Yeast is amazing.

The past few weeks feel like we are go go go all the time. At least two things every night and all the errands to run on my lunch and after work. It doesn't seem to stop. So Saturday when we planned for some vaccines, I didn't plan much for after. What better to do than to bake something fun. I've wanted to give the butter block another try since my last attempt went well. While the layers in the final product weren't as clear as last time - the layers were worth their effort and the rise these rolls had was amazing. They were soft and flakey and so good. The glaze was fine - but I would have preferred something cream cheese based - Bronwyn was thrilled I didn't put the glaze on all of the rolls in the pan, Andy was content with the glaze amount. All in all it was a really fun bake. Watching them rise up and over the glass dish was amazing. Yeast is amazing. Let's do more bakes just for fun!

Croissant Cinnamon Rolls

½ cup butter softened slightly
1 cup milk
⅓ cup all purpose flour
1 packet instant yeast
¼ cup warm water
4 cups all purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
¼ cup canola or flavorless oil
½ tsp fine sea salt
Filling
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla paste or extract
Pinch fine sea salt
2-3 tablespoons milk

In a pot, whisk together the ⅓ cup flour and the milk. Let cook until thickened, stirring as needed. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the yeast and warm water, sprinkle a pinch of sugar over it and stir. Leave it until it foams, about 3 minutes.
Add the flour, and remaining dough ingredients to the bowl then add the flour paste. Knead on medium for about 5-7 minutes until the dough comes together in a sticky ball. Set in an oiled bowl and cover to rise for about 2 hours (until doubled in size).
Meanwhile make the butter block:
Spread the butter into a thin layer between two sheets of parchment paper, do your best to get it to be about 9x12”. Set it in the fridge to chill for at least 20 minutes before you start folding.
On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 13x18”. Place the butter about half an inch from one side of the dough. It might take some work to get it off the parchment, do your best. Use your fingers to smear it into an even layer.
Fold the dough in half, like you’re closing a book.
Use your fingers to press the edges so the butter stays sealed.
Now fold it like a letter, bring the bottom third up and over the middle.
Then the top over the middle as well.
Now fold the dough over itself like you’re closing a book again. Wrap in plastic wrap and set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to rest.
Roll out the dough again into a large rectangle, as thin as you can get it (aim for another 13x18 but it probably won’t go that far).
Fold it over from one of the shorter sides over the middle (like a letter but vertical).
Fold the other side over the middle.
Fold the bottom up so you have more of a square.
Wrap in plastic wrap and set in the fridge for about 45 minutes.
Melt or brown the butter, then combine with the sugar and cinnamon.
Try rolling out the dough into a large rectangle again, if it is very tough and resists cover it with a tea towel and let it rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes. You can also try stretching it with your hands & knuckles like a pizza dough.
Grease a 9x13 cake pan (I like to use the back of the butter wrapper).
Spread the filling over the dough and roll it up into a log.
Use unwaxed dental floss to slice the dough into about 1” rounds. Place each round into the pan, leaving an inch between them.
Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge for 12 hours.
In the morning, take the pan out of the fridge and leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake the rolls for about 40 minutes, until dark and golden.
Whisk all the ingredients together then spoon and spread over the rolls.