Instructions

Activate Yeast

1. It's not necessary if you have instant dry yeast, but I like to do it. So warm up milk for about 20 seconds in the microwave-safe bowl or a cup until warm to the touch, then add sugar and dried yeast.
2. Mix and allow the yeast to start to bubble.
3. When you see yeast get bubbly and thicken on the top it is ready. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes, depending on the temperature. Never use hot milk or water.

Prep Dough

1. Measure and combine flour, salt, and sugar. Mix it.
2. Place everything in the stand-up mixer bowl.
3. Make a small well in the middle and add activated yeast.
4. Using the kneading attachment of your mixer start mixing slowly while adding 2 mixed or beaten eggs, room temperature/soften butter, and water mixed with oil.
5. Adjust the mixer to a higher speed and keep kneading for about 3-4 minutes or until the dough is becoming a ball and pulling away from the sides of the mixer bowl.
6. Do not overmix, there is no need. The dough will be softer to the touch.
7. Transfer dough to a well-oiled larger bowl and cover. Place dough either in the oven or microwave so it could rise. If your oven has a proof setting this is a perfect time to use it, if not just keep it in the turned-off oven. Allow it to rise for the first time for about 45 minutes.
8. It will double in size. Knead, then allow it to second proof for another 45 minutes, knead, cover, and place in the fridge for about 6-8 hrs/overnight before making rolls.
9. You do not have to chill the dough however they do come out so much better, plus it is easier to roll out. After chilling let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before rolling out.

Filling

1. Roll out dough to (0.635cm) 1/4 inch thick. The size is approximately (38cm) 15 inches wide and (53cm) 21 inches long.
2. Spread room temperature butter from one end to the other evenly. You can slightly soften it in the microwave if it's not at room temperature.
3. It would hard to spread if it is not. On top of the butter, add brown sugar and press in the dough a bit, then add cinnamon. If you like raisins or a sprinkle of crushed nuts this would be a good time to add. Make sure to soak raisins ahead.
4. Slowly roll the dough until you reach the end. Pull ends to have an even end. Slice it in half, then cut the cylinder into 12 to 14 equal slices.
5. Place cut side up and evenly spaced 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
6. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to let rise for at least 30 minutes to one hour.

Baking

1. Preheat oven to 350F and bake them for 30 minutes. This also depends on your oven, and baking dish.

If you are baking in the ceramic dish like I did, then bake at a lower temperature, I would do the same if you choose to bake it in cast iron, however, for a regular metal baking dish I would go to 375F and bake for about 25 minutes or until they are nicely golden brown.

Icing

1. While the rolls are baking make the icing. I like it with a cream cheese-based, so you would just mix it until nicely blended.
2. For regular sugar-based, whisk together the cream, sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth.

Transfer the pan of cinnamon rolls to a cooling rack. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. Drizzle or spread the icing all over the rolls and serve immediately.

Instructions

1. Slice bread into half lengthwise slices, if necessary, or slice French bread into slices, 1-inch each.
2. Using a larger baking pan with deeper sides, butter well with on the bottom and the sides.
3. Mix the eggs, heavy cream, sugar, pinch of salt, cinnamon.
4. Dip each slice of the toast into the French toast mixture, then arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. You may use two smaller pans as well.
5. Pour the rest of the mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered pretty evenly with the creamy mixture. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to Overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes at 350F. After 40 minutes, add cinnamon apple over the casserole and bake uncovered for additional 20 minutes.
8. Drizzle French Toast Casserole with Blackberry Patch Syrup, garnish with some fresh fruit such as blackberries, and dust with a generous amount of powdered sugar, if desired.

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON APPLES:

1. Peel apples, core, and dice. It doesn't have to be small chunks.
2. Add sugar and cinnamon and cook on low medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until the apples are your desired tenderness. You do not want mushy apple sauce so just make them until they are tender but still hold their shape.
3. Take off the heat and set aside until ready to be used.