For a long time I have had a complex when it comes to Cinnamon Buns: They are one of my favorite things in the world, but they are a lot of hard work and waiting. This recipe however, has solved the complex. It is so easy and makes absolutely delicious, light and fluffy Cinnamon Buns. The best part is, all of the rising happens while you're sleeping! And it certainly feels just like Christmas morning every time you wake up to find perfectly proofed dough in your kitchen. :)

Step 1: The Dough

Ingredients:

210g Bread Flour (1 3/4 Cup)

1 Tsp Dry Active Yeast

2 Tbsp White Sugar

156ml Lukewarm Water *See notes below*

A Handful of raisins (1/2c) (*optional)

21g Melted Butter (2 Tbsp)

Extra flour for kneading

A few drops of oil for greasing

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine your flour, yeast and white sugar. Mix well to combine.

2. Pour in your luke warm water, raisins and melted butter. Mix well until a sticky dough forms.

3. Turn out your dough onto a generously floured work surface, knead for around 10 minutes using as much flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking.

4. Form dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl in cling film (saran wrap) and leave to rise in a warm place over night.

Notes:

*It is essential that your water is lukewarm and not too hot or cold or else the dry yeast could either denature (and not work) or fail to activate (and also not work). A good way to test that your water is the right temperature is to place a finger in it, if your water is blood-temperature you won't really be able to feel the water at all, and this is what we want.

Step 2: Filling Your Dough

Ingredients:

42g Melted (or softened) Butter (3 Tbsp)

1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp White sugar

1 Tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add both your sugars and your cinnamon to a bowl and mix until well combined.

2. On a floured surface, turn out your beautifully risen dough and roll out it out to form a rectangle around 1cm thick.

3. Liberally spread your softened (or melted) butter all over the dough, making sure not to leave any sides or corners bare.

4. Sprinkle a thick even layer of your cinnamon-sugar mixture through out your dough-rectangle. (Optionally sprinkle raisins or even nuts evenly across it as well)

5. Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough up into a a perfect little log.

6. Using a sharp knife, score the log in 3cm intervals, then using the scores as a guide cut the log into 3cm chunks, and marvel at the gorgeous cinnamon swirl on their insides.

Step 3: Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 175C (350F) before placing your lovely little cinnamon swirl parcels, swirl side up, in a lightly greased baking dish.

2. Brush each cinnamon swirl with a small bit more melted butter, before placing in the oven and baking for around 30 minutes.

*Disclaimer: These will make your house smell amazing.

Step 4: Glazing and Serving

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Powder Sugar

1/2 Tsp grated Vanilla Bean (or Vanilla extract)

1 Tsp Milk

Directions:

1. In a small bowl combine all of your ingredients and whisk together until a smooth glossy glaze forms. **optionally add more sugar and less milk for a thicker frosting*

2. Decoratively drizzle your glaze all over your Cinnamon Buns, and serve to happy family or friends while still warm.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. It's so terribly easy and would be perfect for Christmas morning since there is so little to actually do the morning of!

If you like this recipe and want to see more of my culinary creations please have a look at my blog: https://www.crackingyolk.com/ or my Instagram page @Madebyizie https://www.instagram.com/madebyizie/