"Little Darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter..."

So it definitely HAS been a very long and cold winter here on the east coast, and what's the best way to bring warmth to your home on cold and snowy days when you can stay in? If you have a fireplace, that's one way to do it, but if you're like me and don't have one, the next best thing is baking, of course! The following recipe for Glazed Cinnamon Buns is guaranteed to impress, and bring warmth into your home on any cold night! Even though spring is coming (at least I'd like to believe that it is...!) don't wait till next winter to make these, they are AMAZING! One of my favorite things to bake! Hope it becomes one of your favorites too!

Glazed Cinnamon Buns

(adapted from Taste of Home)

*Makes 12 buns*

Dough Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast (3/4 oz or 7g)

1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup warm water

3/4 cup warm milk

1/2 cup softened butter (4 oz or 113g)

1 egg

1/8 cup honey

1 tsp salt

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Filling Ingredients:

3 tbs softened butter (about 14g)

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon (you can add more if you'd like a more intense cinnamon flavor)

1/4 cup to 1/2 cup raisins (again, you can add as much as you like)

Glaze Ingredients:

(You may have some glaze left over with these measurements)

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tbs softened butter (NEEDS to be soft)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (you can use 1 tsp if you want a stronger vanilla flavor)

3-4 tbs milk

Directions:

First make your dough. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, egg, honey and salt. Start adding flour in portions, and mix in your mixer on low speed for a couple of minutes. It should make a soft, elastic dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead for 6 - 8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (for about an hour).

Punch the dough down, and on a floured surface, roll out into a rectangle (size should be about 14-in x 8-in or 35cm x 20cm). Now you can start with the filling - spread the 3 tbs of softened butter over the dough. Combine brown sugar with cinnamon and raisins, and sprinkle evenly over the dough, leaving a thin border around the edges.

Roll the dough up jelly-roll style (starting with the long side) and pinch the ends so they seal and your filling doesn't leak. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 12 equal slices. Place the slices (cut side down) into a greased baking dish (about 8-in x 11-in dish). Cover with a cloth kitchen towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 deg F (or 176 deg C) for 25 - 30 minutes, until the buns are golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and enough milk to give the glaze the consistency you want. Drizzle over the buns evenly.

And that's it! Easy to make, delicious to eat and share with your friends and family! They are best eaten warm, but you can always reheat them too! Happy baking!