We are continuing with the Zombie Takeover theme. A BIG, BIG thank you to author Tera Shanley and friends! Today we extend a warm welcome to T.A. Brock who is not only sharing a SUPER teaser from her zombie romance Brutal, but also Gram’s Cinnamon Roll Recipe.
I LOVE the aroma and taste of cinnamon and it is without doubt my favourite spice, so I am very tempted to whip up this recipe! Don’t forget to enter the super rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post where a $5 Amazon gift card is up for grabs, a signed copy of Tera Shanley’s Love in the Time of the Dead and e-books by Tera Shanley and T.A. Brock. Tina ❤
A Sweet Proposal and Gram’s Secret Cinnamon Roll Recipe
In Brutal, there is one especially unique marriage proposal. Our loveable, irresponsible zombie, Leiv, decides to break Riser Law and marry a human. If she’ll have him, that is. Armed with a cinnamon roll (which she is especially fond of) and a diamond ring, he attempts to convince Iraina Lukin to spend the rest of her human life with him:
Now, since Iraina’s love for cinnamon rolls came from her experiences with her beloved Gram’s, I’ve included the top secret recipe. See for yourself if Iraina’s claims that Grams’ cinnamon rolls have the “power to move mountains” is true!
Gram Lukin’s Cinnamon Rolls
Dough Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 envelope instant or ‘rapid rise’ yeast (approx. 2 1/4 tsp)
1 egg
Cinnamon-Sugar Filling Ingredients:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
4 Tbsp. butter, (completely) softened
Icing Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp. milk
To Make The Dough & Filling:
Combine milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute, then remove and stir. Continue heating in 20 second intervals, pausing after each to stir, until the butter is melted and the milk is warm to the touch but not hot. If needed, let the milk mixture sit for a few minutes until it is warm but not hot.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, sugar, and salt until combined. In the bowl of a stand mixer (*see note below for an alternative method of making this by hand*) fitted with the dough hook attachment, add yeast and lukewarm milk mixture and stir by hand to combine. Add the flour mixture and egg, and beat on medium-low speed until combined. If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough begins to form a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Continue beating for 5 minutes on medium-low speed. Remove the dough hook and cover the bowl with a damp towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, make your filling by whisking together sugars and cinnamon in a bowl until combined.
When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured work surface. Then use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 14 x 9 inches in size. Spread the softened 1/2 cup of butter out evenly over the entire surface of the dough. Then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
Beginning at the 14-inch edge, tightly roll up the dough. And then give the final seam a little pinch so that it seals. Cut the dough into 11 or 12 equal pieces. (11 rolls seem to fit in a pie plate, while 12 rolls fit in a rectangular pan.)
Place each of the cut cinnamon rolls into a greased pie plate or 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Then cover again with a damp towel, and leave the dish in a warm place to rise for 25 minutes.
While the dough is rising, make the icing (instructions below). When the rolls have risen, uncover the dish. Then place on the center rack of the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden and cooked through. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes. Drizzle with icing and serve.
Make Icing:
Whisk together butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until combined. If the icing is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk to thin. If the icing is too thin, add a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar to thicken.
**If you do not have an electric stand mixer with a dough attachment, you can simply stir the ingredients together, and then knead by hand for 5-7 minutes.
Love At The End of Days:
Fatal:
Super Giveaway
Up for grabs are a $5 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Tera Shanley’s Love in the Time of the Dead and e-books of Love in the Time of the Dead and Love at the End of Days by Tera Shanley and Fatal and Brutal by T.A. Brock.
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