A sweet cinnamon treat with morning coffee, afternoon brunch, or after dinner dessert.

Cinnamon Love Knots

Ingredients:

Dough:

½ cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)

½ cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees) (preferably whole milk)

2 packages active dry yeast

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon salt

4½ to 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for work surface

Topping:

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

2 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Tip:  Use standard measuring cups and spoons or scales for accurate measuring.

Directions:

Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, warm milk and yeast; stir and let sit until yeast is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt; beat until mixture is smooth. Add 2 cups flour; stir until well mixed. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
   
   
2. Turn dough onto a lightly floured pastry mat or pastry board; knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky.
   
   
3. Place dough in a well greased bowl; turn dough over once to grease the top. Cover bowl with a small kitchen towel and let dough rise is a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
   
   
4. Prepare two 13x9x2 inch oblong pans; lightly grease the pans with shortening.
   
   
5. Punch dough down then turn onto a lightly floured pastry mat or pastry board; knead dough briefly, 4 to 5 times.
    
6. Divide dough into three portions. From each portion, divide dough into 12 pieces, and shape each piece into a ball. Roll each ball into an 8 inch rope.
   
   Topping:
7. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. 
   
   
8. Dip one rope into the melted butter, and then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Tie the rope into a knot; tuck the ends under and place on the baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
   
   
9. Cover and let knots rise is a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
   
   
10. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    
    Bake:
    
11. Bake knots 15 to 20 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Remove rolls from oven. Place pan on wire cooling racks to cool.
    
    Makes 36 knots
    
    TheBakingPan.com
    __________________________________________________