Amazing Cinnamon Buns (Rolls)

This is a tried and true recipe. You won't believe how incredible they are...Moist, huge, delicious, out of this world. Better than Cinnabons!

• Ready In: 4 hrs
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 16 rolls

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 3  tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1  tablespoon active dry yeast (2 .25 oz. pkts.)
• 1  teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1  cup water (110 degree)
• 1  cup  warm milk
• 2⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 2⁄3 cup  melted butter or 2⁄3 cup margarine
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 2  eggs, slightly beaten
• 8  cups all-purpose flour (at most)
• 1⁄2 cup  melted butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped walnuts (optional) or 1 1⁄2 cups pecans (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup  melted butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 4  cups powdered sugar
• 2⁄3 cup  melted butter or 2⁄3 cup margarine
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6  tablespoons hot water (up to 6 T)

Directions

1. Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar and the cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoons sugar in warm water; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together milk, 2/3 cup sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, salt, and eggs; add yeast mixture and 4 cups of flour to mixture; beat until smooth; stir in enough flour to form a slightly stiff dough.
4. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead for 8 minutes or mix in a machine.
5. Place dough into a large greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
6. Punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes.
7. Roll dough out onto a floured surface into an approximately 15" X 20" rectangle.
8. Brush 1/2 cup melted butter over dough; sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over dough; sprinkle nuts evenly over dough, if desired.
9. Tightly roll up dough and pinch edges together to seal; cut the roll into about 16 slices using dental floss or thread.
10. Coat the bottom of a 13" X 9" X 2" baking pan with 1/2 cup melted butter; sprinkle 1/3 cup sugar evenly in the bottom of the pan.
11. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the prepared pan; cover pan and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
12. Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. Stir together powdered sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, and extracts; stir in hot water, 1 Tbls. at a time, until the glaze reaches desired spreading consistency.
14. Spread prepared icing over slightly cooled rolls.