Betty's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

1. Stage

Make the dough: Whisk warm water and yeast together in a bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over top and whisk until well incorporated. Set aside until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, 10 to 20 minutes.

2. Stage

Combine warm milk, 2/3 cup sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, eggs, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add yeast mixture and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. Mix in 4 cups flour on medium speed until dough is completely smooth, about 5 minutes.

3. Stage

Transfer dough to a large bowl. Knead remaining 4 cups flour into dough with your hands until dough is slightly stiff and sticky, about 10 minutes.

4. Stage

Grease another large bowl. Place dough into the greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

5. Stage

Remove plastic wrap from the bowl and punch down dough. Set dough aside to rest for 5 minutes.

6. Stage

While the dough is resting, make the filling: Mix pecans, sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

7. Stage

Roll dough out onto a well-floured surface, forming a 15x20-inch rectangle. Brush the entire surface with remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, then sprinkle filling mixture over top. Starting at the long end, tightly roll dough over filling and pinch the edges together to seal. Use dental floss to cut roll into 18 pieces.

8. Stage

Prepare the baking dish: Brush melted butter over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle sugar over melted butter.

9. Stage

Arrange cinnamon rolls, cut-sides up and close together, in the prepared baking dish. Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

10. Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

11. Stage

Bake rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

12. Stage

While the rolls are baking, make the glaze: Beat confectioners' sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and maple extract in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.