If you prefer a warm, sweet pastry in the morning, cinnamon rolls are a classic breakfast favorite that are sure to tempt your palate. While there are no shortage of frozen or pre-made cinnamon rolls in your local grocery store, making these treats from scratch is easier than you may think. This recipe is adapted from Paula Deen via The Food Network.

Dough ingredients:

1/4-ounce package yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup scalded milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter or shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling ingredients:

1/2 cup melted butter (plus more for pan)

3/4 cup sugar (plus more for pan)

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Optional 3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans

Glaze ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 - 6 tablespoons hot water

Heat oven to 350 degrees

First dissolve the yeast in warm water. In a separate large bowl, combine milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt, then add 2 cups of the flour and mix until smooth. Blend in the remaining flour until the dough forms. When the dough is ready, knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 - 10 minutes, then let sit in a well-greased bowl until it doubles in size (usually 1 - 1 1/2 hours).

After the dough rises, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to the shape of a 15 x 9 inch rectangle. Brush melted butter over the dough. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the dough. If you want to add raisins or nuts, this is when you would sprinkle them over the dough as well. Starting with the longer side of the dough rectangle, roll the dough and pinch the edge together to seal. Then cut the dough into 12 - 15 slices.