Anna'S Sweet N' Sticky Cinnamon Buns - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 cup milk (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F.
Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine buttermilk and vanilla. Mix together applesauce and buttermilk with dry ingredients- stir until just combined.
Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth. Divide dough into two equal halves. Roll each half into a 15x8\" rectangle. Smooth half of the butter on rectangle. Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top of butter.
Combine sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of mixture over top of dough. Roll up dough in a jelly roll fashion. Pinch seam to seal. Cut roll into 1 1/2\" slices. Arrange slices, cut side up in a large, greased baking pan. Repeat all steps with other half of dough.
If desired, melt a small amount of butter and pour over top of buns. Sprinkle any remaining sugar mixture on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and pour milk over top of buns, if desired. Serve warm.