best & at my worst.

I am your nurse, your chef, your tutor,  your counselor, your coach,  your cheerleader and I am your home, your safe place. 

There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you and that is no understatement. The love you are given on a daily basis is the unconditional kind. You will see me mad, upset, frustrated, overwhelmed, disappointed and you might think that I don't love you. But gosh if you only knew that is love in its hardest form. The love that teaches lessons, respect, common sense, compassion, integrity, confidence. It builds character and helps you to develops morals for your adult life. 

This is the part of loving you that keeps us up at night, the part that you don't see. The part of being a mommy that we beat ourselves up over. Asking ourselves questions like:

-did I handle that right? 
-was I too hard on him or her? 
-should I have been hard on him or her? 
-did I say the right thing? 
-I should've said this, this and this
-how will I handle this? 
-how should I approach this? 

Then there are the nights when we google everything under the sun. Things like bug bites, rashes, attitudes, timeouts, toddler tantrums, birthday decor/ideas, kid rooms, kid activities, sleep tantrums, you name it, it's been googled.

Every night I come into each of your rooms while your sound asleep and check on you to make sure your alright. My soul gets butterflies, tingles and shines. The feeling of pure joy that that little human being is a piece of you, you brought that little child into this world. You felt the worst pain of your life for that itty bitty being, yes you did that. Your an amazing, strong woman. Its now become your top priority to mold, and shape them into kind, respectful, fearless human beings that you will be forever be proud of no matter what. 

The most unique thing about being your mother is that you are also teaching me. Without even knowing what your doing you are molding me into the mother that I have become. The bond we share is like none other. We share tears, laughter, hugs, sadness, happiness, thoughtfulness. I will forever be grateful to you of allowing me to be the best I can to you & always loving me back. 

If only you knew that you, my child are my greatest adventure.

Photos all provided by kelly Q puckett photography
www.kellyqpuckettphotography.com