Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas

My husband's family liked to have cinnamon rolls from one of those places in the mall.  For many years, my mom and I have run out to the store on Christmas eve to get them.  I decided this year that they were just too expensive and too many calories so I decided to make my own.  I searched on the internet for tons of different recipes.  I decided on a recipe that I was going to make but the best laid plans don't always follow through with family in town.  We were out all day running errands so I didn't get started in time to make the recipe.  I pulled out a card from my husbands 6th grade home ec class. 

He had tried to make these for me unsuccessfully previously but I decided that it would magically work if I did it in the bread maker.  The recipe was a little unclear and I would have been better off with the online recipe and staying up all night.  If you think that this part is bad, the back doesn't even have measurements.  I put everything in the bread maker and waited.  It wasn't working so my mother and I added warm water by spoonful.  At the end of the cycle, the dough wasn't really doughy and it hadn't risen.  I went to bed upset and really heart broken that I had ruined this family tradition because I was too lazy and cheap to buy them at the store.  After tossing and turning and not getting any sleep, I decided to go downstairs at 4 am on Christmas morning.  I decided that I would go into the bread maker and throw away the big mess that was my failed Cinnamon Rolls but there was a risen dough in the container instead of the blob that was there when I went to bed.  I got the dough out and rolled it out.  I was still in awe that it was working.  I melted the butter and got out the cinnamon, sugar, and brown sugar.  I followed the limited instructions.  Put a wet cloth over the pan and stuck it in the oven to rise.  I decided to sneak back into bed to see if I could get some rest.  When we woke up, they looked wonderful.  I started the oven and we got these wonderful rolls:

I was amazed that they turned out so great.  I had already prepared the cream cheese glaze for the top but my husband insisted that he would like his without the icing so we individually applied the icing.  My mom said that they were better then "that place in the mall."  My dad ate it and said nothing.  My husband said that they were good.  Later when I heated up one up with icing, I made him try it and he said that it tasted like the place I am not naming :)  I am so excited.  I guess I will try to make these again and get a better "recipe" then what I currently have.  I will certainly share my version the best that I have to share but I can't set an expectations or they may be crushed like I was going to bed on Christmas Eve.

Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls

1 cup water
1 beaten egg
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 c shortening (might melt this next time to make more liquid)
3 3/4 cup flour
6 tbsp sugar
1 package Rapid Rise Yeast

Add to the bread machine in the order listed and set to dough cycle.  When the dough has risen, roll out into a rectangle.  Top with melted butter, cinnamon and sugar.  Roll up and cut into rolls.  Line pan with butter and brown sugar.  Place cut rolls vertically in the pan (yup- direct quote from the recipe card).  Cover with plastic and damp towel (I didn't use plastic wrap).  Refrigerate (I didn't because I only had a few hours until they were going to be baked).  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. 

I hope that you are more successful then my try but I know that I will be better next time!!!!  I hope that you enjoy the story and the recipe :)  Here is to hoping that the next holiday won't be so exciting!