Giant Skillet Cinnamon Roll and a Fair Trade Giveaway!

You guys. I'm so excited about today's post because there are so many good things to talk about!

First of all, Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I've teamed up with my friends at Fair Trade USA  (along with some other fabulous bloggers) for a virtual Mother's Day brunch. I developed this recipe especially for the occasion, and I have to tell you, I may never bake individual cinnamon rolls ever again. My favorite part of a cinnamon roll is the soft, flaky interior, and - guess what. You get more of that when you make one giant cinnamon roll! And you can slice it like cake! I really love how all those beautiful layers separate ever-so-slightly on the plate. It's irresistible when smothered with orange-zested cream cheese glaze (I swoon!).

Second, there's a giveaway involving some of the best stuff around - products that are really worth using! I buy Fair Trade whenever possible, not only because the products add quality to my baking, but also because it positively impacts the lives of Fair Trade workers. There are a great number of women who work for Fair Trade companies, including moms who are working to provide better lives for their families. This virtual brunch is our way of honoring them. And all moms, really!

Fair Trade certified, means the products come from workers that are justly compensated. Below are some of the best teas, coffees and snacky foods I've ever tasted, and we're giving the whole stash away to one lucky winner! You'll get the same delicious Fair Trade cinnamon and muscovado sugar that I used in this skillet cinnamon roll. And just take a look at this Prana embroidered scarf.  It's even prettier in person.

Giveaway is open to US residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There's a friendly little competition going between the participating bloggers, too. So you can help me out by re-pinning my image here!

Now to even more good stuff - step-by-step instructions for the skillet cinnamon roll. You'll see my process below, and I hope it will serve as a helpful guide while you make your own!

The entire process is a little messy, but well worth the end result. The muscovado sugar really punches up the brown sugar flavor, so it's worth seeking out next time you're at the grocery store.

Just look at that landscape of swirly goodness up there. I can't wait to try out different versions of this skillet pastry. Maybe I'll hide some Guittard Fair Trade chocolate between the layers next time.

Giant Skillet Cinnamon Roll 
with Orange-Cream Cheese Glaze
[click for printable version]
Yield: One 12-inch skillet cinnamon roll
Source: My Mom's cinnamon roll recipe plus my original glaze recipe
Prep 2 hours; Total 2 hours 30 minutes

Dough
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (90-110°F)
2 eggs, room temperature
6 cups all purpose flour, sifted
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup moscovado sugar (or dark brown sugar) and 
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon mixed together

Glaze
4 oz. cream cheese, slightly melted4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2-4 tablespoons hot milk
2 teaspoons orange extract
Zest of one-half organic orange

1. For the dough, heat milk, 1/2 cup sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar melts and a few small bubbles appear at the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool while you prepare the other elements.
2. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in very warm water (90°F to 110°F) in the bowl of a standing mixer (or a large bowl if you don't have a stand mixer). Stir with the paddle attachment (or wooden spoon) until well blended. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. Beat eggs into yeast mixture. Stir in cooled milk mixture (it should be lukewarm), switch to the dough hook then add in flour a little at a time until dough is elastic. Add melted butter and mix, then add in more flour until dough is elastic and pulls away from the sides of the mixer. Note: you may  not have to use all the flour. Do not add so much flour that  the dough does not stick to your hands. Set a timer and knead with the dough hook (or knead with hands on a floured surface) for 5 minutes. 
4. Place dough in a buttered bowl and turn it over to coat the entire surface. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place 1 hour or until doubled (mine took a little longer than an hour to double).
5. Punch down dough and turnout onto a lightly floured surface. Knead a few times and cut into two pieces. Roll out each piece to 12x9-inch rectangles. 
6. For the filling, brush the rolled dough pieces with the melted butter. Sprinkle each with half the cinnamon sugar mixture. 
7. Cut the each dough piece into 5 even strip lengthwise. Roll one strip up as if you were making a regular cinnamon roll. When you get to the end, use another strip and continue rolling. When the dough spiral reaches about 6-inches in diameter, (3-4 strips-worth of spiraling) place it in the center of a  lightly greased 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Continue spiraling dough strips around the middle. This is a messy job, but just embrace the mess. It'll be well worth the end result.
8. When all the dough has been used, cover and let rise about 45 minutes or until doubled.
9. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until golden. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't over-bake! (Note: Some of you are reporting longer bake times. It's important that this roll gets baked long enough so it isn't doughy in the middle. Allow the top of the roll to become deep golden brown, and then place a sheet of aluminum foil over the roll so it can bake longer without over-browning.)
10. Whisk together glaze ingredients, adding additional milk as needed. Glaze pastry in the pan while it is still hot. Add additional orange zest if desired. Slice into pieces and serve while still warm.

Fair Trade prize package courtesy of :

Allegro Coffee, Guittard, Nutiva, BarkThins, prAna, sweetriot, Numi Organic Tea, Frontier Natural Products, Choice Organic Teas, India Tree, Honest Tea.

link Giant Skillet Cinnamon Roll and a Fair Trade Giveaway! By Heather Baird Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Giant Skillet Cinnamon Roll and a Fair Trade Giveaway! Recipe