Circus Animal Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (180g) warm milk (for the dough)
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp/7g) (for the dough)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for the dough)
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temp (for the dough)
• 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted (for the dough)
• 1 tsp vanilla (for the dough)
• ~ 3 cups (360g) all purpose flour (only add more if needed) (for the dough)
• 3/4 tsp salt (for the dough)
• + 1/3 cup warm heavy cream to pour over the rolls right before baking (for the dough)
• 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, softened (for the filling)
• 2/3 cup (145g) brown sugar, packed (for the filling)
• 2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar (for the filling)
• 1 1/2-2 tsp cinnamon (for the filling)
• 1 tsp vanilla (for the filling)
• + crushed mothers circus animal cookies (to sprinkle) (for the filling)
• Icing: (halve this if you prefer less) (for the filling)
• 8oz (226g) cream cheese, room temp (block style, not spreadable) (for the filling)
• 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, room temp (for the filling)
• 7oz (1 jar) marshmallow fluff/creme (for the filling)
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar (for the filling)
• 3/4 tsp vanilla (for the filling)
• Pinch of Salt (for the filling)
• Pink food Coloring (for the filling)
• + valentines nonpareils & mothers frosted cookies for topping (I used the valentines “puppy love” edition) (for the filling)

Instructions

1. This recipe turns a classic childhood cookie into the cutest cinnamon rolls for valentines!
2. Combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5-10 min until foamy.
3. Add eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, mix.
4. Stir in salt and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Knead the dough for 8-10 min.
6. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1 1/2 hrs or until doubled.
7. For the filling, mix the soft butter, both sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla until combined/spreadable.
8. Roll dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
9. Spread the filling evenly and sprinkle the crushed cookies all over.
10. I like to use a pizza cutter or knife to first slice 8 pieces then roll them each up tightly.
11. (Or you can tightly roll the whole thing then slice)
12. Place in greased 9x13 pan.
13. Cover and let rise ~45 more min.
14. Pour warm heavy cream over the rolls right before baking.
15. Bake at 350°F for 22-28 min until golden.
16. To make the icing, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
17. Then, beat in marshmallow fluff, powdered sugar, food coloring, vanilla, & pinch of salt until fully combined.
18. Spread over the warm rolls. Top with nonpareils & cookies.