Another Request

This was requested by a young lady named Sally. Sally wants a good recipe for Cinnamon Buns. Well I've got one with a tiny Italian twist. Hope this recipe meets with your approval Sally.

CINNAMON BUNS

1/2 cup Crisco shorting
2 cups of scalded whole milk
2 large eggs lightly beaten
1 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp white sea salt
1 cup mashed potatoes, no salt
2 tbsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
7 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup pecan nuts, medium chopped
1/2 cup candied citrus (orange or lemon is great). This is the Italian touch.
4 tbsp softened unsalted butter
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

First scald the milk, Then remove from the heat. Using a whisk, dissolve the shorting in the milk.
Set aside and let cool to lukewarm.
Carefully pour milk mixture into a glass large bowl.

Still using the whisk, stir in the beaten eggs, salt, mashed potatoes and 1 cup of sugar.

Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and stir into the mixture.

Using a wooden spoon, stir in the, citrus fruit, raisins, nuts and the flour. At this point use your hands and mix for 5 minutes kneading the dough until well combined and a smooth dough is formed. Do Not Over Work.
Place plastic wrap over bowl and place bowl in a warm draft free place and let the dough rise for 1 hour.
Lightly flour your bread board and turn the dough out onto the board.
Roll into a rectangle shape, about 12 inches by 8 inches and is about 1/2 inch thick. Using a off set spatula spread the softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle the 1 tbsp of sugar and the cinnamon over the butter.

Starting on the long side of dough, gently roll the dough jelly roll style, seam side down.
Slice into 12 pieces. Place the pieces in a large (12 x 8 inch) glass baking dish.

Cover with a very slightly damp,(light weight), kitchen towel and allow the buns to double in size. This should take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake the buns for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
When done remove the buns to a wire cooling rack.
Can be served warm or cooled.