Our Favorite Cinnamon Rolls: Iowa State Fair blue ribbon winner

My family has always loved cinnamon rolls.  I have no idea how many different recipes I have tried.  One claimed to be just as good as the Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.  They were pretty good, but I kept looking.  One day I ran across this recipe.  The secret: mashed potatoes and potato water.  The potatoes give them moisture, that makes them simply irresistible

To top it off, our favorite, cream cheese frosting!

Frosted Cinnamon Rolls

(These won the 2008 Tones contest at the Iowa state fair, and were featured in the Waterloo paper.)

Makes 24 rolls

Rolls

1 cup mashed potatoes from 2 med. sized potatoes

1 cup warm potatoe water

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup hot water

2 envelopes Fleischman's Active Dry Yeast

1/2 cup warm water

2 eggs

8 1/2 - 91/2 cups flour

Filling

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Icing

3 cups powdered sugar

6 tablespoons butter softened

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

5 - 6 tablespoons milk

Combine potatoes, potato water, butter, sugar, salt & hot water in large mixer bowl. Stir till butter melts; set aside and let cool. Combine yeast and 1/2 cup warm water in small bowl. Add eggs, 2 cups of flour and yeast mixture to potato mixture. Continue adding flour, 1 cup at a time until soft dough forms.

Knead on a lightly floured surface untill smooth and elastic (about 6 -8 minutes), or knead with an electric mixer using dough hook. Place in a greased bowl turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm and draft free place about 1 hour or till doubled in size.

Punch dough down; divide in half. Roll one portion of dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12 X18 rectangle. Spread with 1/2 the butter, combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle 1/2 the mixture over surface & roll up tightly, sealing the edges. Cut into 12 slices and place on 13 X 9 pan. Repaeat with remaining dough.  Cover and let rise 30 to 45 minutes. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, combine icing ingredients and drizzle over finished rolls.

ENJOY!!  

(and try not to eat the whole pan by yourself)

Melissa