Tasty Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are delicious ... but they are high in fat, which is probably why they are very tasty!  Just plan on running 5 miles for each one you eat :)

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen rolls

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1/2  cup sugar
• 1     tsp salt
• 1     package active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1    cup milk
• 1    cup of butter (2 sticks)
• 2    tsp vanilla extract
• 2    eggs
• 1    cup brown sugar
• 1    cup dark seedless raisins
• 4    tsp ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1.  In large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast, and 1 cup flour.
2. In 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat milk and 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) until very warm (120 - 130 degrees F).  Butter does not need to melt.
3. With mixer at low speed, gradually beat liquid into dry ingredients just until blended.  Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes
4. Beat in vanilla extract, 1 egg, and 1 cup of flour to make a thick batter; continue beating 2 minutes, scraping bowl often.
5. With wooden spoon, stir in 2 cups flour to make a soft dough
6. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, working in more flour (about 1/3 cup).
7. Shape into ball; place in greased large bowl, turning to grease top.
8. Cover; let rise in warm place (80 - 85 degrees F) until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours
9. Punch down dough
10. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; cut dough in half; cover and let rest 15 minutes.
11. Grease 2 large cookie sheets.  In small bowl, mix brown sugar, pecans, raisins, and cinnamon.
12. In small saucepan over low heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter or margarine (1 stick).
13. With floured rolling pin, roll half of dough into 18" by 12" rectangle. Brush with about a third of melted butter; sprinkle with half of brown-sugar-raisin mixture. From 18-inch edge, roll dough jelly-roll fashion; pinch seam to seal.  Cut roll into 9 slices, ~ 2 inches wide each.  Repeat with other half of dough.
    
14. Place rolls 2 inches apart on cookie sheets; cover; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
15. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
16. In cup, beat remaining egg; with pastry brush, brush rolls
17. Bake rolls 20 minutes or until golden brown
18. Remove rolls from cookie sheets; cool on wire racks

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