In Vermillion, South Dakota, people line up to buy baker Larry Smith's bread as soon as it comes out of the oven. For a grown-up brunch, forgo the frosting or serve it in a bowl for dunking. For children and sweet freaks, bring it on! Either way, prepare for laughter and tears and people following you home.
Servings: Serves 12
Ingredients
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter , softened
  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts , optional
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Directions
    Sprinkle the yeast and a pinch of the sugar over the warm water in a large mixing bowl; let stand until foamy on top, 5 to 7 minutes. In a small bowl, microwave the milk and butter until warm, 40 to 50 seconds (105° to 115°). Add the milk and butter mixture, the remaining sugar, and the egg to the mixing bowl. Add the flour, about 1 cup at a time (adding the last 1/4 cup flour if necessary), and salt and mix (5 minutes if using a dough hook, 10 minutes if kneading by hand) until firm but soft. The dough should gently spring back when poked. Do not over knead. Place the dough in a buttered bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.

    In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts until fluffy. On a lightly floured surface, press or roll the dough into a rectangle, about 17"x14". Spread the filling evenly to all edges, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one of the long edges of the dough. Roll up the filling-covered dough, starting with the side opposite the edge with the border. When almost finished rolling, slightly dampen the uncovered edge with water; crimp firmly to seal. (Roll will stretch to 22"x3".) Using a serrated knife, cut crosswise into 12 thick slices.

    Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a large jellyroll pan with parchment paper. Transfer the buns to the pan, spacing evenly. Cover lightly with a towel and let stand 30 to 45 minutes, until buns are slightly puffed (not doubled). Bake 25 minutes or until golden.

    In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove buns from the oven and allow to cool just 5 minutes, then frost.
    From the September 2002 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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