In Italy, food plays an important part of observing the New Year – can I get a “duh”? The customs vary from region to region but some of the major items never change. Sweet bread or cake is served in most parts of Italy. This food item symbolizes prosperity and hope for New Year. Lentils are considered very lucky and are served with the New Year meal. So for good luck, Italians wear something red (preferably red underwear), eat sweet bread/cake, and lentil soup on New Years.
Since most people don’t start their New Year diet officially until January 2, here’s one last guilty pleasure before the New Year’s resolutions begin. It is deliciously decadent and the perfect sweet food to bid the holidays goodbye.
You don’t have to guess whether I’ll be wearing something red, having the last bite of cinnamon roll, and eating lentil soup!
Yields 24
Save RecipeIngredients
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour + a little for handling
- 2½ tablespoons cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- 1½ cup confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ½ tablespoon vanilla
- ? teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Once the yeast has proofed, stir in melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour into yeast mixture. Gently mix until well-combined.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-12 minutes. (I only kneaded for about 10-12 times - not minutes).
- Form the dough into a large ball and place into a large buttered glass bowl. Cover lightly with plastic or with a tea towel and place in a warm location free of any drafts. Allow to rise so that the dough is doubled in size. (About an hour)
- Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle generously all over the buttered dough.
- Tightly roll the dough, beginning at the long edge, until a log of dough has been formed.
- Cut the dough into 1-inch slices and place onto a lightly buttered sheet pan.
- Allow rolls to rise for 30 minutes on sheet pan.
- Place rolls into oven and allow to cook until lightly browned and cooked through, but not overcooked, about 15-20 minutes. (Mine were done in 15 minutes.)
- While cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting by creaming together butter, confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and salt. (I forgot the salt. I was really distracted this day maybe suffering from a sugar high or too many limoncello martinis the night before.)
- Remove cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Spread frosting generously over rolls while they are warm.
Notes
Stand Mixer Instructions: Use your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook once the yeast has proofed. Stir in melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Gently mix until well-combined. Continue using the dough hook to knead dough in mixer for 6-8 minutes. Continue on with the recipe as instructed.
Nutrition
