Philadelphia, PA - These are easy to make ahead. You have two choices: you can make the dough and chill up to 2 days, then shape, let rise, and bake, as described in the recipe, OR you can make the dough, chill for 2 hours, then shape, cover with plastic wrap that is sprayed with nonstick spray and chill for up to 2 days.
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4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/3 cup sugar
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2 envelopes Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
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1 teaspoon salt
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3/4 cup milk
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1/2 cup water
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1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup butter OR margarine
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2 eggs
Cinnamon Filling
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2/3 cup sugar
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2 teaspoons Spice Islands® Ground Saigon Cinnamon
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Vanilla Icing
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2 cups powdered sugar
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3 to 4 tablespoons milk
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1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
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Decorations such as colored icings, sprinkles, or candies
Directions
Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt in a large mixer bowl. Heat milk, water, and 1/3 cup butter until very warm (120° to 130°F); butter does not need to melt. Add to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter; grease top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or up to 2 days.
Remove dough from refrigerator and punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Set aside 1 half. Roll remaining dough into a 16x10-inch rectangle. Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter; brush 2 tablespoons over dough. Sprinkle evenly with half of the cinnamon filling. Beginning at the long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll; pinch seam to seal. With a sharp knife, cut the roll into 16 equal pieces. On the lower third of a large greased baking sheet, arrange 5 rolls, cut sides up, in a row with edges touching. Form tree shape with additional rows of rolls - 4 rolls in the second row, 3 rolls in the third row, 2 rolls in the fourth row, and 1 for the top of the tree. Place remaining roll at the bottom center of the tree to make the trunk. Repeat with remaining dough, butter, and filling. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until done, switching positions of sheets halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; let cool on wire racks. Drizzle with Vanilla icing. Decorate "trees" with colored icings, sprinkles, or candies if desired.
Cinnamon Filling: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir well.
Vanilla Icing: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.
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