Giant Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Giant Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 1 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast; 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 2 teaspoons honey; 1-1/2 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°); 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup mashed potatoes; 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten; 2 teaspoons salt; 7-1/2 to 8 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour; Dash salt; 1/2 cup butter, softened; VANILLA ICING:; 3 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/4 cup 2% milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract; Dash salt

As a young newlywed, I thought I'd take it upon myself to make cinnamon rolls because I thought that was the hallmark of a good baker. The rolls were dense like hockey pucks and somewhat flavorless. Our dear black lab Annie wouldn't even eat one. I practiced for a couple of months and entered a contest at the Iowa State Fair, and I won! —Cristen Clark, FoodandSwine.com

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 teaspoons honey
1-1/2 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons salt
7-1/2 to 8 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
Dash salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
VANILLA ICING:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Dash salt

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and honey. In a large bowl, combine milk, sugar, butter, potatoes, eggs, salt, yeast mixture and 4 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased large bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
For filling, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, flour and salt. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 24x12-in. rectangle. Spread butter to within 1/2 in. of edges; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices.
Place in 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans (6 slices per pan), cut side down. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake until lightly browned, 25-30 minutes, covering loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking. Cool in pan 30 minutes. In a small bowl, mix icing ingredients; drizzle over rolls.