Share a Spoon - Let's do Brunch

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Happy Thursday Smackers!
It's Share a Spoon Brunch!
Brunch is an event.  It's not breakfast, and it's not lunch, it's something special.  I mean, brunch just sounds fancy right?  Just because it sounds fancy doesn't mean it has to be though.  Some of the simplest food is the most amazing food!
I think going out for brunch on Sunday is special.  Sleep in late.  Get up, take your time and let someone else do all the work.  Heck yeah!  Sign me up!  However, that's not necessarily cost effective for those of us on a budget.  Going out like that is an indulgence.
Brunch is typically an indulgence as well, or at least it is for my family.  It's sweet and savory and AH-MAZEBALLS!  I mean, seriously?  Brunch out somewhere usually includes pastries, alcoholic beverages, juices, coffee drinks, fresh fruits, lots of cooked PORK products.  What could be better?
We all know I'm all about dessert.  I mean, it's the whole point of the meal.  So, brunch is the one time where it's totally acceptable to serve a dessert item as a meal!  Aaannnnd, alcoholic beverages are totally acceptable too?  C'mon! Just to balance it out we'll throw a nice salad or a couple slices of fresh fruit in!  *wink wink*
One of my favorite brunch item is brown-sugared bacon.  *sigh*  Yum.  I use thick sliced bacon.  I always cook my bacon in the oven.  350 degrees until desired crispness is achieved.  Everyone likes their bacon different.  I use a pastry brush and brush on some dijon or deli mustard.  Just a thin layer, then sprinkle with brown sugar.  HEAVENLY, I promise!
Fake out recipes are the best.  This isn't really a recipe, but you coffee drink lovers will appreciate this one.
Fake-Out Mocha Latte
1 pk Hot Chocolate w/Marshmallows2 tablespoons heavy whipping creamfresh brewed coffeewhip creamchocolate syrup
In a coffee mug add hot cocoa mix and heavy cream.Brew your favorite fresh coffee.Fill coffee mug 3/4 of the way up with coffee.Stir until all the cocoa mix is incorporated.Top with whip cream and drizzle a little chocolate syrup.
Breakfast pastries are the perfect accompaniment to a great coffee drink.  Right?  Right!  I love them all.  Muffins.  Cheese danish.  Croissant.  Doughnuts.  My favorite though....cinnamon buns!  Oh how I love them!

 Brandee's Cinnamon Rolls(pronounced Cinna-mina-mina-mon)
Dough:1/2 cup warm water1 teaspoon sugar1 teaspoon salt1 pkg active dry yeast
2 cups warm whole milk2 teaspoons real vanilla extract1/2 cup granulated sugar1 stick room temperature butter2 extra large eggs7 cups all purpose flour3/4 c all purpose flour 
In a tabletop stand mixer bowl add the first four ingredients and allow the yeast to foam.  (5 minutes)
Warm the two cups of whole milk in the microwave for 1 minute.  Add the vanilla.  Stir and add to the mixer.  Add the sugar, butter, eggs.  
Turn the mixer on low.  Slowly add 3 cups of flour.  Let mix until the dough is smooth and all the ingredients are well mixed.  It should look like cake batter at this point.
Add the next 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time until all the flour is completely incorporated.
The dough should be very sticky.  
Turn the sticky dough out on a flour surface.  Knead the additional 3/4 cup flour into the dough.  (May not take all of it.)  Until the dough is soft and elastic and not too sticky to form a ball.
Grease a bowl.  Roll the dough ball in the oil and cover with a clean dish towel.     
Let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size (about an hour).  I usually leave mine on the stove top and turn the oven on.
Punch the dough down.  Turn out on a floured surface.  Separate the dough into two equal parts.  Roll each piece out into rectangles roughly 9X15.
Cinna mina mina mon filling:1 stick butter melted cinnamon6 teaspoons granulated sugar3 teaspoons cinnamon1/2 cup dark brown sugar1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup golden raisins1 stick of butter melted
Spread the melted butter in equal parts on each of the rolled out dough pieces.  Sprinkle each with cinnamon liberally. 
Mix the 6 tsp. of sugar and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon and sprinkle over the butter and cinnamon.
Top with equal parts of both raisins and brown sugar.
Roll from the long side until the seam is on the floured surface, making a perfect log.
Trim the ends.  Cut in half.  Cut each half in half.  Cut each quarter into thirds, making 12 equals sized rolls per log, for a total of 24.
Spray cake pans with cooking spray.  Either 2 9X13 pans or round pans, whichever you have on hand.  Place rolls evenly spaced apart.
Brush all the rolls with the melted butter.  
Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size.  (45 mins - 1 hour)
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until nicely golden brown.

Cream Cheese Frosting:1 8oz pkg cream cheese softened1/2 stick butter softened2 cup Confectioner's sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 Tablespoon whole milk
Cream together the cream cheese and butter.  Add the milk and vanilla and whip together.  Slowly add the Confectioner's sugar until completely smooth and creamy.
Spread evenly over the baked rolls.  These are especially fun treat while still warm, however, they are still wonderful when completely cooled!

Now, it's your turn!  Share your brunch favorites, dishes or beverages!  *wink*