Vanilla Coils

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups Milk (Whole milk recommended)
• 2.25 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (Equivalent to 1 packet)
• 6 cups All-Purpose Flour (Approximately, plus more for dusting)
• 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (Melted, plus more for greasing)
• 0.25 cup Lard (Can substitute with shortening or more butter)
• 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Egg (Large)
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Confectioners' Sugar (For glaze)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (For glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Boiling Water (For glaze, or more as needed)

Instructions

1. 1In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm (about 105-115°F).
2. 2In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.
3. 3In a large bowl, combine 3.5 cups of flour with the yeast mixture. Beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon or stand mixer until a smooth batter forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. 4After the dough has risen, add the melted butter, lard (or shortening), sugar, egg, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl. Gradually add the remaining flour (about 2.5 cups), mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. 5Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for another 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. 6Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Brush the dough with melted butter. Fold the dough from the ends toward the center, creating three layers. Cut the dough into strips about 3/4 inch wide. Twist each strip from the ends in opposite directions, then shape into a coil.
7. 7Place the coils in buttered baking pans, leaving some space between each. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
8. 8Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the coils for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. 9While the coils are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, boiling water, and vanilla extract until smooth.
10. 10Remove the baked coils from the oven and let cool slightly in the pans. Brush the warm coils with the vanilla glaze. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.