make overnight cinnamon pecan rolls

you still have time to do this before the holidays. they are not too hard and very, very tasty on a rushed holiday morning. 

dough

1 c milk (warmed a bit)

1/4 c warm water

1 t vanilla

1/2 c butter, room temperature

2 eggs, room temperature

1/2 t salt

1/2 c sugar

5 c flour

4 t yeast

mix everything above with a mixer or by hand for about 10 minutes. if you mix by hand, it will be sticky - be careful not to add to much extra flour, just knead, knead, knead and it will be beautiful.

let the dough rest covered for 10 minutes.

roll out into a long rectangle - about 15X24

rub 1/2 cup of softened butter all over the dough, leaving a unbuttered edge along the long side. 

sprinkle with filling.

filling

1 c packed brown sugar

4 T cinnamon

up to a cup of chopped pecans 

(there is so much possibility in the filling - you can alter the spices, add all sorts of dried fruits, or different nuts - go crazy).

roll up long ways. cut 12 - 15 rolls using the dental floss trick.

put into a 9X13 buttered pan and press down. cover with saran wrap and refrigerate until morning. 

in the morning

put into a cold oven and set to 350 (take off the saran). cook for 35 minutes. 

make some frosting if you want

i just beat up:

1/2 block of cream cheese

1 few T of butter

about a cup of powdered sugar

vanilla

orange zest

* i got this recipe in an exchange i participated in several years ago from kristin. we have made them for the last 3 or 4 Christmases and love them. they are highly anticipated!