We always start Christmas day with homemade cinnamon rolls. Christmas morning just wouldn’t be the same without them. Everyone sleepy, happy, hungry. We slurp coffee or hot cocoa and lick our sticky fingers as we open our gifts. In the background, the constant re-playing of A Christmas Story on TNT – which, for some reason I never seem to tire of – adds to the bliss of the day.

Baked in my favorite cast iron skillet, these rich and buttery treats are satisfyingly sweet.  I start with an easy organic biscuit recipe from Our Ordinary Life, then use that to create a fast and easy Christmas morning treat.

Easy Homemade Organic Cinnamon Rolls

1-recipe Super Simple Organic Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

1/2 cup organic butter, softened

3-4 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon Wild Oats Marketplace Organic Ground Cinnamon

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons organic milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°. Follow instructions for making Super Simple Organic Southern Buttermilk Biscuits, up through the point of patting out the dough on a lightly floured surface.  Pat dough into a rectangle of about 1/4 inch thickness.

2. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, mix maple syrup with softened butter until incorporated and creamy. Spread mixture evenly over dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch of space all around edges. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly over butter mixture. Sprinkle with nuts, pressing gently to make sure they stick to the mixture.

3. Lightly flour hands. Then, starting at one long end, gently roll up jelly-roll fashion, pressing as needed to keep the roll together.

4. Using a serrated knife coated with cooking spray, cut into 12 slices. Place rolls into a lightly greased 10-inch cast iron skillet.

5. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Remove from oven.

6. Stir together powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons milk until spreadable but not thin. Add vanilla extract, stirring well to combine. Spread glaze over hot rolls and serve.

Make ahead tip. You can make the cinnamon rolls up to one day ahead by completing steps 1 – 3. Wrap cinnamon roll dough in foil that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Store in fridge. Let dough stand at room temperature about 30 minutes before continuing as directed in steps 4-6.